It is true Greg that some engineering does not have to be performed by one who is licensed as such in certain situations, but that is not the case here.
And as for the lawyers, this is not one for their call, but the individual state boards where the projects are located. This is recognized princple in the professional engineering community that has been established by state statures that an engineer must be licensed in the state where the
project is, not just where the
engineer has his office and does the work. And that is the problem here, and it is VERY basic. That is why we have to get licensed in each and every state we practice. No different than an attorney or doctor in that regard. I have to agree with Ron and JAE here.
Personally, I think the issue needs to be brought before a few state boards as formal complaints. The individual states that he is licensed in California, but mentions no others. That IS an issue for projects in other states. He is advertising as a professional engineer on the internet that reaches all 50 states, as well as other countries, and he is taking compensation for his services. That incurs the reliance of the client on his judgement and services, and professional liability. The courts would not expect a homeowner to know that an engineer must be licensed in the state where the project is (to the same level as a professional engineer), but they would expect a professional engineer to know that, and they would hold him to it ovr the homeowner.
Seems to me that liability would be one H300 of a problem here a this individual has absolutely no way to verify the conditions of beam loading or lateral design other than the testimony of the owner or person asking for the solution.
I would be very interested to know if, outside of California, any of his work was submitted to a local jurisdiction and was suuccessful in obtaining a building permit.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
