Approved by the Committee on Licensure on December 18, 2023 
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on January 24, 2024
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 18, 2024

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports requiring a minimum of fifteen (15) documented professional development hours (PDHs) per annum to maintain continuing professional competency, including ethics training, as a condition for maintaining status as a licensed Professional Engineer. ASCE also supports uniformity of continuing professional development requirements among licensing jurisdictions, specifically through common topic and PDH requirements, renewal periods, and documentation requirements. It is essential that practicing civil engineers remain current with advances in technology, understanding of our world, and societal expectations to maintain professional competency.

Issue

State licensing boards have placed an increasing emphasis on continuing professional development in both technical and non-technical content as a condition for maintaining and renewing professional licenses. Non-technical content can include training in ethics, standards of practice, codes of conduct, risk assessment management and other methods of professional practice essential for competent practice.

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), a federation of licensing boards within the U.S., has endorsed continuing professional competency in their Model Rules which state that every licensee shall obtain fifteen (15) professional development hours (PDHs) per annum. ASCE’s policy requiring a minimum of fifteen (15) PDHs is based on this model.

Currently, states have different continuing professional competency requirements, including renewal periods and PDH, and documentation requirements. Many civil engineers are licensed in multiple states and complying with each state’s specific requirements can become a barrier to practice. Therefore, there are practical reasons for uniform continuing professional development requirements among licensing jurisdictions. 

Rationale

To protect and advance the health, safety, and welfare of the public, ASCE’s Code of Ethics states that engineers shall continue professional development throughout their careers. For this reason, ASCE provides opportunities for continuing professional development. 

ASCE Policy Statement 425
First Approved in 1994