It is the policy of this State and the purpose of this chapter to encourage the development of professional engineers in this State and to promote the accountability for engineering practice in a global economy. The State recognizes the need for more qualified engineers to support the local and global economy and, to that end, encourages efforts to increase access to accredited education, the examinations, and the experience necessary and appropriate to protect the health, safety, and welfare of South Carolina citizens and to support licensure as the basis of accountability.