Section outline

  • District of Columbia Professional Engineer Renewal

    Washington, DC PE Continuing Education Requirements

    District of Columbia Professional Engineers must complete 20 hours of acceptable continuing professional education during each two-year licensing cycle, including one hour of professional ethics.

    Authority: District of Columbia Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors  |  Reviewed: August 3, 2026

    Courses must satisfy the approved-program requirements

    Continuing education credit is valid only when earned through a program approved or deemed approved under 17 DCMR § 1527. Licensees are responsible for confirming that their courses and providers meet these requirements.

    20 HoursPer two-year licensing cycle
    1 HourProfessional ethics minimum
    4 YearsRecommended record retention
    60 DaysLate-renewal completion period

    Core Requirements

    Complete 20 hours including professional ethics

    Requirement District of Columbia rule
    Total hours Complete at least 20 hours of acceptable continuing professional education during the term of the license.
    Ethics requirement At least one of the required 20 hours must address professional ethics.
    Licensing cycle Professional Engineer licenses generally operate on a two-year renewal cycle.
    Qualifying content The program or activity must contribute to the growth of the licensee’s professional competence in professional engineering practice.
    Program approval Credit is valid only when earned through a program approved or deemed approved by the Board under 17 DCMR § 1527.
    Carryover The current continuing education regulation does not provide for carrying excess hours into a subsequent renewal cycle.
    Renewal attestation The licensee must attest to completing the required education and provide the requested information about each claimed program.

    Course Standards

    Approved sponsors and professional relevance are required

    Recognized program sources

    • NSPE, ASCE, and other recognized engineering societies
    • National or state land-surveying societies
    • National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
    • Engineering or surveying licensing boards
    • Federal agencies offering engineering training
    • State agencies offering engineering training
    • Accredited colleges and universities

    Potentially qualifying subjects

    • Engineering design and analysis
    • Codes, standards, and regulations
    • Engineering materials and technology
    • Professional ethics
    • Public health, safety, and welfare
    • Risk management
    • Quality assurance and responsible charge
    • Other practice-related technical subjects
    Approval and relevance are separate considerations: An activity should contribute to professional competency and must also be offered through a sponsor or program that satisfies the Board’s approved-program provisions.

    Activities and Credit

    Certain professional activities may receive limited credit

    Activity District of Columbia credit rule
    Approved courses Credit may be earned through approved professional engineering courses and educational programs that contribute to professional competence.
    Online education Online education may qualify when the subject matter and sponsoring program satisfy the Board’s continuing education requirements.
    College coursework Completion of an undergraduate or graduate course at an accredited college or university may receive up to six hours of credit.
    Teaching and development Initial development, substantial updating, or initial teaching of an academic course or conference program may receive up to six hours of credit.
    Professional publications Authoring or editing a qualifying published book, book chapter, professional article, or other nationally recognized publication may receive up to six hours of credit.
    Ethics education At least one hour must specifically address professional ethics and must otherwise satisfy the approved-program requirements.

    Online-PDH course eligibility

    An Online-PDH course may be used when its subject matter contributes to professional engineering competency and the course satisfies an approved-program pathway under 17 DCMR § 1527. Licensees should retain documentation supporting both successful completion and the applicable sponsor or program approval. Final acceptance remains with the Board.

    Records and Audit

    Maintain documentation for four years

    The Board’s continuing education reporting form advises licensees that their reported credits are subject to audit for four years. Licensees should retain sufficient documentation to verify every claimed program and credit hour.

    The Board may audit a renewal attestation and request additional proof. Discrepancies between the attestation and supporting records may result in professional discipline.

    Provider documentation is important: A certificate showing attendance may not establish every element of eligibility. Retain information demonstrating that the sponsor or program satisfies 17 DCMR § 1527.

    Special Circumstances

    First renewal, late renewal, and reinstatement differ

    First renewal exemption

    An applicant seeking the first renewal of a license granted by examination is exempt from the continuing education requirement.

    Late renewal

    A licensee who has not completed the required education by expiration may complete the outstanding hours and renew within 60 days after expiration by paying the required late fee.

    Reinstatement

    An applicant for reinstatement or renewal of an inactive PE license must complete 10 approved hours for each year the license was expired or inactive, up to 40 hours, including at least one ethics hour.

    Good-cause extension

    The Board may extend the 60-day late-renewal period for good cause, including qualifying serious illness, certain family circumstances, or active military service.

    Late hours cannot be reused: Hours completed after expiration to cure a renewal deficiency cannot also be claimed toward the next licensing cycle.

    Official Sources

    Verify current District requirements before renewal

    Informational notice: This summary is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice or a guarantee of course acceptance. The District of Columbia Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is the final authority. Licensees should verify their current license record, renewal instructions, provider eligibility, and course approval before renewal.

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