How to Earn PDHs in 2020

As a professional engineer, there’s a certain number of professional development hours (PDHs) you must fulfill to maintain your license. Luckily, there are tons of continuing education opportunities for professional engineers, from in-person events to live webinars and online courses. Renew your professional engineering license in 2020 by planning out your next few courses:

February 5, 2020: Licensing for Profitability, Agility and Growth for Small and Mid-Sized Engineering Firms
1 PDH
This hour-long live webinar starts at 2:00 p.m. and provides tactics and resources to help small- and mid-sized firms manage licensing effectively to serve their business goals.

Learn more and register today >>

March 18, 2020: Engineering Ethics – Disclosure, Payment, Expert Testimony and Conflicts of Interest
1 PDH
This live webinar will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will discuss engineering ethics principles and key ethical issues relating to disclosure, payment, expert testimony and conflicts of interest.

Learn more and register today >>

March 23, 2020: Common Mistakes in Design of Coastal & Marine Projects
8 PDHs
This in-person all day event will be held in Iselin, New Jersey. The classroom-seminar style lecture will discuss common mistakes in the design of coastal and marine projects. Throughout the day, attendees will discuss case studies of damages referring to underlying design mistakes. Examples of design tools and practical rules of thumb will also be discussed.

Learn more and register today >>

Available anytime: Professional Engineering Ethics 101
2 PDHs
This two part online seminar is taught by Lawrence P. Powers, Esq. with the objective of exposing seminar participants to various engineering related professional and statutory codes of ethics.

Buy now >>

See more opportunities for engineering continuing education on NSPE’s website. You may even find some courses that are free for NSPE members!

8 PDHs in ONE DAY at our next CE Event!

On March 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers, in conjunction with the New York State Society of Professional Engineers will hold Common Mistakes in Design of Coastal and Marine Projects. This event, worth 8 PDHs, will be held at Mott MacDonald in Iselin, New Jersey. The best part? These credits will all be eligible for your professional engineering renewal requirements for 2020.

This participatory classroom-seminar, led by staff consultant at Bergmann Associates Saied Saiedi, PhD, PEng,
will discuss common mistakes in the design of coastal & marine projects with the following objectives:

To provide for a list of significant design mistakes
To discuss case studies of damages referring to underlying design mistakes
To introduce design tools and practical rules of thumb
To perform class exercises

There will also be several special features, including real-life case studies, class exercises, computational aids and design tools, and a collection of technical literature and educational video clips.

If you’re looking for a complete course outline, you can expect:

Examples of major damages and failures
Introduction to coastal & marine hydraulics (waves, currents, etc.)
Introduction to coastal sediment transport
COMMON MISTAKES related to:
- Design wave height
- Design water level
- Field data vs. theoretical guides
- Sediment transport (capacity vs. actual transport, etc.)
- Beach morphology
- Nature-based (green) solutions vs. gray structures
- Forces on structures (pipes, piles, sea walls, vessels, etc.)
- Breakwaters and revetments
- Static and dynamic stability of vessels
Software and design tools
Five take-away messages

If you’re a NSPE member, you can attend this event for $225. Sustaining members cost $275 and non-members cost $325. All ticket prices include the cost of breakfast and lunch.

If you’re looking for more information, please check out our event summary page. But if you’re ready to secure your seat for this great event, you can click here to register now! We hope to see you there.

NJSPE Continuing Education Class Schedule has been Released!

On November 14, 2019, NJSPE will be holding a full-day of continuing education, offering six PDH credits for professional engineers in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other states that accept New Jersey or NJSPE accreditedg education programs. The program, being held at WSP, USA/Louis Berger Morristown offices, is $275 for NJSPE members and $325 for non-members until November 8. Below is the full schedule for the day. Check it out and then register to attend!

