This has been a problem ever since wide spread licensing began generally in the 1950′s within the US. State boards are the primary guardian for enforcement and most states provide an online search ability to determine if a person is licensed and if the license is active or inactive. But, from personal knowledge, the boards (99% of the time) only know of violations if a concerned citizen files a formal complaint with that board. Most boards power is limited on a case by case basis (written reprimands, fines, and shared data bases with other states of individuals offenses). Criminal and civil court actions are generally left up to the individuals involved to pursue at their own cost.

As a licensed professional in many states, during my career I’ve had my seal and signature (to the best of my knowledge) used unauthorized twice by clients. In both cases, the two state boards left it up to me deal with since in both case the individual was not licenses by the state and were sent a letter to not do it again.

In both cases, the clients motive was to save money and didn’t agree with the standards required for approval. One, actually received a building permit. I am currently involved in a legal case against the client with my former employer under copy right laws.

Do to predictable human nature and my knowledge through personal and witnessed experiences I can safely say this is going on right now and will continue in the future until states put stringent controls and penalties in place right done to the manufacturing of the seal its self.

With the new education requirements that have just been introduced, people will be dropped as LEED APs without signing up for the education program requirements starting in 2011.

As for Civil PEs, I hope unlicensed engineers are not claiming to be licensed. If they took the EIT or have attempted the PE at all, they understand the ethics of the profession and know better than to cross them.