[aparks517]

In the United States, engineering drawings or reports submitted to local, state, or federal government agencies typically have to be stamped by a licensed professional engineer. You'll sometimes see similar requirements in private industry as well.

Around here (and maybe in all of the United States?) you don't have to be a PE to call yourself an engineer, but I think in some countries you do. I personally reserve the expression "real engineer" for PE's who can stamp drawings and have the license and insurance to back it up.

But, hey. What do I know? I'm probably overpaying by going to a "real" dentist.

[armadsen]

The vast majority of electrical engineers in the US are not PEs. I think they’re still engineers.

Disclaimer: I’m an EE as well as a programmer.