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Business Card Title for EIT's

Business Card Title for EIT's

Business Card Title for EIT's

(OP)
Any suggestions on titles for EIT's other than "Engineer in training"?

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Leave off the Title until you get your PE would be the safe thing to do.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

If your not working for a consultant, use engineer (I can hear some crying wrong, wrong, wrong now).

Otherwise I guess you have to use highly qualified, paperless enjineer (misspelled on purpose).

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Here in OK, you can't use Engineer on your cards unless either you have a P.E. License or your company has a Certificate of Authorization.

Also, TX has been fining engineers that have their license from another state.  You might be safe down there if you put that your P.E. is from the state you actually have the license in.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

(OP)
Nothing creative out there?  Designer, associate, technician...

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Not putting EIT on the business card will be in one's favor because indicating it, others "may" assume he/she is a rookie.

In California, non licensed engineers (in structural engineering discipline) are often called Design Engineer or Structural Designer.  Licensed PE's (not SE) may be called Project Engineer or Civil Engineer but not Structural Engineer.  Only licensed Structural Engineers may call themselves Structural Engineer or S.E.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

"Staff Engineer"?

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

(OP)
Tick - a lot of other firms in my area (Colorado & California) use "Staff Engineer".  I think technically that is a violation of the PE act.  Any comments?

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Engineer is widely used by many companies (illegal or not). Technically it might be wrong if your working at a consulting firm but its not working at an OEM. I think you will find even non-PEs in some consulting firms are still using engineer for their juniors. Fact is, these rookie engineers are probably not interacting with the customer much and even if they were and they have a PE signing for them, nobody is going to care one way or the other.

This subject has been beaten, battered, and buried. There are many threads dicussing using the term engineer in ones title. I think the consensus is, yes some places it is illegal, but no one ever says anything about it (except BobPE and a few others - where are you Bob?) and many companies do use the word engineer for their non-PEs (almost all OEM's give their engineeers the title of 'engineer' even if no PE). Also, I honestly dont think this is illegal. Laws are written, regarding engineering, thinking of only the consulting world and I honestly doubt they meant to include OEMs. If they did, to bad because everyone does it and rightfully so (except in the consulting world).  

You have to come up with your own title? What titles has your company used in the past?

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

In some states, The Board for Registration of Engineers encourages their PE's, and EIT's to take any business card that has the title of "Engineer" and send it to them if the person on the card doesn't have their PE.  

The board will either go after the non-licensed engineer and/or the company they work for.  That is why it is suggested to use something that doesn't look like you are trying to pass off that you are a PE.

How about rather than putting your title, you put "Engineering Department" or whatever your department's title is so whoever you pass the card to knows which department you work in.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

(OP)
Thanks Buzz, good insight.

We are a consulting firm, I am the owner and this is our first non-PE hire.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

You might run it by your board of engineers.  They don't mind to ansewer questions on what would be a legal title in your state.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Even if you are employed by a PE firm, you likely fall under industrial exemption.  You are working for a firm, and you are not soliciting your services as an engineer to the public.  You are paid by your employer, not your customers.  You have no customers other than your employer.

I don't now exactly what CO or CA law says, but as long as you aren't "for sale to the public", it doesn't matter what you are called in most states, as long as it's not "professional engineer".

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Over a year ago New Jersey sent a seasonal newsletter to all its licensees indicating that it is illegal for non-PEs to refer to themselves as "engineers". This created quite a stir with my employer, who has substantial work in the state of New Jersey. More than half our engineering staff is unlicensed. If we were to follow New Jersey's law to the letter, we would have to revise all our proposals to eliminate the "engineer" title from our unlicensed staff. We would also have to eliminate the "engineer" title from their business cards as well. I subsequently sent an email to the New Jersey Board, asking what title we should give to our unlicensed staff. We received no answer. For me, its a non-issue as I am a New Jersey PE.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Here in Oklahoma, it is legal for Engineering firms and companies to title their non-PE employees as engineers as long as the firm or company has a Certificate of Authorization from the Board of Registration of Engineers.  TheTick's post reminded me of this issue.

The bottom line is each state is different, so you will need to double check with your board.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

"In some states, The Board for Registration of Engineers encourages their PE's, and EIT's to take any business card that has the title of "Engineer" and send it to them if the person on the card doesn't have their PE.  

The board will either go after the non-licensed engineer and/or the company they work for.  That is why it is suggested to use something that doesn't look like you are trying to pass off that you are a PE. "

Hmmm....Better send the board to every OEM in the country (microsoft, HP, ABB, Siemens, etc..). Everyone one of their people who are engineers (not necessarily registered) have engineer in their title. This whole idea of engineer being illegal to use for non-PEs is simply ridiculous based on what I just said. However, in the consulting world it is not so clear.

I think if you sat down with the 'board' and asked them a more detailed question you would probably get a more detailed answer. They probably assume you are working in the consulting world (what else is there in their eyes?) and answer appropriately.

I like how they try to control the word engineer. Every PE I know, has PE next their name on their business card right above their title. Pretty clear to tell the PEs from the non-PEs by merely looking at this.

