In most places, it is mandated by the state’s labor department that professional engineers must undergo professional development training (PDH) for specific hours to retain their license.
The midwestern state of the US, Missouri, requires its professional engineers to have at least thirty hours of professional development to keep their license. And only the selected ones are allowed to move ahead in Missouri.
The process might be challenging if you apply for your license renewal for the first time since your licensure. So, here are some things that you must know about Missouri engineering PDH. It will help you during the license renewal process.
What are PDH credits?
PDH, also known as professional development hours, are mandatory credits by the labor department to keep the workforce updated with the recent innovations and trends in their industry. One must complete at least thirty hours of PDH every two years to be eligible for license renewal.
What are the courses that are required for PDH credits?
As per the labor department, there are no pre-approved courses or specific courses for engineers. In other words, you have the freedom to choose and do courses per your preferences. However, ethics courses are highly recommended. While these classes are not mandatory, completing them is better.
Many websites offer a ton of courses for Missouri engineering PDH. You can take a course package to collect a lot of credits under your PDH. This will help you renew your license and learn new skills.
Acceptable courses for credits
Online courses
Online courses that meet Missouri’s professional department requirements are approved, and you will be eligible for continuing education. However, the attendance and materials must be verified if you are taking online courses that impart education through predated videos and downloadable links.
Some websites provide study materials and courses for PDH only. They offer classes for almost every type of engineering vertical, making it easy for students or professionals from different backgrounds to find the required courses.
Live webinar
Best known for its landmark Gateway Arch, Missouri, is quite popular amongst international students for its renowned colleges and universities. Due to the ease of online teaching mediums, webinars in Missouri have become a popular supplement to traditional seminars and conferences. When you sit for webinars or attend society meetings related to your profession, as long as the central topic of your session pertains to your profession, it will benefit you.
College courses
As an engineer, if you are going back to college to take up another course, you will be eligible for continuing education credits as long as the college course pertains to your licensed profession. A non-engineering course will not help you fetch any credits for your PDH. So, ensure that you choose only those college courses that are eligible for credits.
Conclusion
So, these are some things you must know about PDH and continued education. There are different types of courses that one can do depending on their skill level and interest. You cannot attend live classes or courses and can participate in online ones. Many websites nowadays offer courses especially for professional engineers to hone their skills and meet the mandate set by the labor department. Once you have completed your required hours of professional development, you get permission to carry forward the remaining hours of training for next year’s credits.