Editing Engineer (section)

==Definition by country==
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2021|talk=Perception}}
[[File:Gerhard_Thieme_Archimedes.jpg|thumb|right|[[Archimedes]] is regarded as one of the leading scientists in [[classical antiquity]] whose ideas have underpinned much of the practice of engineering.]]
The definition of the term "engineer" varies across countries and continents.

=== Asia and Africa ===
In the [[Indian subcontinent]], Russia, Middle East, Africa, and China, engineering is one of the most sought-after undergraduate courses, for which entrance examinations are highly competitive.

In Egypt, the educational system makes engineering the second-most respected profession in the country (after medicine); engineering colleges at [[Egyptian universities]] require extremely high marks on the [[Thanaweya Amma|General Certificate of Secondary Education]] ({{langx|ar|الثانوية العامة}} ''al-Thānawiyyah al-`Āmmah'') – in the order of 97 or 98 per cent – and are thus considered (along with the colleges of medicine, natural science, and pharmacy) to be among the "pinnacle colleges" ({{lang|ar|كليات القمة}} ''kullīyāt al-qimmah'').{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}

In the Philippines and [[Overseas Filipino|Filipino communities overseas]], engineers who are either Filipino or not, especially those who also profess other jobs at the same time, are addressed and introduced as ''Engineer'', rather than ''Sir/Madam'' in speech or ''Mr./Mrs./Ms.'' (''G./Gng./Bb.'' in Filipino) before surnames. That word is used either in itself or before the given name or surname.

=== Europe ===
[[File:Brunel.jpg|thumb|right|upright|19th-century engineer [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] by the launching chains of the [[SS Great Eastern|SS ''Great Eastern'']]]]

{{as of|2022}}, thirty two countries in Europe (including nearly all 27 countries of the EU) now recognise the title of "European Engineer" which permits the use of the pre-nominal title of [[European Engineer|"EUR ING"]] (always fully capitalised). Each country sets its own precise qualification requirement for the use of the title (though they are all broadly equivalent). Holding the requisite qualification does not afford automatic entitlement. The title has to be applied for (and the appropriate fee paid). The holder is entitled to use the title in their passport. EUR INGs are allowed to describe themselves as [[professional certification|professionally qualified]] engineers and practise as such in any of the 32 participating countries including those where the title of engineer is regulated by law.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

==== France ====
[[File:Gustave Eiffel 1910.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Gustave Eiffel]] was a French civil engineer]]
In France, the term {{lang|fr|ingénieur}} (engineer) is not a protected title and can be used by anyone who practices this profession.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pourrat |first=Yvonne |date=2011-04-01 |title=Perception of French students in engineering about the ethics of their profession and implications for engineering education |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252002766 |access-date=19 February 2019 |website=ResearchGate |language=en}}</ref>

However, the title {{lang|fr|ingénieur diplomé}} (graduate engineer) is an official academic title that is protected by the government and is associated with the ''[[Diplôme d'Ingénieur]]'', which is a renowned academic degree in France. Anyone misusing this title in France can be fined a large sum and jailed, as it is usually reserved for graduates of French engineering ''[[grandes écoles]]''. Engineering schools which were created during the French revolution have a special reputation among the French people, as they helped to make the transition from a mostly agricultural country of late 18th century to the industrially developed France of the 19th century. A great part of 19th-century France's economic wealth and industrial prowess was created by engineers that have graduated from [[École Centrale Paris]], [[Mines Paris - PSL|École des Mines de Paris]], [[École polytechnique]] or [[Télécom Paris]]. This was also the case after WWII when France had to be rebuilt. Before the "réforme [[René Haby]]" in the 1970s, it was very difficult to be admitted to such schools, and the French {{lang|fr|ingénieurs}} were commonly perceived as the nation's élite. However, after the Haby reform and a series of further reforms ([[Modernization plans of French universities]]), several engineering schools were created which can be accessed with relatively lower competition.

Engineering positions in France are now shared between the {{lang|fr|ingénieurs diplomés}} graduating from engineering {{lang|fr|grandes écoles}} and the holders of a [[master's degree]] in science from [[List of public universities in France|public universities]].

==== Italy ====
[[File:Umberto_Nobile_1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Umberto Nobile]] was an [[aeronautical engineer]] and Arctic explorer]]
In Italy, only people who hold a formal engineering qualification of at least a bachelor's degree are permitted to describe themselves as an engineer.  So much so that people holding such qualifications are entitled to use the pre-nominal title of "{{lang|it|Ingegnere}}" (or "{{lang|it|Ingegnera}}" if female - in both cases often abbreviated to "Ing.") in lieu of "Signore", "Signorina" or "Signora" (Mr, Miss and Mrs respectively) in the same manner as someone holding a doctorate would use the pre-nominal title "Doctor".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Streppa |first=Eliana |date=2017-08-16 |title=Una top 19 di Ingegneri nella storia |url=https://sciencecue.it/top-19-ingegneri-nella-storia/11994/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=ScienceCuE |at=8. [[Emma Strada]], la prima donna in Italia laureata in Ingegneria |language=it-IT}}</ref>

==== United Kingdom ====
In the UK, the practice of engineering is not a regulated profession but control of the titles of [[Chartered Engineer (UK)|chartered engineer (CEng)]] and [[Engineering technologist#United Kingdom|incorporated engineer (IEng)]] is regulated. These titles are protected by law and are subject to strict requirements defined by the [[Engineering Council]]. The title CEng is in use in nations of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] that follow or adapt British professional codes.{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}

