Are you a licensed
professional engineer in the state of Texas? If so, you must become
compliant with the Texas Board of Professional Engineer’s newly
implemented Continuing Education Program (CEP).
The Texas Board of Professional Engineers
in 2003 was instructed by Texas SB277 to implement a Continuing Education
Program. CEP credits, referred to as Professional Development Hours or PDH
units, are required for renewals due in the calendar year 2005.
Complete Texas SB277 rules are available
for viewing at
www.tbpe.state.tx.us/CEP_Info.htm. Portions of the Texas SB277 are
highlighted below:
CEP Rule – 131.139 – Texas Occupations
Code, Chapters 1001.202 and 1001.210.
f. PDH units may be earned as follows:
2. Successful completion of continuing
education courses, either offered by a professional or trade
organization, university or college, or offered in-house by a
corporation, other business entity, professional or technical societies,
associations, agencies, or organizations, or other group.
4. Presenting or attending seminars,
in-house courses, workshops, or professional or technical presentations
made at meetings, conventions, or conferences sponsored by a
corporation, other business entity, professional or technical societies,
associations, agencies, or organizations, or other group.
i. Determination of credit:
4. Credit for seminars and workshops will
be based on one PDH unit for each hour of attendance. Attendance at
programs presented at professional and/or technical society meetings
will earn PDH units for the actual time of each program.
j. The license holder is responsible for
maintaining records to be used to support credits claimed:
2. Attendance verification records in the
form of completion certificates or other documents supporting evidence
of attendance.
m. CEP records for each license holder are
subject to audit by the board or its authorized representative:
1. Copies must be furnished, if
requested, to the Board or its authorized representative for audit
verification purposes.
p. Noncompliance:
1. If an engineer does not certify that
CEP requirements have been met for a renewal period, the license shall
be considered expired and subject to late fees and penalties.
2. A determination by audit that CEP
requirements have been falsely reported shall be considered to be
misconduct and will subject the license holder to disciplinary action.
When should collection of Professional
Development Hours (PDH units) start?
CEP hourly credit will be required for
renewal in 2005. Start collecting credit immediately!
What is a unit and how is it calculated?
One hour of professional development course work, seminars, or
professional or technical presentations made at meetings, conventions or
conferences is equivalent to one PDH unit.
How many PDH hours are required per
year?
The Texas SB277 rule requires 15 PDH
units per year. Should you earn more than 15 PDH units in one year then
up to 15 PDH units can be rolled over to the immediate next year.
How should course work be evaluated for
credit?
Two basic criteria must be met:
1. Is the specific activity on the list
of approved activities outlined in the Texas SB277 rule?
2. Is the activity relevant to the
practice of a technical profession and does it include technical,
ethical or managerial content?
a. Presenting or attending qualifying
seminars, in-house courses, workshops, or professional or technical
presentations made at a meeting, convention and/or conference
sponsored by a corporation, professional or technical society,
association, agency, or organization.
b. Authoring published papers,
articles, and books or accepted licensing examination items.
Documentation and/or proof required?
Only two things are required of the TBPE
licensed professional engineer:
1. Fill in a list of activities and dates
on the TBPE license renewal statement. This is the primary document that
the board reviews and maintains and record of completing the CEP
requirement.
2. Keep documents of proof for your
activity such as a certificate of completion or attendance in a course
or seminar, a grade report, a flyer or agenda from a presentation or
meeting or any other documentation that shows the date, location,
duration and type of activity being claimed.
