Re: "Meteorologist" title

David Moran wrote:
Hi all,

I've got a question a friend of mine have been going back and forth on
for a while and wanted to get some outside input. We run a weather
forecasting website and all of our forecaster either have degrees in
meteorology, or, in my case, are really close to graduating with their
degree in meteorology. I also have a degree in Mathematics (finished last
year). She and I have been going back and forth on whether or not we can
call our forecasters meteorologists without any problems. My position is
that as long as it is CLEARLY stated on our forecasts and website that not
all of us are degreed, but all of us are either graduated or within 1 or 2
semesters of graduating, there shouldn't be a problem. Her position is that
anyone wanting to forecast for us can be called a meteorologist. Any
thoughts on this?

Thanks!
Dave

Everyone commenting so far has made valid points. The
central issue IMO is that there are no legal definitions of
meteorologist, that is no governmental entity (that I am
aware of) regulates meteorologists. You can't (legally)
practice law without passsing the bar exam, you can't
practice medicine without being licensed, some (most?)
places you can't even be a barber without a license. So
AFAIK you can call yourselves "meteorologists" with no
"problem" in the sense that no one can take legal action
against you for that alone. Now if someone sending you
nasty e-mails about calling yourself a meteorologist
without a degree in the field is a "problem", then yes,
you might have a problem. If your website is just a
hobby (i.e. you are not being paid by anyone for your
forecasts) then AFAIK there is no problem with not
having a degree. If someone pays you for your
meteorological expertise and you mislead them about
that expertise, then I think you could face legal action,
but I am not a lawyer. I think the proper thing to do is
to clearly state your qualifications.

Cheers,
Russell

.

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