As suggested, call your board and tell them what your dilemma is and see what they say. Me, I would give them a title of junior engineer.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

buzzp

A lot of those engineers are covered by the fact that the OEM has a Certificate of Authorization from the Board of Registration.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

do they really need a title?

when i was an eit i had a bussiness card with my name and company name " blah blah associates -  structural enginners". period. no title. come to think of it my current card has no title just a pe after my name  

there are so many different titles that no one really knows what they mean anyway. unless it is principal or partner. the rest are just window dressing- at least in the small consulting engineer companies i know

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

We could really use a national PE registration in the U.S.

In Wisconsin, it is not a matter of titles.  It is a matter of whether that individual is purveying engineering services to the public.  This is a fair distinction, in my opinion.

Reminds me, I should report my old supervisor, half-educated schmuck who started his own design engineering firm with no degree or PE.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Slugger,
 Better check again, most of those engineers have nothing to do with a states 'Board of Registration'. I have worked with many of them at one time or another from various large OEMs. These Boards seem to have little power and many ALL encompassing rules for ALL engineers, PE or not. Problem is, they have no way to enforce it. It is a wise choice not to enforce such a ridiculous rule when an equal portion of engineers do not need a PE nor would it benefit them or the public to have one. Some of you guys talk like the rules set by these boards encompass exempt areas, they do not.
Working on both sides of the fence, I understand both perspectives and the system is fine the way it is (no matter what the board says). Most that say PEs are required to have engineer in your title are from an all consultant background and really are under developed when it comes to understanding engineering in general.
This is all I have to say on this subject.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

I did not see any mention of the term graduate engineer.  Check your state regulations for this title.

John

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Go ahead and put EIT on your cards but you will feel like a dork when you get your PE and see your old cards floating around.  

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

What about the practice of some companies who used to
promote technicians to engineers so they don't have to
pay them overtime ?

<nbucska@pcperipherals DOT com> subj: eng-tips
read FAQ240-1032

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Rules are different everywhere. I am an EIT in Alberta and our governing body recently approved the use of the word engineer providing it is preceded by the word "junior". My business card reads Name, B.Eng, EIT. That is followed by Systems Design Engineering (the department I work in).

SB63 - I won't feel like a dork when I get my PEng, because I'll be proud to pass my new card onto my clients. I will also have to pass on new cards after I get married so it's not a big deal. Get over yourself.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

I would be insulted to be called a "Junior Engineer".  I did not graduate from a "College of Junior Engineering".  There is no special curriculum for junior engineering.  How about lawyers who have not yet passed the bar?  Do their business cards title them as "Junior Lawyer"?

If you are not registered, omit a title from the business card.  People will know what you are and what you do when they meet you and work with you.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

It is customary for someone who is starting out to be referred to as a junior employee. Then you get promoted to an intermediate position then senior. There is nothing wrong with referring to someone as junior. You are crazy. Can a lawyer who has not passed the bar practice law? Don't you have to put in a bunch of time articling or clerking (whatever it is they do).

Since I did spend so much time in "College for Regular Engineers" I want people to know what I have studied and where my expertise lies. I have no shame in letting people know that I am just starting out and that I am being mentored by other professionals in my field.

What is wrong with being in the learning stages of your career?!? Why is that insulting?

On a side note, how much experience do you need to write your PE exam in the US? It may be different than up here, because everyone first needs to register as an EIT (shamelessly) and have 4 years experience before you can write the PEng exam.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

almacphe,

It's only customary because engineers like you accept it.  If you are happy being referred to as a junior engineer, good for you.  You are selling yourself short.  Maybe you can tatoo "Learner" across your forehead.  You will never get anyone's respect if you tell them you are a junior engineer.  It's hard enough being a female engineer in a predominately male industry.  Being a female, junior engineer must be even harder! (I assume you are female from your marriage/name change comment.  If not, sorry.)

A lawyer who has not yet passed the Bar (a glorified paralegal?) can probably do staff work or support work similar to an engineer who doesn't have a P.E. license.  An engineer who has not passed the P.E. test can't offer his services to others as a P.E.  He or she can however work as a staff engineer under a licensed engineer.  But you won't find any staff lawyers or junior lawyers in court unless they passed the Bar or unless they are carrying the lead attorney's bags.  You don't see lawyers running around telling people that they haven't passed the Bar exam and that they are junior lawyers.

Have fun telling the world you are a junior engineer.  Everyone will know immediately that you have no authority when you are dealing with them.

Finally, the requirements for getting a P.E. license "down here" are very similar (EIT + experience + P.E. Test).

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

I do not like the term "junior engineer" myself.  Regardless of how many years of experience you have, you are "junior" to some.  Its relative I suppose.

Going to the original post, if I were an EIT I wouldn't put it on my business card.  I also wouldn't want Junior Engineer.  Good title may be Design Engineer, Civil Designer, or just plain Engineer.

Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, or Professional Engineer can only be used in the business card once it is earned.  It does not guarantee the individual's competency, however.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

According to a monthly SEAoT meeting in texas several months ago, associate engineer is acceptable for EITs.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Why must we keep trying to invent titles for graduate engineers who are not yet registered?  Pay, satisfaction, and respect are what matter, not titles.  Call me what you want, just pay me and treat me right.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

"Why must we keep trying to invent titles for graduate engineers who are not yet registered?"

We dont have too, their called 'engineers'. Flipping crazy.

RE: Business Card Title for EIT's

Are new intern doctors called Junior Doctors?  Are there Junior Architects?

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