Yesterday Mr. Kuykendall, the PE, from Virginia Tech pointed out that it is now time to offer suggestions that will allow the system to work.  He went on to offer several good suggestions.  Support his suggestions and also consider:

1.  Keep the process flexible!  Avoid segmenting into "hot issue" or "flavor of the year" topics.  The purpose of the regulation is to protect the general public, but within the area of HSW allow the professionals some flexibility to determine what is important for them to stay current of trends.  Do not "cookie cutter" the industry.

2.  Rely on the wide variety of professional education opportunities that are already available.  Rely on various professional organizations with established programs and universities but leave open the opportunities of other professional affilated groups as well.  Allow opportunities for new groups to be added as allowable sources as technology and society shift.  This would likely require establishment of some type of documented self-reporting approach.

3.  Allow the professional wiggle room, encourage research and new approaches.  Technology and materials are changing at a rapid rate so allow for the future, do not lock yourself into the present.  

4.  The emphasis should be on what the professional learns rather than how they learn.  Be as open to asynchronous learning formats as you are to synchronous learning formats.  The asynchronous approach to learning in the A/E industry actually encourages and supports competency based learning, much more so than the traditional lecture.  Do not be tempted to restrict the format of the professional education. 

5.  Good examples of states with flexible A/E MCE systems include Hawaii, Illinois and soon to implement Alaska and Wisconsin.  States that provide good examples of what not to do, have rigid MCE policies, and continue to add complications to the professional's career include, New York, Florida, and Texas.

6.  Keep the process simple!  Encourage professional education by keeping your sources open, not  restricting them.