States That Do Not Require PDHs for Professional Engineers 3

[Maui]

Can anyone provide a reference that clearly identifies what states do NOT require a professional engineer to earn professional development hours as a requirement of licensure? I know that Massachusetts does not require PDHs, but I don't know how many other states waive this requirement as well. Any insights?

Maui

 

[lansford]

I don't believe that PA and NJ require it yet?
JIM

 

[jistre]

I wonder how long it will be before they will require it. Part of the NCEES Model Law is the requirement for continuing PDHs throughout an engineer's career. Are these states going to continue to walk their own path while the rest of the country begins settling into a standardized engineering law?

 

[jistre]

Oh yeah, I found this on the NCEES website. It's the results of the 2005 survey of state engineering boards listing their requirements. I haven't found anything newer.

http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_requirements_2005/survey_e.pdf

You can change the letter in the URL after the word 'survey' to see the different parts of the survey.

 

[swertel]

AZ doesn't. But all the PEs I know in AZ get them anyway.
1) Because they are licensed in other states that require them.
2) Because it's only a matter of time before AZ does.
3) You'd be an idiot not to pursue continuing ed just because you don't HAVE to.

--Scott

http://wertel.eng.pro

 

[jistre]

3) You'd be an idiot not to pursue continuing ed just because you don't HAVE to.

^For the win.

 

[Hoagie]

I wonder: Does this academic need the PE to get a teaching job?

 

[IRstuff]

Which particular academic are you refering to?

In any case, the general answer is no. There may be other reasons for having one, since it would still be a positive element in this academic's resume.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[zdas04]

That survey that jistre posted was really interesting. I find it frankly disgusting that there is that much variability between the states. The ones that said "we have no plans to address continuing education in the foreseeable future" have their heads firmly lodged within the sand. I would be surprised if we don't see a move toward the same rules across the country by the end of this decade.

I would also like to see a rule/regulation that requires anyone teaching a junior-level or higher engineering course to be a PE. Not that the PE makes us special, it is just that kids don't need to be learning engineering from people who haven't practiced it (and they are "holding themselves out to the public as engineers").

David

 

[csd72]

jistre,

I think the issue most people have with continuing ed is how much money it costs to go to formal conferences.

I would do a lot more courses if they werent so expensive, but I do get just as much out of reading technical journals, something which many states will not allow you to include in your pd hours.

 

[whyun]

I agree with csd72. Both large and small firms alike, formal training seminars for all licensed engineers in the firm could be cost prohibitive. Many firms hold in-house seminars/presentations on various engineering topics by their senior staff and technical presentations by various manufacturers which SHOULD be recognized as PDHs but are not.

 

[csd72]

whyun,

These things are recognised in other countries (such as Australia and the UK) as valid pdh.

Also, in Australia there were after work seminars put on every month for as little as $10, why are US professional asociations not doing this?

 

[cvg]

the argument is that continuing education is achieved in many ways, not all of which are counted as PDH's. For example, reading or writing research papers, trade magazines, presenting at conferences, in-house training etc. are typically not counted as acceptable forms of PDH. Employers and engineers alike do not want to be required to attend PDH seminars simply because the state board requires it. Also, attendance at these does not mean anything was actually learned. Attendance is not generally taken and they could have spent the afternoon golfing even though the company paid to send them to a seminar. Some of these "pdh seminars" don't even present particularly useful information and they are all expensive. Most good engineers I know do spend time learning new things, reading and attending as many conferences and seminars as they can.

 

[msquared48]

I agree with csd, and have posted similarly in the past regarding time spent in this forum. We all learn a lot here from others, but that time is not recognized for PDH credits.

However, some states allow credits just for membership in various professional organizations such as the ASCE, ACI, ICBO, etc, and you never have to go to a meeting, just pay the membership fee. I guess because of the name of the organization the boards assume that we will learn something thru long-distance osmosis. I just know that I learn a lot more here than paying for a stupid membership certificate to hang on my wall.

There is inequity and illogic in the present system. Unfortunately, that's a given. There needs to be a common standard to level the playing field, opportunities, and expectations.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[swertel]

Another nice thing about being registered in a state that doesn't require PDH credits is not having to maintain a database of all my hours. I just go do my learning.

As far as expenses go, there are plenty of things that count for PDH without having to attend long seminars or conferences.

The local chapters of NSPE have a monthly lunch or dinner meeting. $20 a head and 1 PDH if you stay and listen to the presenter. There are many others as well.

If you do something for continuing ed that is not recognized by the board, petition the board to include it. I've known people that do CAD training - a half-day presentation on the features of a new version - and get the board to recognize it as PDH.

--Scott

http://wertel.eng.pro

 

[zdas04]

I looked into this really thoroughly for New Mexico and just about everything that people above are complaining is not acceptable for pdh hours actually is acceptable to my board. If you teach a technical class you can claim twice the duration of the class. If you attend a technical class you can claim the duration of the class. If you organize an association meeting (e.g., I'm working on an SPE Applied Technology Workshop), you get credit for the organization meetings and for the meeting itself. If you go to a monthly tech society meeting that has a tech presentation, they count.

Reading journals counts, but the number of hours you can claim is capped. Writing journal articles counts. Even participation in Eng-Tips.com counts, but it is also capped.

Last year I had over 150 hours of stuff that counted towards my 15 hour requirement. Documentation is key, they may never audit you, but if they ever do and you have claimed hours that aren't documented properly, you'll lose your license for an ethics violation.

David

 

[whyun]

I am in favor of continuing education beyond licensure but against making it mandatory by the state board. I am glad it isn't yet in my state.

 

[JStephen]

I find the whole continuing education concept very frustrating. While many of the boards have mandated that engineers should have continuing education, they haven't done anything to make worthwhile continuing education more available. I'm all in favor of continuing education for engineers, but the current requirements are very poorly set up to achieve that.

It is also frustrating because of the differing requirements. Renewal times are staggered from state to state. Some states require so many ethics hours, some require technical only, some allow self-study, some don't, etc. So it turns into a bookkeeping mess as well.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

If I don't schedule my hours just right - I screw up some state's requirments. I have found that I MUST take 15 hours between Jan and June to fit ONE state's requirments and that will also meet all other states!!

BTW- Online courses are fairly cheap. Check out PDHonline and I think Vector is another one. Just do a Google on PDH for Engineers.

Have fun!!

 

[HgTX]

Some states are more restrictive than others. For example, some have specifically approved courses or providers and those are the only things you can use for the PDH. Off the top of my head I want to say New York and Florida are in that category, but don't quote me. My point is just that because something is no problem in New Mexico or Texas doesn't mean that's the same for everyone else.

Hg

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