Jordan Ellis

For many licensed engineers, continuing education starts as a license renewal requirement. The deadline approaches, the required number of hours must be completed, and the main goal becomes finding acceptable courses before the renewal period closes. That is understandable. Engineers are busy. Project deadlines, client needs, field work, design reviews, management responsibilities, and administrative requirements can make continuing education feel like one more task on an already crowded schedule. But continuing education can be more than a renewal obligation. When engineers choose courses strategically, continuing education can support career growth, improve technical judgment, strengthen professional confidence, and prepare engineers for new responsibilities. The key is to choose courses that satisfy licensing requirements while also helping you become better at the work you actually do, or the work you want to do next. Start With Your License Renewal Requirements Before choosing any course, start with the requirements for the state or states where you hold an engineering license. This step may sound obvious, but it is one of the most common sources of renewal problems. Continuing education requirements vary by state. One state may require a specific number of professional development hours during each renewal period. Another may require ethics training, state laws and rules, live instruction, or courses from approved providers. Some states allow self-paced online courses without much restriction, while others limit certain formats. Before selecting courses, confirm: How many hours are required When the renewal period begins and ends Whether ethics training is required Whether state laws and rules training is required Whether online courses are accepted Whether live or interactive courses are required Whether the provider must be approved Whether carryover credits are allowed What documentation must be retained This is especially important for engineers licensed in multiple states. A course that works well for one state may not satisfy another state’s specific requirement. The best continuing education plan starts with compliance, then builds toward professional value. Check out my YouTube video on choosing Continuing Ed courses that benefit your career. Choose Courses Related to Your Area of Practice The most useful continuing education courses are usually the ones that connect directly to your day-to-day engineering work. An engineer who designs stormwater systems will get more practical value from a course on hydrology, drainage design, erosion control, or water quality than from a course unrelated to that work. A mechanical engineer involved in building systems may benefit from courses on HVAC controls, energy codes, ventilation, equipment sizing, or commissioning. An environmental engineer may look for courses on remediation, treatment systems, air permitting, waste management, or groundwater monitoring. Relevant courses help you do your current job better. They can reinforce fundamentals, update you on changing standards, introduce new tools, or help you evaluate problems more effectively. When reviewing course options, ask: Does this topic relate to my current engineering responsibilities? Will this help me make better technical decisions? Does it address problems I actually encounter in practice? Does it help me understand current codes, standards, or regulatory expectations? Would this knowledge improve the quality of my work? A course does not need to match your work perfectly to be valuable, but it should have a clear connection to engineering practice. Use Continuing Education to Prepare for Your Next Role Continuing education should not only support the job you have now. It can also help prepare you for the next stage of your career. Engineers often move from technical work into project management, client communication, quality review, staff supervision, business development, or technical leadership. Each step requires new skills. A strong technical background remains important, but senior roles often demand broader judgment and better communication. For example, an engineer preparing for project management may benefit from courses on: Project planning and scheduling Risk management Cost estimating Contract administration Quality control Communication and documentation Construction administration Regulatory coordination An engineer moving into technical leadership may benefit from courses on: Advanced design methods Code updates Failure analysis Lessons learned from case studies Ethics and responsible charge Review of work prepared by others Mentoring younger engineers An engineer interested in a new technical area may use continuing education to build foundational knowledge before seeking project experience in that area. This is where continuing education becomes a career tool. Instead of asking, “What is the easiest way to get my hours?” ask, “What skills will make me more valuable two years from now?” Balance Technical Courses With Professional Practice Courses Technical knowledge is essential, but engineering practice also requires judgment, communication, documentation, ethics, and awareness of professional responsibilities. A well-rounded continuing education plan should include both technical and professional practice topics. Technical courses help engineers stay current in their discipline. These courses may cover design methods, codes, standards, software, equipment, materials, safety practices, environmental requirements, or emerging technologies. Professional practice courses help engineers improve how they apply technical knowledge. These may include topics such as ethics, responsible charge, quality control, project management, communication, documentation, leadership, and regulatory compliance. Both types of courses matter. A technically skilled engineer who communicates poorly can still create project risk. An experienced project manager who does not stay current technically may miss important