I strongly agree that continuing eduation is important, but a major requirement of the PE is experience or on-the-job training and the contining education rules appear to state only certified classes will count.  A broader range of activities need to be included, and record keeping rules need to be amended.

The proposed language of the Mandatory Continuing Education Requirements for Professional Engineers is not acceptable in it's current writing.  Specifically, the requirements regarding the sponsoring organization to maintain records goes beyond the scope and ability of many organizations who have traditionally provided engineers with additional training and education.  For example, when DIPRA, the Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association, comes and updates our engineers on the latest thinking in pipe design and construction, it appears the rules require DIPRA to maintain a record of our time spent learing.  While they may be willing to do this, it is unnecessary and an example of excessivly restrictive regulations.

Also professional societies, who often sponsor lectures or field trips, now have a regulatory burden imposed on the organization.  This is unnecassary.

I believe this rule will simply expand the for-profit, mail-order or internet based for-fee classes offered to engineers.  These organizations are a waste of time and money.

I was previously registered in Oregon and their rules for continuing education were much better.  Please read them and think carefully if we really need the burden the current writing imposes.  I have copied a portion below, please see the OSBEELS web site for more.

820-010-0635

Continuing Professional Development

The purpose of professional development requirements is to demonstrate a continuing level of competency of professional land surveyors, engineers and photogrammetrists. Every registrant shall meet the professional development requirements as a condition of registration renewal.

(1) Requirements. Every registrant is required to obtain 30 PDH units during each biennial renewal period. Registrants who are licensed for a part of a renewal period shall obtain a prorated amount of PDH. If a registrant exceeds the annual requirement in any renewal period, a maximum of 15 PDH units in courses/activities may be carried forward into the next renewal period.

(2) PDH units may be earned as follows:

(a) Successful completion of college courses;

(b) Successful completion of short courses, tutorials, correspondence, web based courses, televised and videotaped courses;

(c) Active participation in seminars, in-house courses, workshops, and professional conventions;

(d) Teaching or instructing in (a) through (c) above;

(e) Authoring or co-authoring published papers, articles or books;

(f) Active participation in professional or technical societies;

(g) Self study;

(h) Mentoring of engineering, land surveying, or photogrammetry topics;

(i) Non-technical educational activities related to the registrants employment;

(j) Passing a board prepared take home test.

(3) PDH units for each renewal period may be obtained as follows:

(a) 1 College Semester hour equals 45 PDH;

(b) 1 College Quarter hour equals 30 PDH;

(c) 1 Continuing Education unit equals 10 PDH;

(d) 1 hour of professional education in course work, seminars, professional conventions, workshops equals 1 PDH;

(e) For teaching, apply multiple of 2 (teaching credit is valid for teaching a given course or seminar one time only and does not apply to full time faculty teaching college courses);

(f) For authoring or co-authoring a paper, article or book, appearing in a recognized professional or technical publication, up to a maximum of 10 PDH;

(g) 2 PDH for active participation in a professional or technical society. Up to a maximum of 6 PDH per renewal period;

(h) Self study of relevant materials such that the registrant's knowledge of the subject significantly improves the registrant's ability to work in the subject area. Up to a maximum of 6 PDH;

(i) Mentoring of nonlicensed individuals not under your supervision in the field of engineering, land surveying, or photogrammetry. Each 10 hours spent mentoring will provide 1 PDH with a maximum of 2 PDH per year;

(j) 1 PDH per hour for developing, writing, or scoring an Oregon Specific examinations. Up to a maximum of 8 PDH per renewal period.

(4) Determination of Credit. The Board has final authority with respect to approval of courses, credit, PDH values for courses and other methods of earning credit. The Board may maintain a list of courses and activities which it has approved. The Board will approve without listing courses which are sponsored by nationally recognized technical societies and those technical societies listed in 820-001-0000(2)(b)(A) through (E) and (2)(c)(A) through (G). Criteria for determination of credit shall follow these guidelines:

(a) Credit for college or community college approved courses will be based upon course credit established by the college;

(b) Credit for qualifying seminars and workshops will be based on one PDH unit for each hour of attendance. Attendance at qualifying programs presented at professional and/or technical society meetings will earn PDH units for the actual time of each program;

(c) Credit determination for activities (3)(f) and (3)(h) is the responsibility of the registrant and is subject to review by the Board.

(5) Record keeping. Each registrant is charged with the responsibility of maintaining records of his/her own professional education activities. Every registrant shall report their professional education activities on a form approved by the Board only when requested by the Board to do so. The duty of maintaining records to support credits claimed is the responsibility of the registrant. Records required include, but are not limited to:

(a) A record showing the activity claimed, sponsoring organization, date, location, duration, instructor's or speaker's name, and PDH units earned; and

(b) Attendance verification records in the form of completion certificates, paid receipts, or other documents supporting evidence of attendance. These records must be retained for three (3) years. Copies may be requested by the Board for audit verification purposes.