An international perspective on U.S. licensure of software engineers

In order to protect the public from adverse effects, several U.S. states will now require licensure for certain software engineers working on such critical systems. In particular engineers offering services directly to the public, either as sole practitioners or through some form of small business entity must be licensed. Software professionals who work on critical systems through a corporate or government entity do not typically need to be licensed because the employer retains the obligation and liability for protecting the public. The paper deals with the licensure of Professional Engineers from other countries and cross recognition of licensure across nations.