changes in practice. A strong continuing education plan should develop both the engineer’s technical competence and professional judgment. Do Not Treat Ethics as a Checkbox Ethics courses are sometimes viewed as a required formality. That is a mistake. Ethics is central to engineering practice. Engineers are trusted to make decisions that affect public safety, infrastructure, environmental protection, buildings, industrial systems, utilities, and communities. Ethical issues are not limited to dramatic failures or disciplinary cases. They appear in ordinary project decisions. Ethics may be involved when an engineer decides whether to raise a safety concern, disclose a conflict of interest, seal a document, approve a substitution, communicate uncertainty, or accept an assignment outside their area of competence. A good engineering ethics course should help engineers think through practical situations. It should address professional judgment, public safety, responsible charge, conflicts of interest, honesty, documentation, and compliance with licensing laws. When choosing an ethics course, look for one that is specific to engineering practice. A general workplace ethics course may be useful, but engineering ethics should address the responsibilities that come with licensed professional practice. Look for Practical Examples and Case Studies The best continuing education courses do more than explain theory. They show how engineering concepts apply in practice. Practical examples, case studies, calculations, field scenarios, design problems, regulatory examples, and lessons learned help engineers connect course material to real work. This is especially important for experienced professionals, who often learn best when new information is tied to situations they recognize. A course on stormwater management is more useful when it includes design examples or regulatory scenarios. A course on engineering ethics is more useful when it presents realistic dilemmas. A course on remediation is more useful when it discusses actual site conditions, limitations, monitoring data, and decision-making. When evaluating a course, consider whether it includes: Realistic engineering scenarios Examples from professional practice Case studies or lessons learned Practical calculations or design considerations Discussion of common mistakes Clear explanations of how the topic applies in the field A course that is technically accurate but too abstract may be less useful than one that connects the material to actual engineering decisions. Consider Courses That Strengthen Weak Areas It is natural to choose courses in areas where you are already comfortable. That can be useful, especially when you need to stay current in your primary discipline. But continuing education is also an opportunity to strengthen weak areas. Every engineer has areas where additional training would help. Some engineers need better knowledge of current codes. Others need stronger writing skills, better project management habits, more confidence with regulatory requirements, or a better understanding of construction-phase services. Think about recent situations where you felt less prepared than you wanted to be. Did you struggle with a technical review? Were you uncertain about a code requirement? Did a project expose a gap in your understanding? Did communication with a client, regulator, contractor, or team member become more difficult than necessary? Those situations can point you toward useful continuing education topics. A good course can help close a knowledge gap before it becomes a larger professional limitation. Pay Attention to Emerging Issues Engineering practice changes over time. Continuing education is one of the best ways to stay aware of emerging issues that may affect your work. Examples include: Artificial intelligence and engineering practice Cybersecurity risks for infrastructure and control systems Climate resilience and adaptation Energy efficiency and decarbonization PFAS and emerging environmental contaminants Advanced materials Building performance standards Electrification Automation and remote monitoring Updated safety practices New regulatory requirements Not every emerging topic will be relevant to every engineer. However, engineers should pay attention to trends that may affect their discipline, clients, or industry. A course on an emerging issue may not immediately change your day-to-day work, but it can help you understand where the profession is heading. That awareness can be valuable for career planning, client service, and long-term professional growth. Choose Courses Appropriate for Your Experience Level A course should match your current knowledge and professional needs. An introductory course may be perfect if you are learning a new topic or expanding into a new practice area. But if you already have significant experience, you may need a more advanced course to gain meaningful value. On the other hand, advanced courses are not always the best choice. If you are moving into a new subject area, a foundational course may be exactly what you need. Skipping the basics can leave gaps that make advanced material harder to apply. Before choosing a course, consider: Is this topic new to me? Do I need a refresher or an advanced treatment? Does the course appear too basic for my experience level? Does it assume background knowledge I do not have? Will I be able to apply the material after completing it? Continuing education should challenge you enough to be useful, but not be so disconnected from your current knowledge that it becomes impractical. Evaluate the Course Provider and Instructor The quality of a continuing education course depends heavily on the provider, author, or instructor. A strong course should be developed by someone with appropriate technical knowledge and professional experience. The material should be organized, accurate, current, and clearly written. The provider should also issue proper documentation showing completion, credit hours, course