What is engineering experience?

SAID a young applicant to the secretary of a state registration board: “I don´t understand why your board refuses to grant me a license as a professional engineer. Your requirements are a diploma and four years of experience. I have a diploma and five years´ experience, but you turn me down. Why is it?” The reply of the secretary opened the eyes of the applicant. “You have been doing routine work which has not added to your professional development,” he said, “your experience is not satisfactory to the board.”