> Lawyers, doctors, and engineers are all required to pass tests before they can practice.
Nitpick: Until they can practice on their own. They need to practice under supervision for a certain period of time before they can even take the final tests or otherwise receive final certification.
Also, engineers have the "industrial exemption". In most cases, if you work for a company (and thus do not provide services directly to the public) you do not require a license.
> Finally, and probably most importantly, professional are subject to fiduciary obligations to their clients that require a minimum standard of professional conduct--if they mess up, they can (and do) get sued for malpractice.
This I have an issue with; are you claiming that no one who works for a company is a professional? That to be considered a professional you must offer your services directly to the public?
Nitpick: Until they can practice on their own. They need to practice under supervision for a certain period of time before they can even take the final tests or otherwise receive final certification.
Also, engineers have the "industrial exemption". In most cases, if you work for a company (and thus do not provide services directly to the public) you do not require a license.
> Finally, and probably most importantly, professional are subject to fiduciary obligations to their clients that require a minimum standard of professional conduct--if they mess up, they can (and do) get sued for malpractice.
This I have an issue with; are you claiming that no one who works for a company is a professional? That to be considered a professional you must offer your services directly to the public?