CEU Requirements for Alabama Professional Engineers
Alabama engineers frequently ask us – What are the continuing education requirement for Alabama professional engineers?
Alabama requires professional engineers to earn 30 professional development hours (PDH) every two years. Fifteen of these hours can be carried over into the next renewal cycle. The renewal deadline is December 31st of odd numbered years. While Alabama does not require any specific courses for completion, the board does have criteria for the activities considered acceptable PDH.
Continuing education is essential for professional engineers to stay on top of their field – and licensure. Being informed and aware of state requirements for license renewal prevents the possibility of expiration or rejection. Alabama has its own expectations for renewing professional engineer licenses. Alabama engineers can earn continuing education credits by taking online continuing ed courses, attending conferences and seminars, participating in live webinars, and completing self-directed activities.
For a summary of all license renewal requirements check out our Alabama PE renewal page.
Alabama PDH Credits
Upon receiving or renewing a professional engineer license in Alabama, engineers have 2 years to gain the necessary 30 hours of PDH before needing to renew. Fifteen hours from the last year of the previous renewal cycle can roll over into the new cycle. These Carry Forward hours can be checked on the state board website.
The Alabama State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BELS) only accepts online renewals. There is not a fee for online renewal, which can be completed on the state board’s website. The board does not pre-approve courses. Alabama also does not require any specific courses for license renewal, leaving it up to the discretion of the professional to determine if a course meets the board’s criteria.
Certificates of completion do not need to be submitted for license renewal. These records must be kept for a minimum of four years, though. If audited by the state board, the licensee must have access to accepted proof of completion for all PDH credits for at least that long. Failure to provide evidence of course completion can result in suspension or disciplinary action.
Alabama License Renewal Dates
Licenses must be renewed by December 31st of odd years. The state board sends out reminders to renew in October. If the renewal deadline is missed, your license expires. You may not work in Alabama with an expired license. Although the process to renew an expired license is similar to active license renewal, it is more expensive. All renewals must be completed online.
Engineering Ethics and Professional Conduct
Alabama does not require ethics, law, or professional conduct courses for license renewal. As long as they can be deemed relevant and useful for professional growth, these courses can be included in PDH. Webinars on these topics are available for PDH credit through the Alabama State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors’ website.
Records Keeping Requirements for Engineers
Professional engineers must maintain records of all certificates of completion for at least the past two cycles, or four years. If such records are not available, the PDH hours claimed will not be allowed if you are audited. Options for proof of PDH include:
- Certifications with the completion date, course, name of the firm providing the course, student name, and signature of the instructor
- Official letters or emails from courses without certificates containing the completion date, course, name of the firm providing the course, student name, and instructor’s signature
- Authorship of public papers, articles, books, etc.
- Proof of patent receipt
A detailed log with the name of the activity, organization associated with it, location, duration, instructor, and credits earned is also required. An online continuing education log is available through the state board website. Using this log simplifies transferring your records when renewing your license.
Records that are not accepted by the state licensing board include:
- Invoices
- Programs
- Sign in sheets
- Airplane ticket or hotel receipts for conferences
- Lunch and learn receipts
Continuing Education Activities Accepted by the Board
Alabama accepts many different types of continuing education activities as long as they meet the criteria set out by the board.
Online courses are accepted with evidence of completion.
Webinars are also an option for PDH credit. Live and prerecorded webinars are available on the state board website. PDH credit can be gained outside of Alabama as well. The state board does not accept any self-study options.
Other options for continuing education activities include:
- Completing or auditing college sponsored courses and courses awarded continuing education credits
- Completing tutorials or short classes
- Attending seminars, workshops, or conferences
- Receiving a patent
- Participating in educational outreach programs
PDH credits are not given if a written work is unpublished, a patent is unawarded, or for a role that is repetitive and regular without updated material.
Pre-Approval of Continuing Education Activities
The Alabama State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors do not pre-approve any continuing education activities or providers. All professional engineers are required to obtain certificates of completion and are not exempt from audits.
Sources of Free Continuing Education Courses
The state board offers free webinars on their website for professional engineers seeking PDH credit. The topics include ethics, law, and standards of practice. Instructions for certification of completion is available as well. Other free continuing education courses can qualify for PDH credit if they meet the board’s criteria.
Alabama Engineering Licensing
All licensed professional engineers are required to have thirty PDH every two years and a 4-year degree with a transcript provided. The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Professional Engineer (PE) exams offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) are required by the state board. These exams are available online. You must also have 4 to 6 years of credible experience depending on your degree.
To apply for a license in Alabama you need to register with the NCEES first. Next, take the FE and PE exams. Then, submit your experience, education, and citizenship verifications. This can be done through NCEES if you have an NCEES record. Finally, complete an online application containing 23 questions. Once your application is submitted it will be reviewed by the board, and you will hear back in 2 to 3 months.
All-In-One Engineering Packages for Alabama
PDH-Pro is dedicated to providing continuing education courses that meet the Alabama PELS requirements. We monitor the state rules and regulations and update our offerings accordingly. We used our knowledge of the Alabama continuing education requirements to develop course packages for engineers.
These packages include all required courses and are guaranteed to be accepted by the board. Select from packages by engineering discipline – chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, geotechnical, mechanical, and structural.
Engineering Discipline Restrictions
Alabama does not have restrictions for continuing education courses based on discipline. All professional engineers can earn PDH credit through the same courses and activities. The state board does require that the content is well organized, there is a clear purpose and objective for the activity, the presenter is well qualified, there is evidence of pre-planning including time for target audience input, and records are available.
The Final Word
As a professional engineer, it is important to stay informed about state requirements for continuing education and license renewal. If you are new or transferring to Alabama, you need to compare the Alabama State Board of Licensure for Engineers and Land Surveyors’ requirements to your previous residence to check if you are fully qualified to renew your license. Ensure that you will be able to renew your license with ease by adhering to the PDH and record keeping guidelines of the state board – and continue building your expertise as a professional engineer.