Introduction to Connected and Automated Vehicles

Accreditation: 1 PDH credit, NJ, PA, & NY
Speakers: K.R. Marshall, PE, Vice President and Senior ITS Manager, WSP USA, Inc.; Kathleen Swindler, PE, PTOE, Senior Traffic/ITS Engineer, WSP USA, Inc.; Jeff Randall, PE, PTOE, ITS Engineering Manager – Northeast Region, WSP USA, Inc.; Brian Reed, MCSE, CCNA, CCNP, CISSP, Manager of Geospatial & Applied Technology and Technical Principal, WSP USA, Inc.
This course will provide an overview of the engineering and design history of connected and automated vehicles (CAV,) the CAV industry and the various technologies being utilized and/or developed. Current pilots and trials ongoing around the world, increasing on-board automation in new vehicles, and some operational systems already in place, will be reviewed.

CAV’s – What’s Hot? Keeping up with the Rapid Evolution of New Mobility and its Infrastructure needs

Accreditation: 2 PDH credits NJ, PA, & NY
Speakers: K.R. Marshall, PE, Vice President and Senior ITS Manager, WSP USA, Inc.; Kathleen Swindler, PE, PTOE, Senior Traffic/ITS Engineer, WSP USA, Inc.; Jeff Randall, PE, PTOE, ITS Engineering Manager – Northeast Region, WSP USA, Inc.; Brian Reed, MCSE, CCNA, CCNP, CISSP, Manager of Geospatial & Applied Technology and Technical Principal, WSP USA, Inc.
This course will provide an in-depth look at the breakthroughs in connected and automated vehicles technologies that are poised to revolutionize local and national transportation systems for decades to come, potentially bringing significant changes to the built environment and how residents live, work and move around their communities. As technology manufacturers, software developers, auto companies, universities and many other professionals continue to imagine and test
these technologies and methods to optimize the nation’s transportation system, agency officials, engineers and planners should have a working knowledge of them to make decisions about future local transportation needs and investments.

How NJ, NY and PA agencies are preparing for connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Accreditation: 1 PDH credit, NJ, PA & NY
Speakers: K.R. Marshall, PE, Vice President and Senior ITS Manager, WSP USA, Inc. – Facilitator; NJDOT (Invited); PANYNJ – (Invited); NJTA – (Invited)
This course will provide an open discussion with the NJ, NY and PA agencies on the policy and technical issues their agencies are facing with the advent of CAV technology. Current policies and specific initiatives of each agency will be discussed, as well as their respective view of the agency on how their facilities will be impacted.

Professional Engineering Ethics 101

Accreditation: 2 PDH credits, NJ, PA, & NY
Speakers: Lawrence P. Powers, Esq, Partner, Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP
The overall learning objective is to expose the seminar participants to various engineering related professional and statutory codes of ethics in order to inculcate ethics awareness and an understanding of ethical standards common to all jurisdictions, including those of the participants, so that the participants understand the boundaries of ethical engineering behavior.
Part I – This will be an introduction to common statutory and regulatory ethics rules, wherein the participants will be taught why they exist, how they govern their practice and what the practical implications of unethical behavior can be. Participants will be given examples of common ethics rules and some illustrative case studies to consider, followed by instruction on how violations of such ethics rules are commonly dealt with by the administrative agencies which have jurisdiction over their practice locales.
Part II – This will be an introduction to the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics, wherein the participants will be taught why they exist, how they were developed, how professional codes of ethics can affect their practice and what the practical implications of unethical behavior can be to members of professional engineering societies. Participants will be given examples of common ethics rules and some illustrative case studies to consider, followed by instruction on how violations of such ethics rules are commonly dealt with by NSPE and state engineering societies which have jurisdiction over their practice locales, with a particular emphasis on the similarities and differences between governmental and professional society sanctions.
Part III – This will be a discussion of the practical reasons for ethical practice, with examples of how unethical practice can present professional liability and legal issues, licensure issues and moral issues based upon case studies where unethical practice has resulted in the impairment of the public health, safety and welfare. Participants will be challenged with using their new knowledge to suggest resolutions for hypothetical ethics problems posed by the instructor.

We Want to Help you Meet your PDH Requirements!

April 2020 is the next deadline for the biennial PE license renewal. In the State of New Jersey, 24 professional development hours are required every two years, including two to eight of those hours completed in ethics. While completing the PDH requirements for the PE license can be a huge task if you wait until the last minute, there are ways to make the process a little easier.

To assist our members with the final push of credit completion, we have compiled some current and upcoming opportunities NJSPE will be offering that can earn you credits!

