An International Perspective on U.S. Licensure of Software Engineers

Modern software systems found in medical equipment, utility services, transportation systems, consumer devices, and the like are complex. These 'critical' systems are special because their failure could adversely affect the public, even causing injury or death. For example, consider the effects of a failed radiation therapy machine, nuclear plant, or auto airbag deployment system. There are some practitioners who have undergraduate degrees that are not in science or engineering, or they may have no undergraduate degree at all. Since the statutes for licensing software engineers are still emerging, it is possible that some states may provide alternative paths to licensure through grandfathering based on experience or other credentials. Other countries recognize the profession of software engineering in some way. For example, Canada licenses software engineers in a similar manner to the US, while the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand have other forms of professional recognition, such as the 'Charterd Engineer' in the UK.