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From: ark@research.att.com (Andrew Koenig)
Subject: Re: Certification of Computer Scientists
Message-ID: <DE6E3M.Es4@research.att.com>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill NJ
References: <tonyk-3008950814040001@dial1-21.cybercom.net> <423but$9bu@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 1995 12:45:22 GMT
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In article <423but$9bu@newsbf02.news.aol.com> pmills2627@aol.com (PMills2627) writes:

> I can't believe that this discussion is even taking place!  A call for
> licensing is usually a response to too much competition and too little
> pay.  The excuse is always "public safety".  What next, Nader's Raiders
> and CBS news doing a hit piece on exploding word processors?  Spreadsheets
> that leak into the groundwater?

A bill for licensing programmers made it through one of the houses of
the New Jersey legislature several years ago but fortunately failed
in the other house.

I say `fortunately' because it would effectively have shut down the
state.  Among its effects:

	Set up a licensing board that would decide on criteria
	for programmer's licenses, including fees.  All board
	members would themselves have to obtain licenses within 18 months.

	Prohibit all sale, purchase, or (I think) use of software
	in New Jersey unless that software was produced entirely by
	license-holders.  I think there was an exception made for
	software written before the legislation took effect.  But
	Microsoft, for example, would have to license all its employees
	in New Jersey if they wanted to continue to ship new releases there.

	Prohibit anyone from programming in New Jersey at all
	without first obtaining a license.  The sole exception:
	students who were enrolled in a course taught by a
	license-holder would be permitted to write programs in
	order to do their homework.

Rumor has it that the bill failed only because the largest private
employer in New Jersey said they would leave if the legislation passed.
-- 
				--Andrew Koenig
				  ark@research.att.com