Online Opportunities

We have received numerous requests by our members and nonmembers to offer low-cost, online webinars that count toward your PDH requirements for the PE license. You’ve asked, and we’ve listened.

We currently offer Professional Engineering Ethics 101 online, which has been approved by 2 PDH credits in New Jersey. Taught by Larry Powers, Esq., this course is broken into several parts, including introduction to common statutory and regulatory ethics rules; review of the NSPE’s Code of Ethics with examples/case studies and an emphasis on the similarities and difference between governmental and professional society sanctions; and practical reasons for ethical practice.

Professional Engineering Ethics 101 is $35 for members and $50 for nonmembers. Once you pay securely via PayPal, you will be directed to a page where you must submit the full name to appear on your certificate of completion as well as an email where we can email you the link. It is important to note that your $35 or $50 payment is only good for ONE person’s PDH credits. Sharing the link to people will not result in free credits for those people.

After completing 100% of the video, you will submit a short survey, and your certificate of completion will be emailed to you within 14 days.

We are hoping to have additional online opportunities to earn your PDH credits prior to the end of the April 2020 deadline, so stay tuned!

In-person

In-person events are a great way to knock out most of your credits in one or two days! This year, we will be offering two full-day continuing education opportunities. The first one will be held in November 2019, and the second one will be held in March 2020.

Like previous years, these in-person events will be held in different parts of the state and will offer around six PDH credits. There will be an ethics course offered as well as additional courses on popular engineering topics. We hope to receive credit approval for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Information will be posted in the next week or two, so stay tuned!

Meeting the PDH requirements for the PE license is easier with the help of NJSPE! Please contact us at info@njspe.com or give us a call at 609-393-0099 for more information on becoming a member.

State-by-State Requirements for Continuing Education Credits for Professional Engineers

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.

15 Free Engineering CEs!

All professional engineers are required to meet a number of professional development hours, with two of those hours being in ethics, to maintain their license. One of the biggest reasons many people join a society for professional engineers is to have access to a wide-range of continuing education opportunities. While full-day classes and multi-day conferences offer a large number of credits, we understand carving time out of your life isn’t always possible. That’s why 15 free webinars are available, all offering professional development hours, via the National Society of Professional Engineers.

These free webinars are each approved for one continuing education credit each. So if you’re looking to knock out your educational requirements from your computer, here are this year’s free engineering CEs for NSPE members:

Advancing Your Career: Seven Essentials Principles to Set Yourself Apart – this webinar identifies the necessary behaviors for building a successful career and how to apply them as well as how to be a resource who brings perspective to the workplace and contributes to the company’s mission.
Architects & Engineers Claims Risk: Impact of Changing Technology and Inexperience – this course takes a deep dive into the biggest trends affecting architects and the engineering industry. It’ll provide insight into any changes expected in the profession, including how our reliance on technology will forever change the way we operate.
Engineering Career Development: How to Manage and Retain the Future Workforce – designed for managers, this webinar looks at the common characteristics of the incoming workforce so you can learn how to retain them at you company. It also sets basic expectations for young engineers, so they can successfully get started in their careers.
Engineering Ethics: Marketing Communications, and Employment – eligible for ethics credits, this webinar reviews the NSPE Board of Ethical Review cases on being selected as a conference speaker by a former employer, transitioning from an employer to a competitor, non-inclusion of state licenses in email signatures, providing engineering advice on social media, and establishing your own firm.
Engineering Ethics: The PE and Domestic and International Gifts – this ethics course discusses a PE’s dedication to public health, safety and welfare and focuses on legal and ethical issues related to domestic and international gifts.
Engineering Ethics: The PE and Sustainable Development – eligible for ethics credits, this course reviews the NSPE Board of Ethical Review cases on obligations of the engineer in relation to environmental concerns, public criticism toward environmental concerns and whistleblowing.
Engineering Ethics: The PE as an Expert Witness – this free webinar focuses on the ethical issues related to forensic clients, refusal to testify agreements, and forensic services related to criminal prosecutions.
Hurricane Engineering Response: Restoring Power to Puerto Rico – this webinar looks at the 2017 hurricane season to explore the roles a PE plays in disaster recovery. It reviews best practices on making ethical decisions as well as crisis management strategies.
Introduction to the 2018 EJCDC Construction Series Documents – this course provides an overview of the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee, specifically focusing on the Construction Series documents.
License to Succeed: Compliance for Architecture, Engineering and Construction Firms – this free course surveys the greater regulatory landscape for architecture, engineering and construction firms, and industry that isn’t built for mobility or speed. It provides strategies to overcome these challenges and common mistakes.
Navigating Successful Project Delivery – this webinar examines liability related to the broad spectrum of services offered by engineers. It looks at key risk factors and ways to manage risk to ensure a more successful outcome.
Prevention through Design – this course defines prevention through design as stated in the Code of Ethics, identifies examples of PtD in design and construction, discusses its barriers and processes, and offers a plan for implementing it into your organization.
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) and its Importance to Engineering and the Public – this session defines QBS and its value, discusses related legislative and regulatory requirements, and provides an overview of how NSPE is promoting and protecting it.
Staying Relevant: The Lifelong Learning Journey – learning is crucial for PEs. This course discusses how education fuels career success, how to use change as a learning opportunity, how to align interests with learning, and how to chart, start and sustain a lifelong learning journey.
Understanding Wastewater Engineering – this webinar explains wastewater sources and treatment technologies. It also looks at storm water generation, engineering controls, and various industrial applications.