Many skilled and semi-skilled tradespeople in the UK, including, for example, [[engineering technician]]s who service [[Major appliance|domestic appliances]] or telephone systems, call themselves engineers, and the term in that context is commonly used by the public.{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}} Proposals such as a 2015 [[UK Parliament petitions website|petition]] to the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK parliament]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Make 'Engineer' a protected title |url=http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/6271 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104312/http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/6271 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=3 January 2012 |work=Petitions – UK Government and Parliament}}</ref> to legally protect the title "engineer" so that only professional engineers could use it have been unsuccessful ({{As of|2023|lc=yes}})

=== North America  ===

==== Canada ====
In Canada, engineering is a regulated profession whose practice and practitioners are licensed and governed by law.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Engineers Canada |url=https://engineerscanada.ca/about/about-engineers-canada |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=engineerscanada.ca |publisher=Engineers Canada}}</ref> Licensed professional engineers are referred to as P.Eng. Many Canadian engineers wear an [[Iron Ring]].<ref>"[https://ironring.ca/home-en/ The Calling of an Engineer]", ''[[The Corporation of the Seven Wardens]]'', Retrieved November 29, 2022</ref>

In all Canadian provinces, the title "Professional Engineer" is protected by law and any non-licensed individual or company using the title is committing a legal offence and is subject to fines and restraining orders.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2015 |title=Engineering licensing body clarifies the use of the term "engineer" following reported dismissal of Hydro One employee |url=https://www.peo.on.ca/engineering-licensing-body-clarifies-use-term-engineer-following-reported-dismissal-hydro-one |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408064317/https://www.peo.on.ca/engineering-licensing-body-clarifies-use-term-engineer-following-reported-dismissal-hydro-one |archive-date=8 April 2022 |access-date=15 July 2020 |website=peo.on.ca |publisher=[[Professional Engineers Ontario]] |language=en}}</ref> Contrary to insistence from the Professional Engineers Ontario ("PEO") and Engineers Canada, use of the title "Engineer" itself has been found by Canadian law to be acceptable by those not holding P.Eng. titles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Assn. of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (Council of) v. Merhej, 2003 ABCA 360 (CanLII)|url=https://canlii.ca/t/1g18s|access-date=2022-11-29}}</ref><ref>Section (3)(f) of the [https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p28 Professional Engineer Act of Ontario] does not prevent people form using the title Engineer. (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to prevent a person, (f)&nbsp;from using the title "engineer" or an abbreviation of that title in a manner that is authorized or required by an Act or regulation. It does prevent Professional Engineer title under section 2 of the act.</ref>

The title of engineer is not exclusive to P.Eng titles. The title of Engineer is commonly held by "[[Software engineering|Software Engineer]]",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Computer Software Engineer in Canada {{!}} Job requirements - Job Bank |url=http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/explore_career/job_market_report/job_requirement_report.xhtml |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=www.jobbank.gc.ca |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> the [[Canadian Armed Forces|Canadian Military]] as various ranks and positions,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Are We? {{!}} Canadian Military Engineers |url=https://cmea-agmc.ca/who-are-we |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=cmea-agmc.ca}}</ref> [[Railway engineering|railway locomotive engineers]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Train Engineer in Canada {{!}} Labour Market Facts and Figures - Job Bank |url=http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/explore_career/job_market_report/summary_occupation_report.xhtml |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=www.jobbank.gc.ca |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Stationary engineer]] and [[Aircraft maintenance engineer (Canada)|Aircraft Maintenance Engineers]] (AME), all of which do not commonly hold a P.Eng. designation.

==== United States ====
[[File:Kitty Joyner - Electrical Engineer - GPN-2000-001933.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Kitty Joyner|Kitty O'Brien Joyner]], electrical engineer at [[NASA]] (1952)]]
In the United States, the practice of professional engineering is highly regulated and the title "professional engineer" is legally protected, meaning that it is unlawful to use it to offer engineering services to the public unless permission, certification or other official endorsement is specifically granted by that state through a professional engineering license.<ref name="whatis">{{cite web |title=What is a PE? |url=https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/what-pe |access-date=May 19, 2022 |website=[[National Society of Professional Engineers]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Spanish-speaking countries ===
[[File:Baltasar_Mena_Iniesta_playing_his_guitar_at_UNAM.jpg|thumb|right|[[Baltasar Mena Iniesta]] a [[Spain|Spanish]]-born [[Mexico|Mexican]] mechanical engineer specialized in [[Rheology]]]]

Certain Spanish-speaking countries follow the Italian convention of engineers using the pre-nominal title, in this case "{{lang|es|ingeniero}}" (or "{{lang|es|ingeniera}}" if female). Like in Italy, it is usually abbreviated to "Ing." In Spain this practice is not followed.

The engineering profession enjoys high prestige in Spain, ranking close to medical doctors, scientists and professors, and above judges, journalists or entrepreneurs, according to a 2014 study.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lobera |first1=Josep |last2=Torres Albero |first2=Cristóbal |title=Percepción social de la Ciencia y la Tecnología 2014 |date=2015 |publisher=FECYT |pages=218–240 |url=https://icono.fecyt.es/sites/default/files/filepublicaciones/18/articulo9_epscyt2014_-_j._lobera_y_c._torres_-_prestigio.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315130354/https://icono.fecyt.es/sites/default/files/filepublicaciones/18/articulo9_epscyt2014_-_j._lobera_y_c._torres_-_prestigio.pdf |archive-date=2020-03-15 |url-status=live |access-date=22 April 2021 |chapter=El prestigio social de las profesiones tecnocientíficas |language=es}}</ref>