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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 3Ch. 7Art. 1§ 6704 Engineering License Title Restrictions

§ 6704 Engineering License Title Restrictions

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 6704 Engineering License Title Restrictions

Key Takeaways

  • •You can't call yourself an engineer (like 'professional engineer' or 'consulting engineer') unless you have a special license from the state.
  • •If you do engineering work (like designing buildings, electrical systems, or machines) without a license, you can get in trouble.
  • •Some people don’t need a license, like those who were allowed to use the title 'consulting engineer' before the rules changed or people licensed as photogrammetric surveyors.

Example

If someone starts calling themselves a 'professional engineer' and offers to design a bridge for a town, but they don’t have the right license.

This person is breaking the law because they’re using a protected title and doing engineering work without the proper license. They could be stopped or fined.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 6704 Engineering License Title Restrictions

(a) In order to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, no person shall practice civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering unless appropriately licensed or specifically exempted from licensure under this chapter, and only persons licensed under this chapter shall be entitled to take and use the titles “consulting engineer,” “professional engineer,” or “registered engineer,” or any combination of those titles or abbreviations thereof, and according to licensure with the board the engineering branch titles specified in Section 6732, or the authority titles specified in Sections 6736 and 6736.1, or the title “engineer-in-training.” (b) The provisions of this section shall not prevent the use of the title “consulting engineer” by a person who has qualified for and maintained exemption for using that title under the provisions of Section 6732.1, or by a person licensed as a photogrammetric surveyor. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 658, Sec. 89. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

professional engineerconsulting engineer.propertyhealthlicenseexemptionin californiacombination

Related Statutes

  • § 6730 Engineering Licensing Requirements
  • § 3003 Optometrist Licensing Definition
  • § 6702.2 Mechanical Engineer Definition
  • § 6706.3 Engineer Registration Licensing Reference
  • § 6736 Structural Engineer Title Use

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 6704.
View Official Source