Electrical engineering education and certification, validation, and licensing

Evidence is accumulating that legislative actions will result in new requirements for practicing electrical engineers and electrical engineering educators. These requirements will include registraction and licensing as professional engineers for both groups as well as proof of up-to-date competence before relicensing. Such requirements will provide problems as well as opportunities for electrical engineering educators. The problems are associated with responding to the new require ments while retaining some degree of control over and responsibility for the educational programs. The opportunities are available because continuing education will play an important role in the relicensing of practitioners as well as their career development. This paper will dis cuss the many ramifications of the interface between government, the public, practicing electrical engineers and electrical engineering educators.