title, and date. When evaluating a provider or instructor, consider: Does the provider focus on engineering education? Is the course written or taught by someone with relevant experience? Are the learning objectives clear? Is the course description specific? Are completion certificates provided? Does the provider explain whether courses are accepted in your state? Is the content current and professionally presented? For licensed engineers, the certificate matters, but the quality of the learning matters too. A low-quality course may satisfy a requirement, but it may not help your career. Think About Course Format Course format can affect both compliance and learning value. Self-paced online courses are convenient and flexible. They are useful when you need to fit education around a busy schedule. They can also be a good option for technical reading, independent study, and documentation-based topics. Live webinars provide more structure. They may offer interaction with an instructor, scheduled attendance, and a classroom-like experience without travel. They can be especially useful in states that require live or interactive learning. In-person seminars and conferences can provide deeper engagement, networking, and exposure to current industry issues. They may be more expensive and time-consuming, but they can be valuable for professional growth. Employer training can also be useful, especially when it relates directly to the engineer’s role. However, engineers should confirm whether employer training qualifies for license renewal and whether proper documentation is available. The best format depends on the topic, the engineer’s schedule, and the applicable licensing rules. Avoid Choosing Courses Only Because They Are Easy There is nothing wrong with convenience. Engineers are busy, and continuing education should be accessible. But choosing courses only because they are short, easy, or unrelated to your work misses the larger opportunity. A course that is easy but irrelevant may help meet a deadline, but it will not do much for your career. A course that requires more attention but improves your technical skill, professional judgment, or understanding of current practice is usually a better investment. The goal is not to make continuing education unnecessarily difficult. The goal is to make it worthwhile. Ask yourself whether the course will leave you better informed than you were before. If the answer is no, there may be a better option. Keep Documentation for Every Course No matter how useful a course is, it also needs to be documented properly for license renewal purposes. Engineers should keep records of every continuing education activity, including: Certificate of completion Course title Provider name Date completed Number of credit hours Course description or syllabus Instructor name, if available Ethics or laws and rules designation, if applicable Proof of attendance for live events, if applicable This documentation is especially important if you are selected for a licensing board audit. Many boards place the burden on the engineer to prove that the completed courses satisfy the renewal requirements. Good recordkeeping also helps engineers evaluate their professional development over time. A list of completed courses can show whether your learning has been concentrated in one area or whether you are building a balanced set of skills. Build a Continuing Education Plan The most effective engineers do not wait until the renewal deadline to think about continuing education. They create a plan. A simple annual or biennial plan can help you meet requirements while choosing better courses. Start by identifying mandatory subjects, such as ethics or laws and rules. Then select technical courses related to your discipline. Finally, add one or two courses that support career growth, leadership, project management, or emerging topics. A basic continuing education plan might include: Required ethics course Required state laws and rules course, if applicable Several technical courses related to current practice One course on project management or communication One course on an emerging issue or future career goal This approach helps engineers avoid last-minute decisions and makes continuing education more valuable. Use Continuing Education to Build Professional Credibility The courses engineers choose can also support professional credibility. An engineer who regularly completes courses related to their discipline, project responsibilities, and professional goals is better prepared to discuss current practice with clients, employers, regulators, and colleagues. Continuing education can also support internal advancement, technical leadership, and mentoring. While continuing education alone does not make someone an expert, it shows a commitment to staying current. It also helps engineers maintain the knowledge base needed to practice responsibly. This is especially important in fields where regulations, codes, and technologies change frequently. Engineers who stay current are better positioned to identify risks, explain requirements, and recommend sound solutions. Final Thoughts Engineering continuing education should do more than satisfy a license renewal requirement. It should help engineers stay current, strengthen technical competence, improve professional judgment, and prepare for future responsibilities. The best approach is to begin with the licensing requirements, then choose courses that also support your actual work and career goals. Look for relevant topics, practical examples, qualified instructors, strong documentation, and a format that fits both your learning style and your state’s rules. Continuing education is an investment of time. Engineers should choose courses that make that investment worthwhile. When selected thoughtfully, continuing education is not just something engineers have to complete. It is a practical tool for becoming more capable, more confident, and more prepared for the responsibilities of professional practice.