Alaska PDH requirements
Last checked against board materials . Sources: AELS continuing education instructions (PDF), 12 AAC 36.510 to 36.550 (PDF).
- 24 PDH
- per 2 years
- Biennial
- December 31, odd years
- 12 PDH
- into next period
- Not required
- no subject mandate
How many PDH does an Alaska PE need?
Professional Engineers in Alaska are required to complete 24 PDHs biennially, with courses relevant to the engineer's field of practice, prioritizing public health, safety, and welfare.
To renew a professional architect, engineer, land surveyor, or landscape architect registration, a registrant shall obtain a minimum of 24 professional development hours during the 24 months immediately preceding that registration period. 12 AAC 36.510(c)
When does an Alaska PE license renew?
The deadline for license renewal is December 31 of odd-numbered years.
Can Alaska PEs carry over PDH?
Up to 12 PDHs may be carried forward into the next renewal period.
If more than 24 PDHs are earned in a biennial period, a maximum of 12 PDHs may be carried forward into the next biennial period. AELS continuing education instructions
Does the Alaska board pre-approve courses?
The Board does not pre-approve courses or providers. Engineers must ensure activities meet Board requirements, with online and correspondence courses accepted.
Continuing education courses or activities are not pre-approved by the board, but must be in technical and professional subjects related to the scope of practice of the registrant. 12 AAC 36.510(g)
What content counts toward Alaska PDH?
Activities must be relevant to your field of practice and may carry technical, ethical, or other professional content. Regular employment, personal self-improvement courses, service club activity, and equipment demonstrations do not qualify, and Alaska does not mandate an ethics hour.
Which activities count in Alaska?
Web-based, correspondence, and recorded courses count hour for hour with no cap. Structured self-study is limited to four hours per year, and no more than 12 PDH may be claimed on a single calendar day.
Successful completion of short courses, tutorials, correspondence courses, web-based courses, and televised or videotaped courses. AELS continuing education instructions
Other Alaska rules to know
New registrants are exempt for their first biennial renewal, and registrants with 30 or more years of licensure in an NCEES jurisdiction may qualify for a reduced eight-hour requirement. If you hold a registration elsewhere with substantially similar CE rules, you may certify compliance with that jurisdiction instead. Keep records for four years; the board audits five percent of renewals and gives 90 days to replace any credits it disallows.
Records required under (a) of this section must include sufficient detail to permit verification during an audit, and must be maintained for at least four years from the date that the course or activity was completed. 12 AAC 36.540(b)
Alaska PE continuing education FAQ
Am I exempt for my first renewal?
Yes, for the first biennial registration renewal period following initial issuance. 12 AAC 36.530(a)
I have been licensed 30 years. Is there a reduced requirement?
Registrants with 30 or more years in an NCEES recognized jurisdiction are partially exempt and must complete eight hours per biennial licensing period. 12 AAC 36.530(e)
I am licensed in another state with CE rules. Do I have to repeat Alaska's?
If the other jurisdiction's mandatory CE is substantially similar to or exceeds Alaska's, you may certify that you met that jurisdiction's requirements. AELS CE instructions, Comity
What if the board rejects some of my credits in an audit?
You have 90 days to obtain acceptable CE. AELS CE instructions
Does military service change the requirement?
Registrants who served 120 consecutive days on active duty in a 12-month period are exempt for the following biennial period. 12 AAC 36.530(b)