I attended many CE seminars in the mid 1990's while pursuing licensure. I will never forget the comments at one such seminar being conducted in Richmond, Virginia by Ben Buckner, PhD, P.E., L.S. Ben was one of the giants in the field of Land Surveying Education. He was a member of the NCEE Committee that developed exam questions, and he was instrumental in the establishment of the Land Surveying curriculum at East Tennessee State University. He also was the author of numerous books and treatises about Land Surveying that served as the foundation for his presentations throughout the country.

 Mr. Buckner shared with the seminar attendees that he was glad to be in Virginia where mandatory Continuing Education was not required. He was passionate about sharing his vast knowledge and he knew that all in attendance were there because they wanted to be there and were eager to learn.

He no longer conducted seminars in mandatory CE states because he said that the attendees there were bored and disinterested. They did not want to be at his seminars but were forced there in order to collect CE hours so he resolved to avoid those states. His comments that day have caused me to question the wisdom of mandatory Continuing Education over the ensuing years.

I have attended CE seminars since becoming licensed as a Land Surveyor in Virginia, the latest being the Condominium Law presentation at the VAS Convention in January of this year. I will continue to pursue educational opportunities, whether mandatory or not, because I am serious about being a well-rounded practitioner of my chosen profession. I believe that most of my fellow Land Surveying brethren feel the same way; therefore, I feel compelled to argue against mandatory Continuing Education.