Manadtory continuing education will benefit more the creators of educational "seminar" productions, booklets, etc. I've also found many so called educational seminars to be nothing more than thinly veiled product marketing and advertisement. The cost of these services has also become outrageous for the modest professional. Typically the lower the cost, the stronger the marketing pitch. The idea that an educational mandatory requirement might somehow be in the interest of the safety of the general public is also faulty, unless the state wants to oversee the content and regulate and certify all of the educational topics. It is wrong, and I suspect that this entire issue is driven by the the "educational seminar" lobby.  I think that everyone should have a basic drive to increase their knowledge throughout their life, and especially in their profession or trade, and I think most do as a natural course. I believe architects and engineers are traditionally curious and intellectual people. It should NOT be a mandate from the State of Virginia to maintain your hard earned professional license.