Recognized formats
- Technical or professional presentations
- Seminars and tutorials
- Correspondence courses
- Internet courses
- Televised or recorded courses
- Employer and organizational programs
- College or university courses
Tennessee Professional Engineer Renewal
Tennessee PE Continuing Education Requirements
Tennessee professional engineers generally complete 24 continuing-education hours during each two-year renewal period, with at least 13 hours addressing health, safety, welfare, and technical competency.
Complete the hours within the renewal period
Certify only hours actually completed during the applicable two-year period. The six-month renewal grace period does not extend the period in which the required continuing education must be earned.
24 hours
Regular biennial renewal
13 hours
HSW and technical minimum
4 years
Record-retention period
30 days
Audit response deadline
Core Requirements
Regular renewal requires 24 hours every two years
| Requirement | Tennessee rule |
|---|---|
| Regular renewal | Complete 24 continuing-education hours during each two-year renewal period after the initial renewal. |
| First renewal | A newly registered engineer completes 12 hours during the two years immediately following initial registration. |
| HSW and technical content | At least 13 of the regular 24 hours must address health, safety, and welfare issues and technical competencies. For the first renewal, at least 7 of the required 12 hours must satisfy this standard. |
| Ethics | Tennessee does not specify a separate mandatory ethics-hour minimum for professional engineers. A relevant ethics activity may qualify under the Board’s general course criteria. |
| Renewal cycle | Engineer registrations renew biennially according to the individual registration period shown in the licensee’s online account. |
| Carryover | Tennessee does not provide a general carryover allowance for PE continuing-education hours. The full requirement must be completed during the applicable two-year period. |
| Reporting | Licensees certify completion during renewal but ordinarily submit course records only if selected for audit. |
Course Eligibility
The Board does not approve courses in advance
The registrant must determine whether an activity maintains, improves, or expands professional skills and knowledge. The presentation should be planned in advance and delivered by qualified individuals.
Useful engineering subjects
- Engineering design and analysis
- Codes, standards, and regulatory changes
- Public health, safety, and welfare
- Professional ethics and responsible charge
- Risk assessment and failure prevention
- Technical project delivery
- Emerging technology within the field of practice
Online-PDH course format
A relevant Online-PDH course with defined objectives, qualified instruction, substantive study material, an assessment, and a detailed completion certificate is consistent with Tennessee’s recognition of internet and correspondence courses. The engineer remains responsible for course selection and correct HSW or technical classification.
Records and Audit
Retain documentation for four years
Tennessee operates its continuing-education program as an honor system and audits approximately 5% of registrants. When selected, the registrant completes the summary log and uploads supporting documentation through the Board’s online licensing system.
Records requested for audit verification must be furnished within 30 days of the Board’s request. If submitted hours are disallowed, the Board may provide 90 days to complete the required hours. That corrective period should not be treated as permission to renew while deficient.
Maintain personal records: Keep documentation
under the engineer’s control. Missing records, deficient hours, or
an inaccurate renewal certification may result in Board action.
Home-Jurisdiction Reciprocity
Qualifying home-jurisdiction compliance may satisfy Tennessee
A Tennessee registrant who resides or has a principal place of business in another jurisdiction with mandatory continuing education may be deemed compliant in Tennessee when the registrant satisfies the home jurisdiction’s requirements and remains in good standing there.
When the pathway applies
- The other jurisdiction is the registrant’s residence or principal place of business
- That jurisdiction mandates continuing education for the profession
- The registrant has met its education requirement
- The registrant remains in good standing
- Good-standing documentation is supplied when requested
When Tennessee’s rules still apply
If the home jurisdiction has no mandatory continuing education, or the registrant is exempt there, the registrant must meet Tennessee’s requirement unless a Tennessee exemption independently applies.
Do not assume reciprocity: Holding another license
alone is insufficient. The rule depends on residence or principal
place of business, a mandatory home-jurisdiction program, actual
compliance, and good standing.
Status and Reinstatement
Different procedures apply outside active renewal
Inactive status
An inactive registrant is exempt from continuing education while inactive but may not practice, offer services, or use the professional title in Tennessee. Returning to active status requires certification of continuing education for exempt years, capped at 24 hours.
Retired status
Eligible registrants over age 62 who are not practicing may request retired status. Practice is prohibited, and use of the title must include “retired.” Reactivation includes continuing-education and fee requirements.
Grace period
The Board provides a six-month renewal grace period with monthly late fees. The grace period does not extend the period in which the required continuing education must have been earned.
Reinstatement
Reinstatement generally requires 24 PDH or an active out-of-state license. Longer lapses may also require professional references. Confirm the current procedure with the Board because reinstatement instructions depend on the length of expiration.
Official Sources
Verify the current rules before renewal
Informational notice: This summary is educational
information, not legal advice or a guarantee of course acceptance. The
Tennessee Board has final authority over continuing education and
license renewal.