Remember: these are FREE engineering CEs for all NSPE members. If you’re not a member, these courses are $150 each. Become a NJSPE member today to unlock all these courses for free and get a jumpstart on completing your educational requirements.

Earn Engineering Continuing Education Credits in New Jersey

On April 29, NJSPE will be holding a full-day of engineering continuing education at The Palace at Somerset Park. Each course is designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest information all professional engineers need to know and provide you credits to maintain your license. All 10 credits are eligible for New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania engineers. Here are the courses you will take:

Professional Engineering Ethics 101: The program is broken into several parts. Introduction to common statutory and regulatory ethics rules; review of the National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics with examples of common ethics rules, illustrative case studies to consider, with emphasis on the similarities and differences between governmental and professional society sanctions; practical reasons for ethical practice, how unethical practice can present professional liability, legal, licensure, moral and public health, safety and welfare issues. Presented by Larry Powers, Esq.
Resilient coastal design in an uncertain future – demonstrated by recent catastrophic storm emergency reconstructions & Bridging the Gap between Utilities and the Transportation Project: Discussions will include accessing damaged roadway infrastructure and gathering survey and design data in an area devastated by a natural disaster; engineering solutions to provide sustainable pavement and drainage infrastructure (protection from future catastrophic storm events); innovative utility conflict coordination methods (well over 1000 conflict locations), private property owner and agency coordination, along with several design, construction, and Project Management tools and techniques developed for this massive undertaking. Presented by Drew Markewicz, PE, PMP.
Stormwater Management Fundamentals: This course will review the fundamental aspects of Stormwater Management that can be defined as a System of Strategies and Measures to Manage the Creation, Collection, Conveyance, Storage, Treatment, Use, and Discharge of Stormwater Runoff to Prevent the Adverse Impacts of Land Disturbance, Development, and Redevelopment. Areas covered will touch on Runoff Drainage and Conveyance, Flood and Erosion Control, Nonpoint Source Pollution Control, Watershed Planning and Design, Groundwater Recharge, Structural and Nonstructural Strategies and Measures.
Hydrograph Routings Accreditation: Important aspects of Routings to be utilized in the Development of Hydrographs will be covered in this course. Routing can be defined as a Mathematical Procedure for Predicting the Change in Magnitude, Speed, and Shape of a Hydrograph as a Function of Time. This presentation will cover Hydrologic and Hydraulic Routing Methods, Level Pool Routings, Storage Indication Calculations, Stage Storage and Stage Discharge Curves and Methods of Estimating Storage Volumes. Also included is a review of Computer Programs that may be Utilized in Performing these Calculations. Presented by Joseph J. Skupien, P.E., P.P.

