What is the foremost responsibility of a licensee to the public?

The foremost responsibility of a licensee to the public is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public. This principle is at the core of the engineering profession and is a fundamental aspect of the ethical obligations that licensed engineers must uphold. Engineers have the duty to ensure that their work does not pose any risks to public safety and that they consider the societal impacts of their engineering solutions.

This responsibility transcends other considerations, such as providing creative solutions or maximizing profit, which, while important, are secondary to public welfare. Engineers must always prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals and communities when designing, implementing, and evaluating their projects. Additionally, maintaining confidentiality of client information is crucial, but it doesn't supersede the ethical duty to prevent harm to the public, which is paramount in all engineering practices.