Becoming a member of the NSPE Fellow Program is one of the most coveted titles in engineering. This exclusive group has proven themselves to be active members of NSPE for a considerable time at the chapter, state, and national levels. These driven engineers are not only advocates at the national level but also great leaders in their local communities.
Being recognized at such a high level lends an incredible opportunity to those with the title. New members are recognized yearly and added to the complete list on NSPE’s website. This national recognition can yield new career opportunities, boosted awareness in your community, as well as further credentials to shape the young engineering minds of the future.
Given that this title represents a remarkable career, it should be no surprise that the nomination and application process to be recognized is a rigorous feat. Qualified individuals are considered by actively serving for at least 10 years at all three levels (chapter, state, and national). Nominees are also required to provide at least three and no more than four letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current Fellow. If being nominated through the state society, one letter must also come from the president or appropriate officer of that chapter.
The board has identified three areas where the nominee must show prominent accomplishments: the engineering profession, the Society, and the community. It is important that the application provides great details of these achievements because the reviewing committee will not be familiar with every applicant. These accomplishments are often through NSPE. However, activity in other engineering societies should also be included.
Applications are reviewed yearly with a hard deadline of February 1 each year. The Fellow membership status is a great honor and even compiling the necessary steps for the application should be applauded. If not selected for this exclusive list, members may re-apply the next year. There will always be room for the dedicated engineering professionals who are leading our society forward.
To learn more about the nomination and application process, visit the fellow membership guide here.
Requiring continuing education credits for professional engineers helps ensure licensed engineers are staying up-to-date on new technology, changes in ethics rulings, and new legal requirements. This, in turn, helps maintain the safety and welfare of the general public.
In the State of New Jersey, professional engineers are required to complete a minimum of 24 professional development hours. Out of those, at least two and no more than eight should be related to ethics. You are free to complete as many of these as you would like online and if you happen to have more than 24, you can carry them over to the next renewal period. You can read more about renewing your NJ PE license here.
Each state has their own requirements about what types of courses count toward PDH, what topics need to be covered, and how many CEs you need to have to renew your license. If you hold multiple licenses or are interested in getting licensed in a different state, here is what you need to know about PDH requirements and renewals.
| State | PDH/Continuing Education | License Renewal | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 | Annual – Dec. 31 | |
| Alaska | 24 | Biennial Odd Years – Dec. 31 | |
| Arizona | None | Triennial – Date of Issue | |
| Arkansas | 15 | Annual – Dec. 31 | |
| California | None | Biennial – Assigned Date | |
| Colorado | None | Biennial – Date of Issue | |
| Connecticut | None | Annual | |
| Delaware | 24 | Biennial – June 30 | 3 – 6 PDH required related to ethics
Max 9 PDH related to business/management |
| Florida | 18 | Biennial Odd Years – Feb. 28 | 1 PDH required related to laws & rules
1 PDH required related to ethics 4 PDH required related to are of practice |
| Georgia | 30 | Biennial Even Years – Dec. 31 | |
| Hawaii | None | Biennial Even Years – Apr. 30 | |
| Idaho | 30 | Biennial – Last day of birth month | |
| Illinois | 30 | Biennial Odd Years – Nov. 30 | |
| Indiana | 30 | Biennial Even Years – Jul. 31 | 1 PDH required related to ethics
1 PDH required Indiana statutes & laws |
| Iowa | 30 | Biennial – Dec. 31 | 2 PDH required related to ethics |
| Kansas | 30 | Biennial – April 30 | |
| Kentucky | 30 | Biennial depending on last name – Jun. 30 | |
| Louisiana | 30 | Biennial depending on last name – Mar 31 or Sep. 30 | 1 PDH required related to ethics
8 PDH required related to life safety code, building codes, or ADA guidelines |
| Maine | 30 | Biennial Odd Years – Dec. 31 | |
| Maryland | 16 | Biennial – Date of issue | 1 PDH required related to ethics |
| Massachusetts | None | Biennial Even Years – June 30 | |
| Michigan | Held license < 24 months – 15
Held license > 24 months – 30 |
Biennial Even Years – Oct. 31 | |
| Minnesota | 24 | Biennial Even Years – Jun. 30 | 2 PDH required related to ethics |
| Mississippi | 15 | Annual – Dec. 31 | 1 PDH every 2 years required related to ethics |
| Missouri | 30 | Biennial Even Years – Dec. 31 | |
| Montana | 30 | Biennial Even Years – Jun. 30 | |
| Nebraska | 30 | Biennial depending on last name – Dec. 31 | |
| Nevada | 30 | Biennial depending on last name – Jan. 1 or Jul. 1 | |
| New Hampshire | 30 | Biennial Year of Issue – Birth month | |
| New Jersey | 24 | Biennial | 2 PDH required related to ethics |
| New Mexico | 30 | Biennial – Dec. 31 | 2 PDH required related to ethics/business |
| New York | 36 | Triennial – Birth Date | 18 PDH required to have direct contact with instructor
Remaining 18 PDH must be provided by board approved sponsors 1 PDH required related to ethics |
| North Carolina | 15 | Annual – Dec. 31 | |
| North Dakota | 30 | Biennial – Dec. 31 | |
| Ohio | 30 | Biennial Odd Years – Dec. 31 | Max 3 PDH via correspondence courses |
| Oklahoma | 30 | Biennial – Date of license | |
| Oregon | 30 | Biennial depending on last name | |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | Biennial Odd Years – Sep. 30 | |
| Rhode Island | None | Annual – Jun. 30 | |
| South Carolina | 30 | Biennial Even Years – Jun. 30 | |
| South Dakota | 30 | Biennial – Date of license | |
| Tennessee | 24 | Biennial – Date of license | 13 PDH required related to health, safety and welfare, and technical competency |
| Texas | 15 | Annual – quarterly depending on date of license | 1 PDH required related to ethics |
| Utah | 30 | Biennial Odd Years – Mar. 31 | |
| Vermont | 15 | Biennial Even Years – Jul. 1 | |
| Virginia | 16 | Biennial – Date of license | |
| Washington | None | Biennial – Date of license | |
| West Virginia | 60 | Biennial Even Years – Dec. | |
| Wisconsin | 30 | Biennial Even Years – Jul. 31 | 12 PDH required related to ethics
13 PDH required to have direct contact with instructor |
| Wyoming | 30 | Biennial – Date of license |
As you can see, PDH requirements and continuing education for professional engineers varies greatly state-by-state. Even if you live in or are moving to a state that doesn’t require CE’s, it is important to stay up to date with advancements and changes in the industry. If you have any questions about continuing education in New Jersey, contact us today! We would love to hear from you.
Professional engineers are often looking for ways to increase their professional knowledge within the industry. WIth technology becoming more and more integrated into the profession, there are ways to learn more and increase your status as an engineer. The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), a division of the National Society of Professional Engineers, promotes excellence in engineering technologies via certification services.
There are currently 12 NICET certifications related to civil engineering technology and electrical and mechanical systems engineering technology:
There are different requirements for different levels of the NICET certification:
Regardless of the level of certification you are seeking, you will need to pass an exam to verify your competency in the subject matter.
The fees vary based on what certification and what level you are seeking. Each exam costs anywhere between $160 to $410. For complete cost information and certification ladders, click here.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Want to learn more about the NICET certification program? You can get complete details about all 12 NICET certifications as well as their levels here. Already have a NICET certification? Comment below and tell us what your experience was throughout the certification process and how it helped in your career.
