If Oregon's Professional Engineer statutes are similar to Texas, Illinois, and other states I'm familiar with, as long as he is not hanging out a shingle advertising himself as a provider of Engineering Services, he can state he is an engineer in communications like this one where he is not getting paid for the analysis he did. This is misuse of the law by overzealous bureaucrats both at the state PE bureau and the local city where he analyzed the traffic light. The city is getting back at him for embarrassing them. I hope every 'crat involved is fired, but I won't hold my breath.
It is a stretch, but not much of a stretch the way their law is written.
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors672.html 672.007 Acts constituting practice of engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping. For purposes of ORS 672.002 to 672.325:
(1) A person is practicing or offering to practice engineering if the person:
(a) By verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card or in any other way implies that the person is or purports to be a registered professional engineer;
(b) Through the use of some other title
implies that the person is an engineer or a registered professional engineer; or
(c) Purports to be able to perform, or who does perform, any service or work that is defined by ORS 672.005 as the practice of engineering.....
672.020 Practice of engineering without registration prohibited; seal required. (1) In order to safeguard life, health and property, no person shall practice or offer to practice engineering in this state unless the person is registered and has a valid certificate to practice engineering issued under ORS 672.002 to 672.325.
(2) Each registered professional engineer shall, upon registration, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying. Every final document including drawings, specifications, designs, reports, narratives, maps and plans issued by a registrant shall be stamped with the seal and signed by the registrant. The signature and stamp of a registrant constitute a certification that the document was prepared by the registrant or under the supervision and control of the registrant....
672.045 Prohibited activities relating to practices of engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping. A person may not:
(1) Engage in the practice of engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping without having a valid certificate or permit to so practice issued in accordance with ORS 672.002 to 672.325.
(2) Falsely represent, by any means, that the person is authorized to practice engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping.
(3) Present or attempt to use the certificate or permit of another or the seal of another.
(4) Attempt to use an expired or revoked certificate or permit.
(5) Falsely impersonate any registrant of like or different name.
(6) Practice engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping when not qualified.
(7) Buy, sell or fraudulently obtain any certificate or permit required by ORS 672.002 to 672.325.
(8) Aid or abet the buying, selling or fraudulently obtaining of any certificate or permit required by ORS 672.002 to 672.325.
(9) Engage in the practice of engineering, land surveying or photogrammetric mapping under cover of a certificate or permit obtained or issued fraudulently or unlawfully or under fraudulent representations or mistake of fact in a material regard.
(10) Give any false or forged evidence of any kind to the State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying or to any member of the board in obtaining or attempting to obtain a certificate or permit required by ORS 672.002 to 672.325.
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In Texas, it is more clear. You cannot claim to be an engineer without being registered. You cannot create the impression that you are
§ 1001.301. License Required
(a) A person may not engage in the practice of engineering unless the person holds a license issued under this chapter.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (f), a person may not, unless the person holds a license issued under this chapter, directly or indirectly
use or cause to be used as a professional, business, or commercial identification, title, name, representation, claim, asset, or means of
advantage or benefit any of, or a variation or abbreviation of, the following terms:
(1) “engineer”;
(2) “professional engineer”;
(3) “licensed engineer”;
(4) “registered engineer”;
(5) “registered professional engineer”;
(6) “licensed professional engineer”; or
(7) “engineered.”
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (f), a person may not directly or indirectly use or cause to be used an abbreviation, word, symbol,
slogan, or sign that tends or is likely to create an impression with the public that the person is qualified or authorized to engage in the
practice of engineering unless the person holds a license and is practicing under this chapter.
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My experience is this is rarely enforced outside of doing actual work.
