Iowa PDH requirements
Last checked against board materials . Sources: Iowa engineers and land surveyors licensing, IAC 193C chapter 7 (PDF).
- 30 PDH
- per 2 years
- Biennial
- December 31, even/odd by initial licensure
- 15 PDH
- into next period
- 2 PDH
- of the total
How many PDH does an Iowa PE need?
In Iowa, Professional Engineers are required to complete 30 PDHs biennially. Starting December 2019, there's a mandate to include 2 PDHs covering Ethics within the total PDH count.
The continuing education requirement for biennial licensure renewal is 30 professional development hours for an active licensee in engineering or land surveying. 193C IAC 7.5(1)
When does an Iowa PE license renew?
Licenses renew by December 31 in even or odd years depending on when you were first licensed, and the 30 PDH must be earned within the two-year period before that renewal. A newly licensed engineer owes half the biennial requirement at the first renewal; engineers licensed by comity are not eligible for that reduction.
Can Iowa PEs carry over PDH?
Up to 15 PDH earned beyond the requirement may be carried into the next biennium. Dual licensees may carry no more than 10 hours for each profession.
The number of professional development hours that may be carried forward into the next biennium shall not exceed 15. 193C IAC 7.5(1)
Does the Iowa board pre-approve courses?
The Board does not pre-approve providers or specific courses. It's the responsibility of each engineer to verify if an activity meets the Board's standards.
No preapproval of offerings will be issued. 193C IAC 7.3(3)
What content counts toward Iowa PDH?
The content should avoid personal development topics and should aim to maintain, improve, or expand skills and knowledge acquired before initial licensure, or to develop new and relevant skills and knowledge. The Board categorizes PDH credits into Group 1 and Group 2 activities. Group 1 activities have limitations on the number of hours allowed in each course area, while Group 2 activities, covering postgraduate level engineering science or design, new technology, environmental regulation, and engineering management, have no such restrictions.
At least 2 of the 30 professional development hours must be in the area of professional ethics. 193C IAC 7.5(1)
Which activities count in Iowa?
Online self-study courses, deemed as "independent study" by the Board, are capped at a maximum of 10 PDH each renewal period, though live, interactive webinars can be used to earn all mandated PDH credits.
Successful completion of courses on-line via the Internet 193C IAC 7.3(1)
Other Iowa rules to know
For individuals active in both engineering and land surveying, the requirement is 20 PDHs in engineering and 20 PDHs in land surveying biennially, with a total of 4 PDHs covering Ethics. Courses in CAD and fundamental computer applications are generally not acceptable, unless aimed at solving engineering or land surveying problems.
Documentation of reported PDHs shall be maintained by the licensee for two years after the period for which the form was submitted. 193C IAC chapter 7
Rule changes in Iowa
| Effective | What changed |
|---|---|
| Rule 193C-7.5 was amended (ARC 4206C) to require that at least 2 of the 30 PDH per biennium be in professional ethics, first applying to renewals in December 2019. Board notice. |
Iowa PE continuing education FAQ
I am newly licensed. How much do I owe at my first renewal?
One-half the biennial requirement. A comity license is not an initial license, so comity licensees owe the full 30. 193C IAC 7.5(6)
I hold both PE and PLS licenses. What is required?
40 PDH total: 20 in engineering and 20 in land surveying, with at least 4 in ethics; carryover is limited to 10 per profession. 193C IAC 7.5(1) and 7.5(4)
Are inactive licensees exempt?
Yes. 193C IAC 7.5(2)