This comment is in two parts

First, continuing education is a part of the profession we are in.  It is implicit in the Code of Ethics we subscribe to and in our assurance that we will not take a job that is out side our training.  Making the requirement mandatory degrades the profession by advertising to the world that we are not capable of being trusted to ensure we are up to the task and must instead turn to the state to do so for us.  The profession has been reduced to the same status offered by the myriad of certifications in many vocations that exist.  A generation of workers capable of reading a book and taking a test has been born.  This degradation is unsatisfactory.

Unfortunately NSPE supports mandatory continuing education and it is disturbing to say the least.  VSPE also supports mandatory continuing education.  That is in fact not entirely correct.  The board of directors of VSPE supports mandatory continuing education and helped force its way in a reduced time frame through the legislature.  A survey conducted of VSPE members prior to the effort showed nearly a 50-50 split of the membership on the issue.  The way the split went cannot be determined since the survey results were lost.  Since its passage and the support offered by VSPE, I have thought hard each time before renewing my membership with the organization.  When I pulled the thread shortly after I found out about the legislations existence (about 2 months before its passage) I found out the reason for pursuing the legislation was to help with licensure in other states through comity.  Funny, it seems that simply returning the favor by our own DPOR would have corrected this issue.

The law has passed so all the above is well past due except to continue to write my legislators to have the law rescinded.  I encourage everyone else to do the same.

Moving to my second point.  What will happen with mandatory continuing training is a shift from worthwhile training to that which is not so worth while with funds generally going out of the state.  I have started attending the annual VSPE conference under the assumption that all its sessions will count.  In truth none of the sessions apply to my work, but their credits will be unquestioned.  So I take three days off work, spend a lot of money on travel, hotel, meals, etc. and satisfy the state's requirement.  The benefit to my clients, the public, and myself is nothing.  But I am officially trained.