If you’re interested in learning about these topics and earning engineering continuing education credits, register before it’s too late. Seats are going fast and they will sell out. If you’d like to learn more about the NJSPE Code of Engineering Ethics, please click here.

Earn Professional Development Hours from Home for Free!

Most of these webinars change every year, so they focus on the most current topics in engineering. They are pre-approved for one continuing education credit each, allowing engineers to knock out a large chunk of their credits from their computers! While these courses are anywhere from $25 to $149, they are free if you belong to the National Society for Professional Engineers. This year’s webinars are:

10 Strategies to Motivate, Inspire, and Engage your Team for Results – this course gives tips on motivating and engagement followers, team members, and customers. By the end, you will learn the importance and benefits of working together, how to get more from the people you work with, and how to develop your own strategy for success on your team.
Best Practices to Communicate Clearly Through Writing – even in engineering, writing effectively is an extremely vital skill. This course provides an overview of sentence structure, correct grammar, writing for your audience, organization, and how to write clearly and concisely.
Closing the Soft Skills Gap in Engineering Practice Webinar – learning objectives in this course include learning the history of the soft skills gap in engineering, defining important soft skills keywords, reviewing the Engineering Competency Model, and identifying how to develop soft skills.
Critically Thinking for Engineers – engineers use critical thinking every day. This webinar helps identify complex problems, effectively utilize inspection and questioning, control bias, and leverage these skills across your entire team to solve problems.
Engineering Ethics: Objectivity and Truthfulness – this webinar offers ethics credits. It highlights several Board of Ethical Review Cases, including previously encountered site conditions; reassignment to another job; public health, safety, and welfare; and confidentiality.
Ethics and Engineering – here’s another one that offers ethics credits. This course explains why ethics are so important to engineering, how to deeply understand ethics, and discusses several Board of Ethical Review cases.
Going Digital: Digital Signatures and Digital Document Delivery – we are well into the digital age, so papers are no longer being signed and being replaced with documents signed digitally on the computer. This webinar explains the legalities of digital signatures, the pros and cons of them, and identifies best practices.
Growing Into a Strategic Role within Your Company – you can always add new value to your firm, and it will benefit you if you do. This course explains how to think and work strategically, teaches how to communicate in a way that executes ideas and strategy, develops plans for career development, and identifies strategic drivers.
How to Develop the Engineering Leader Inside of You – don’t just be an engineer; be a leader. Learn how to create a leadership mindset, define the characteristics of a leader, delegate tasks efficiently, and understand the important of trust and respect.
Introduction to MicroGrids for Commercial and Humanitarian Needs – In this course, you will learn what a microgrid is, how it differs from the grid, the factors driving the microgrid market, how they are controlled, and how it is applied in developing countries.
Engineering Ethics: Signing and Sealing of Documents – this course also offers ethics credits. Signing and sealing documents is a perk of being a professional engineer. Review several Board of Ethical Review cases, including fire sprinkler layout drawings, conflicts of interest, driverless vehicles, and doing a favor for a public official.
Licensure Under Attack – the professional engineering license is always under attack. That’s why advocacy is a huge reason for joining a society for professional engineers. Learn about protecting the license.
New Approach to Engineering Marketing: How to Future-Proof Your Firm – marketing is more than just mailing flyers. Learn about the trends and expectations of potential buyers, where engineers are investing marketing money, and the role research will play in future growth.
Engineering Ethics: Public Health, Safety, and Welfare – Another ethics course. This webinar reviews Board of Ethical Review cases, such as water testing equipment, receiving submissions past deadlines, omitting address on advertising, and leveraging expert witness testimony.
Self-Driving Cars: An Examination of Ethical Issues at the Micro and Macro Scale – this is an engineering hot topic. Autonomous vehicles are very close to hitting the highways. This webinar explains how driverless cars will change our roads and how to effectively create systems that are safe for the public.

We don’t know why you’re still here! Log into your membership account and get started taking one of these webinars to earn continuing education credits now. If you have any questions regarding engineering license requirements or any of these webinars, let us know at info@njspe.org.

