My statement was meant to compare/contrast an academic subculture -- conferences, papers, discussions, debates -- with a professional society such as the NSPE.

My statement was meant to compare/contrast an academic subculture -- conferences, papers, discussions, debates -- with a professional society such as the NSPE. We do have our own share of professional societies that fit the bill but we do not have a requirement for licensure in our industry. By definition it is a different animal.