Last year, the board began enforcing an obscure 66-year-old Texas law that requires engineers to pass a licensing test. Among those finding the letters in their mailboxes were engineers from Applied Materials and Intel. The state could fine violating firms up to $3000 per day if they don't comply. Steve Kester, vice president of state affairs for AeA, an electronics trade group, doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Many people think this would be hilarious if it weren't so scary."

Applied, Intel, and other companies began lobbying the state legislature after the attorney general's office supported a strict interpretation of the state's Engineering Practices Act. Their efforts may bear fruit. Both the Texas senate and the house of representatives are considering bills.

"Both are sunset bills that contain language to change the current law on the use of the title 'engineer,'" says Victoria Hsu, the board's executive director. Hsu favors the existing law because it prevents fraud. "The board's position is that we would rather avoid confusion." The executive director acknowledges that when it comes to wafer fab engineers, "in practice there's no problem. It's a semantic thing. The board does not have too much problem with the proposed language change."