Importance of Continuing Education for Professional Engineers

Engineering continuing education courses are required among many societies for professional engineers. In the State of New Jersey, professional engineers are required to complete 24 professional development hours (PDH) and two of those must be in professional practice ethics. NJSPE is committed to providing courses that are pre-approved in and around the tri-state area, so engineers with multiple licenses will be afforded the opportunity to complete and meet the requirements in those states.

Continuing education courses are the best way to meet your requirements and learn something new. The next opportunity for a full-day of continuing education is coming up on April 23, 2018. The day of courses and speakers offers 6.5 PDH credits for professional engineers in New Jersey, and 4.5 PDH for New York, Pennsylvania, and other states that accept New Jersey credits.

Why continue education?

Continuing education goes beyond just meeting PDH requirements. It involves business development, career development, ethics education, and technical skills. Many of these courses come in the form of online seminars, live seminars, conferences, and online courses. As engineering disciplines become more specialized, continuing education becomes more crucial to managing a rising career. Throughout much of our educational lives, it was enough to simply get good grades and get a degree, but in a field like engineering, it’s essential to get ahead. Continuing education courses are available, free and paid, to all New Jersey Society for Professional Engineer members. A list of courses and events can be found on the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) website.

You already have a bachelor degree and maybe even a masters, so why is continuing education important?

The industry is ever changing.

You would never go to a doctor who isn’t up-to-date on the latest medical practices. The same should go for engineers. Engineering professionals must adapt to new technologies and skills in their fields. As a member of a society for professional engineers, you have available to you the knowledge and skills needed to advance in your career.

More skills = increased career opportunities and higher pay.

Your skills and knowledge are what will set you apart from another engineer applying to the same job or trying to score a promotion. Additionally, the more you know in the industry, the more you’re worth.

Meet requirements.

To maintain your professional engineering license, you must earn 24 PDH credits. Two PDH credits must be on professional practice ethics. Continuing education is the only way to help you meet those requirements, but you can choose to receive them from conferences, webinars, or in-person courses.

More education means more solutions.

Continuing education courses can bring fresh insight and new creative ideas to your engineering projects. Of course, it’s nice to learn a new skill, but you may realize that when combined with other skills, you can achieve greater things. Linking a variety of skills can create unique ideas and solutions.

If you’re still short on PDH credits or you want expand your knowledge and skills, join us for a full day of continuing education on April 23, 2018. Register now before the event fills up: https://goo.gl/ydQFJT

Ways for Continuing Education Engineers to Earn Professional Development Hours

Professional development hours are a key part of maintaining licensure. They are essential to keeping engineers at the top of their game through continuing education. Requirements vary by state, but there are opportunities to achieve these hours that are applicable nationwide.

In the State of New Jersey, 24 professional development hours, or PDHs, are required. At least two must be in professional practice ethics.

Web Seminars

NSPE offers 15 free courses as a membership benefit to assist in the process of meeting the professional development requirements. Viewers are required to view the content and pass the quiz at the end with a score of 70 percent or higher. If successful, the viewer earns an attendance certificate along with the designated number of credits or professional development hours.

Examples from the selection of available courses include, but are not limited to:

Building Your Pipeline of Success (1 PDH)
Engineering Ethics: Licensure and Professional Practice Concerns (1 PDH)
Real and Perceived Concerns About Hydraulic Fracturing (1 PDH)

As long as the viewer has access to a computer with audio and Internet access, they can complete the seminar anywhere. New courses are added annually.

Independent Study

Independent study opportunities are available, whether they are taken as print, DVD, or online.

Conferences and Events

Events are an excellent way to meet others in the engineering field, expand networking opportunities, and complete professional development hours.

Professional Engineers Conference: NSPE hosts its annual conference in August. In 2020, it will held from August 12-16. The full conference provides up to 12 PDHs, completing half the requirements in the State of New Jersey. Learn more.
State and Local: While the Professional Engineers Conference gathers attendees nationwide, state and local events provide the opportunity to engage with members of the engineering field from the same area.
Online Forums: Attending events from home eliminates worries of travel time and expenses. Attendees can chat and network with other online users to gain tips and knowledge from anywhere in the country.

Learning and networking are key components of the process for continuing education for engineers. Contact NJSPE for more information on becoming a member and gaining access to all the benefits, such as the free online courses.