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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
In the State of New Jersey, continuing education for engineers requires 24 professional development hours biennially. Professional engineers may employ various methods of completing continuing professional competency requirements, or CPC credits, every two years.
Professional Practice Ethics
Applicants must complete two to eight hours in professional practice ethics. As part of the National Society of Professional Engineers’ membership benefits, members gain access to 15 free online courses. Six of these include topics in engineering ethics.
Continuing Professional Competency Credits
Each credit shall consist of one 60-minute clock hour. These can be in the form of workshops, events, seminars, teaching, and courses. Courses may be taken online or at physical universities, colleges, or schools.
The 15 free online courses included with membership consist of a video that is followed by a quiz. To successfully complete each course, viewers must pass the quiz with a score of 70 percent or higher. Each course equals one professional development hour. They can be completed anywhere and on any computer with Internet access and working audio.
These can be completed with print copies, with DVDs, or online.
Members can attend state and local events, as well as nationwide conferences to complete hours. The Professional Engineers Conference will be held on July 19 to 23 in 2017. Attendees of the full conference can complete up to 12 credit hours.
Pre-Approval
The Board requires pre-approval for equivalent educational programs.
Credit Hours
There are no limits to how many online courses may be taken for credit hours. NSPE members receive 15 free online courses that count for one CPC credit, or one hour, each. Attendees of the Professional Engineers Conference can receive up to 12 hours for full attendance. These two programs combined total 27 hours, exceeding the required 24 hours.
Carrying Hours to Renewal Period
Up to 12 professional development hours may “rollover” to the next biennial renewal period.
Completion Records
Professional development hour completion records are required to be maintained for five years.
For any other questions regarding New Jersey continuing education for engineers, please contact NJSPE at info@njspe.com or give us a call at 609-393-0099. We look forward to providing more information and welcoming you as members.
Completing biennial professional engineering requirements in New Jersey is a major task, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. In the State of New Jersey, 24 professional development hours are required every two years, including two to eight of those hours completed in professional practice ethics. NJSPE is here to help you reach the required amount of continued education with ease.
When you become a member of NJSPE, one of the many benefits is receiving assistance in completing your continuing education requirements.
Free Online Courses
Members receive access to 15 free online seminars. Six of these training courses fall under the topic of engineering ethics, which will assist in the completion of the professional practice ethics requirements.
These courses count as one professional development hour each. In the State of New Jersey, there are no limits to how many online courses count as PDHs. The courses offer a wide-range of topics in engineering, such as:
To earn the credit hours, the videos will be followed by a brief quiz. With a passing score of 70 percent or higher, members will receive one PDH per course.
Conferences and Events
Whether they are nationwide or local, events are an excellent way to make connections with others in the field of professional engineering. But networking is just one perk of attending conferences or seminars – they also provide opportunities for receiving PDHs. NJSPE offers multiple opportunities each year, including NSPE’s major annual conference.
The conference is held each year for professional engineers and those working toward licensure. Attendees can earn continuing education credits with their attendance. In 2017, the conference will be held from July 19 to 23 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Attendees have the option to attend the full conference and receive up to 12 professional development hours, or attend a single day and earn up to six professional development hours.
Throughout the year, NJSPE offers continuing education events around the state. In May, one of the day-long events offered attendees seven PDHs.
Other Educational Opportunities
NJSPE is in the process of creating a catalogue full of educational opportunities for members. These methods may be online, in the office, or in person.
Engineering PDH requirements in New Jersey are easier to complete 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.
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