District of Columbia Professional Engineer Renewal
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.
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.
Core Requirements
| 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
Activities and 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. |
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
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.
Special Circumstances
An applicant seeking the first renewal of a license granted by examination is exempt from the continuing education requirement.
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.
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.
The Board may extend the 60-day late-renewal period for good cause, including qualifying serious illness, certain family circumstances, or active military service.
Official Sources