As many other PEs have commented, this requirement is a useless waste of professionals' time and serves only to enrich the continuing education companies.  The law already requires numerous professional and ethical requirements on PEs.  If the Virginia Department of Profesisonal Registration believes or injured parties believe that a PE is not doing their duties, there are many existing recourses to sanctioning a PE.  To now require 16 hours of continuing education credits, which experience in other states is met by attending local engineering society meetings and/or attending continuing education classes that few companies will pay for or allow work leave to complete, does not  provide any proof that the person is a better PE nor does it necessarily enhance their skills. Further, many companies have internal training departments far better than any thing that can be obtained from outside vendors, yet these will not be allowed to count for any credits.

Before this rule is enacted (which obviously it will be despite numerous comments against it), the requirements should have a cost/benefit analysis performed to substantiate any benefit to the public and/or to the PEs for completing the proposed 16 credit hours.  Additionally, since many states have already foisted this misguided requirement on the PEs of the country, Virginia should have ample evidence to evaluate just how effective it has been in preventing PE failure to perform according to regulations.

In conclusion, after being a PE for almost 24 years, it is my professional opinion that this proposed educational requirement is not necessary, and it would not receive my PE stamp for approval.