To whom it may concern:

	I am a founding member of the Austin, Heart Of Texas, Designers

Council. I felt that we, as designers, needed more respect from the Eng-

ineering and Manufacturing community and saw the IPC Designer Councils 

as the vehicle toward that end. The Certification Test is our proof that

we deserve that respect. 

	The engineer has to pass a state examination to get a Professional 

Engineering certification (P.E.), and with this certification he, or she, 

shows the world an expertise and knowledge expected from the engineering

community. Some employers require that all engineers be certified for 

legal reasons. I can see that, eventually, only certified engineers will 

be in demand. Can we not expect this change in attitude to effect designers?


	Our Certification Test is currently the only way we have to prove

our expertise, to show the world that we, too, are professionals. Consider-

ing the interest shown in item writting for the test, I am very surprised 

at the actual test participation up to this point. I took the test three

days after it was available thinking I would be lucky to be in the first

100 tested after all that time had passed. Here we are, months later, and

still 100 tests have not been taken.


	I don't know wether I passed the test or not. If I didn't, I'll 

take it again and again until I do, it's that important to me, it SHOULD 

be that important to you.


	What I want is to be able to change my business card to:


Brant McClellnd, P.D.

Senior Designer
Texas Instruments
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