Registrant Responsibility
(From the NCEES publication LICENSURE EXCHANGE, February 2010, ISSN NO. 1093-541X, VOLUME 14, ISSUE 1 – PAGE 10)
Registrant responsibility extends beyond our own work
When we become licensed, we take an oath to safeguard the life, health, property, and welfare of the public. I believe that in our direct contact with the public, all of us strive to practice ethical standards to achieve this lofty goal. However, an area that is frequently overlooked is discipline within our own ranks. Often, we come across an error or infraction made by a fellow registrant. Part of our professional responsibility is to inform the regulatory board of any person or firm that is in violation of statutes or regulations.
I agree that it is uncomfortable to make a report against a colleague; however, if an infraction is not addressed, the damage to our profession can be dramatic. Being self-employed for over two decades, I can tell you that it takes 20-plus well-satisfied clients to overcome a poorly completed project. If a member of the public is harmed in some way by a colleague’s work, it damages our whole profession. Most of the public do not have the tools or training to review a professional’s work; it is really our responsibility to police our own ranks.
Most of the time, infractions are very minor in nature; being human, we all make errors. Most statutes or regulations have no clear procedures for addressing infractions we find in the course of our activities. Therefore, I believe the first step is to make a courtesy call to the registrant and inform him or her of what you have discovered. True professionalism is demonstrated by 1) making the call and 2) how we respond to receiving a call. I, myself, have received a number of these calls over the last 40 years of practice. I appreciate them and do everything in my power to correct the error and rectify any damage caused.
Often such a discussion will bring to light information that had a bearing on the project, and the caller will conclude that, in fact, there is no infraction to report. These discussions are also a great learning opportunity for both professionals (especially the younger ones) and, for the sole registrant in a small office, an opportunity to get another’s view on the complexity of difficult projects. I think most professionals would feel the same way.
Unfortunately, there are those who do not respond favorably to these calls and will ignore the problem. It is then on us to follow through with reporting infractions to the board.
It is our responsibility to do this, whether we work in the private sector, municipal, state, or even federal government. We do more damage to our profession by allowing these practices—and the practitioners—to continue. I, personally, am very proud to be working in my chosen profession and to have the trust of the public. Let’s not lose that trust.
CLIFFORD E. BAKER, P.L.S.
ALASKA BOARD OF REGISTRATION FOR
ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, AND LAND SURVEYORS
