The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Surveyors and Engineers was made aware of a situation in which an individual formerly employed as an engineer by a manufacturer (and thus with an "industrial exemption" from engineering licensure requirements) has given free public testimony on technical matters in a lawsuit. The Board responded that "the definition of engineering includes testimony if engineering education, training or experience is required to render the testimony," and such testimony would require a license. The Board initiated an investigation of unlicensed practice. The individual has now filed a federal lawsuit against the Board, claiming a violation of First Amendment free speech rights.
June 23, 2021
