12/3/08

WHEN DO I HAVE TO BEGIN ACCUMULATING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS AND HOW MANY DO I NEED?

All New Hampshire licensed Professional Engineers must satisfactorily demonstrate 30 professional development hours per biennial renewal period. All Professional Development Hours must be earned in the licensees renewal time frame, except for carry over credits awarded in their previous renewal period. New licensees are exempt from accumulating Professional Development Hours during their first license cycle. New licensees cannot earn carry over credits during their first renewal cycle.

WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOUR (PDH)?

A Professional Development Hour (PDH) is equivalent to one contact hour. One continuing education unit (CEU) equals ten PDH's.

HOW CAN I EARN THE REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS UNITS?

Professional Development Hour activities must be relevant to your practice of engineering and should include technical, ethical or managerial content. PDH units may be obtained through successful completion of college courses, participation on committees of professional or technical societies, on-line or correspondence courses, seminars, workshops, teaching, vendor demonstrations, in-house trainings, patents, publication of technical papers or professional/technical presentations made at meetings, conventions, or conferences. PDH units may also be earned by publishing a professional journal or textbook and through the award of patents. The criteria for professional development activities is outlined in administrative rules Eng 403.05 and 403.06.

DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT MY COURSES IN ADVANCE TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL?

The Board does not pre-approve courses. The Board is relying on the professional judgment of the licensee to choose courses which comply with the administrative rules, and enhances the professional knowledge of the licensee.

HOW LONG MUST I KEEP DOCUMENTATION OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

The licensee will be responsible for all record keeping. Documentation must be maintained for four years. Copies of documentation may be requested by the board for random audit purposes per Eng. 403.07 (c), (d).

HOW DO I REPORT MY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS TO THE BOARD?

Concurrent with the license renewal period that your professional development hours are due, you will be furnished with a renewal form that contains a summary log for Professional Development Hours earned or you may renew on-line at  https://nhlicenses2.nh.gov/professional/

Logs are also available for your personal use on the Board's web site at www.state.nh.us/jtboard/pece.htm.

 Licensees will list the credits claimed, courses taken and certify that you have complied with the continuing professional development renewal requirements of Eng 403.

ARE CARRY OVER CREDITS ALLOWED?

If you exceed the 30 PDH units required in any biennial period up to 15 PDH's may be carried forward into the subsequent renewal period, per Eng 403.01,(c).

WILL IT BE EXPENSIVE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

That depends on your individual selections. The licensee will be responsible for choosing programs that will meet the needs of their scope of practice; therefore it is up to the professional judgment of the licensee to choose from the types of programs that would most benefit their practice. In-house trainings given by your employer or vendor demonstrations may count towards or possibly fulfill your PDH requirement.

ARE THERE EXEMPTIONS TO THE PDH REQUIREMENT?

New licensees shall be exempt for their first renewal period. Licensees who list their occupation as retired on the renewal form and certify that they are no longer practicing professional engineering will be exempt from PDH requirements. Licensees on temporary active duty in the armed forces of the United States exceeding 120 consecutive days in a year are exempt. Licensees with proof of disability, or other extenuating circumstances may be exempt, however they must apply to the Board for their specific exemption, per Eng 403.08, 403.09.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSEES WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF OTHER STATES?

If the licensee documents that they have met the continuing professional development requirements of their home state, New Hampshire requirements will be deemed satisfied. If the licensees home state has no provision for continuing professional development the licensee will be required to meet the requirements of the State of New Hampshire per Eng 403.03.

HOW DO I KEEP TRACK OF THE COURSES AND SEMINARS I HAVE ATTENDED?

You will find a continuing professional development activity log for your own use on our web site at www.state.nh.us/jtboard/pece.htm or you may call the Board Office and we will mail you one.

I LET MY LICENSE LAPSE HOW DO I REINSTATE IT?

If your license lapsed before June 30, 1997 you may submit a reinstatement application, pay all applicable fees, no PDH's are required at this time. If your license lapsed after June 30, 1997, you must file a reinstatement application, pay all applicable fees and submit a Continuing Professional Development Log with the 45 PDH's required per Eng 403.04.

WHERE DO I OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS?

Your local and national engineering societies, colleges and universities, professional trade organizations or your employer may have information about Continuing Professional Development Programs. The Board maintains a Continuing Professional Development Calendar of Events on the Internet at www.state.nh.us/jtboard/calendar.htm with links to various organizations and educational institutions. You may submit questions or comments to Donna Lobdell, Administrative Assistant at dlobdell@nhsa.state.nh.us.

HAVE AUDITS OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES BEEN CONDUCTED?

The Board conducted annual audits of compliance with continuing education guidelines from 2000 -  2008. 5% of licensees were randomly chosen to provide proof of compliance with Administrative Rules Eng 403, Continuing Professional Development. Audits are conducted on a yearly basis.

HOW WERE LICENSEES CHOSEN FOR THE AUDIT?

A neutral third party was retained to query the Board's database for a random selection of licensees. No Board members or staff participated in selection of licensees for the audit.

HOW WAS THE AUDIT CONDUCTED?

Licensees randomly chosen for the audit, were notified by mail of the requirement to provide verification to the Board of 30 Professional Development Hours claimed on their renewal and were given approximately 30 days to submit verification. Once verification was received it was reviewed for compliance and the licensee was notified of the audit results.

WERE THE AUDITS A SUCCESS?

Yes, 95% of licensees audited submitted the requested documentation completely, accurately and in a timely manner.  Every effort was made to work with licensees chosen for audit to assist them with providing proper documentation. Upon completion of the audit, all licensees audited were able to provide verification of compliance. 

WHAT ISSUES AROSE AS PART OF THE AUDIT?

Several licensees failed to retain verification records as required per Administrative Rule Eng 403.07 (c) and had to go back to the course sponsors or organization and request documentation be reissued. One out of state licensee failed to provide the requested documentation and let his license lapse. He will have to comply with an Order from the Board if he wishes to bring his license back to active status.

WHEN WILL THE NEXT AUDIT BE CONDUCTED.

Audits are conducted on a yearly basis. The next audit will be in the winter of 2009.