Law Governing Continuing Education For Professional Engineers
Since January 1, 2002 licensed professional engineers renewing the registration of their license have been required to complete 36 contact hours of continuing education in each three-year registration period.
The relevant laws and regulations pertaining to continuing education can be found in section 7211 and 7212 of Article 145 of Education Law and sections 68.11 and 68.12 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. To request a copy of the laws and regulations call 518-474-3817 ext. 140 or fax your request to 518-473-6282 or write to the New York State Education Department, Office of Professions, State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying, 89 Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor Mezzanine East Wing, Albany, NY 12234.
This information for educational purposes only. For the most up to date versions of the laws and regulations relating to continuing education for professional engineers, please visit The Office of Professions web site for the full text of the Education Law and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education at https://www.op.nysed.gov/engineering
For more information please visit the State Education Department’s FAQs on Continuing Education for Professional Engineers: https://www.op.nysed.gov/continuing-education-engineering
CHANGES TO CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Advisory Notice:
Regulatory Amendments approved and Effective January 1, 2022
The New York State Board of Regents approved regulatory amendments in engineering, land surveying and geology that are effective January 1, 2022. These regulatory amendments offer greater flexibility by updating and modernizing the continuing education requirements for professional engineers and land surveyors while implementing continuing education requirements for professional geologists. For a detailed view of the regulatory amendments, see the Regulations of the Commissioner on the website: Click Here
Below is a summary of the major regulatory changes:
- The continuing education requirements may be completed via courses of learning or in live classes as determined by the licensee, provided that the continuing education is completed through a Department-approved sponsor and is in an acceptable subject area
- Professional engineers, land surveyors and professional geologists may now complete their continuing education in additional subject areas, including architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design.
- Six hours of “carry over” credit may now be used from one registration period to another, within certain parameters.
There is a mandatory 1 PDH per each triennial registration period in the area of ethics.
The second change allows up to 9 PDHs per each triennial registration period for participation on a technical or regulatory committee that is established by a government agency or professional association. 1 PDH can be earned for every 2 hours spent working on a committee. To claim this credit, your participation must be certified by an authorized individual within the agency or association. This is considered an “other educational activity. Click Here
