The idea of continuing education is good, and is already conducted by  most PEs. However, the prposed rules as presently written are much too restrictive and probably will discourage licensure in Virginia.  I would suggest  that Virginia lawmakers look at what Texas does. Texas has a similar continuing education requirement, but they have looser language on what constitutes continuing education. That is, a PE in Texas is given credit  toward the annual requirements for attending a conference, presenting a paper, filing a patent, and otherwise involving themselves in engineering activities -- there is no need to receive a "certificate" for a pre-defined continuing education program, as proposed by Virginia. Virginia's proposal will likely cause resentment (see the comments to date), cause Virginia PE's to pay money for a "brain-dead" or "boondoggle" course offered by predatory "continuing education" companies, and will defeat what Virginia really wants -- which is to require engineers to remain current.and engaged in the profession.

Texas also does something of interest - they require the PE to participate in at least one hour of ethics training per year. Again, Texas does not require a certificate obtained from a predefined course,  but rather provide credit to the PE if they spend time to re-read all of the rules of the Texas code for Engineers. This is done on the honor system, but it ensures that PEs are current with the regulations.

I would strongly urge Virginia to relax the "continuing education certificate" requirement, which currently reads that one must participate in a "bounded" fixed-time predefined course. It would be worth while for Virginia to see the continuing education requirements of Texas. The currently proposed language weakens Virginia's Professional Engineering licensing