Hello y'all

As a practicing geotechnical engineer with 32 years in the field, I can surely tell you things have changed since I first started. Initially I used a slide rule (and still have 2 in my desk drawer). [At least I missed the early period with abacus]. Then we advanced to hand calculators.  Then office computers to desk computers and notebooks.  We can now use small hand-held PDAs. Same for surveying - yes, 30 years ago - the old transit and level with a rod-man.  Now a hand-held GPS unit, not to mention cell phones, wide-screen monitors, lasers, and a whole host of other technologies that help us to do our job better.

Fact of the matter is that some of us keep up with professional & technical issues, others do not.  It is a shame to have to regulate this, but in fact, perhaps the public needs some re-assurance. If all the CEs in VA are doing such a great job, why are we in so many law suits ?   There are many mistakes being made today because too many did not use the best technology available or tried to get by using an old outdated method.  (I suppose some are still using the old Engineering News Record formula for pile driving developed over a century ago and shown not to work). 

Some clarification on Professional Development Hours (PDH) vs. Continuing Education Units (CEU) vs. the term "Continuing Education credit hours" would be in order, so as to avoid confusion with other states terminology.  Generally, 1 CEU = 10 PDFs.

Respectfully yours

Paul