Texas PDH requirements
Last checked against board materials . Sources: TBPELS two-year renewal FAQ, TBPELS continuing education program, TBPELS Acts and Rules, 22 TAC §137.17 (PDF).
Renewal cycle is changing
Texas is moving to two-year renewals. Your 2026 renewal is still 15 PDH with 1 ethics hour; the schedule below shows what is due after that.
- 30 PDH
- per 2 years
- Biennial
- January 31 or July 31
- None
- no rollover allowed
- 2 PDH
- of the total
Transition to two-year renewals
Every 2026 renewal is still 15 PDH with 1 ethics hour. The renewal after that depends on the month your license currently expires: renewals shorter than two years keep the 15 PDH requirement, and renewals of two years or more move to 30 PDH.
| License expires | Next expiration | Length | PDH due at that renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | July 2027 | 16 months | 15 PDH, 1 ethics |
| June 2026 | July 2028 | 25 months | 30 PDH, 2 ethics |
| September 2026 | January 2028 | 16 months | 15 PDH, 1 ethics |
| December 2026 | January 2029 | 25 months | 30 PDH, 2 ethics |
After that renewal every license is on a two-year January or July cycle at 30 PDH. The 16-month renewals are billed at the one-year fee and the 25-month renewals at twice that; the extra months are free.
How many PDH does a Texas PE need?
Texas PEs need 30 PDH per two-year renewal period, at least 2 of which must cover professional ethics, the roles and responsibilities of engineering, or a review of the Texas Engineering Practice Act and Board Rules. This replaced the 15 PDH annual requirement when the amended rules took effect January 7, 2026. Renewals during the transition run on a shorter schedule, so check the table above for what is due at your next renewal.
When does a Texas PE license renew?
Licenses now renew every two years, and every Texas license expires at the end of either January or July. Renewals previously fell on March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31 based on licensure date. Each license shifts to its new month once during the 2026 transition, and the board applies the extra months at no additional charge.
We are changing renewal dates such that all licenses or registrations will expire at the end of either January or July. TBPELS two-year renewal FAQ
Can Texas PEs carry over PDH?
Carryover has been eliminated. Under the amended rule a license holder may not carry PDH units forward into the next renewal period, so all 30 PDH must be earned within the two-year period they are claimed for. The previous rule allowed up to 14 PDH to roll over.
A license holder may not carry forward PDH units into the subsequent renewal period. 22 TAC §137.17(e)
Does the Texas board pre-approve courses?
The Texas Board doesn't pre-approve courses or providers. Engineers are responsible for choosing activities that meet Board rules and are relevant to the practice of engineering.
The board shall not pre-approve or endorse any CEP activities. It is the responsibility of each license holder to assure that all PDH credits claimed meet CEP requirements. 22 TAC §137.17(i)(2)
What content counts toward Texas PDH?
Courses must be relevant to the practice of engineering and may include educational, technical, ethical, or managerial content. At least 2 PDH per renewal period must cover ethics. Self-directed study is capped at 10 PDH per two-year period, up from 5 under the annual rule.
A minimum of 2 PDH units per renewal period must be in the area of professional ethics, roles and responsibilities of professional engineering, or review of the Texas Engineering Practice Act and Board Rules. 22 TAC §137.17(d)
Which activities count in Texas?
Texas places no limit on PDH earned through online, correspondence, or other short courses, so a full 30 PDH can be completed on-demand. Some other activities are capped per renewal period: participation in professional or technical societies is limited to 10 PDH (5 per organization per calendar year) and educational outreach to 6 PDH.
Successful completion of correspondence, on-line, televised, videotaped, and other short courses/tutorials. 22 TAC §137.17(f)(3)
Other Texas rules to know
CEP records must now be kept for four years, up from three, and are subject to Board audit. Our service provides immediate certificate access after each course and stores completion certificates for a minimum of ten years, available anytime through your account.
CEP records for each license holder must be maintained for a period of four years by the license holder. 22 TAC §137.17(l)
Rule changes in Texas
| Effective | What changed |
|---|---|
| Amended board rules took effect: 30 PDH per two-year renewal with 2 PDH in ethics, replacing 15 PDH and 1 ethics hour per year. Carryover was eliminated, the self-directed study cap rose to 10 PDH, and CEP records must be kept for four years. Board notice. |
Texas PE continuing education FAQ
Do I need PDH for my first renewal in Texas?
No. License holders are exempt from the continuing education requirement prior to their first renewal. The requirement starts with your second renewal. 22 TAC §137.17(n)(1)
I was deployed on active duty. Am I exempt?
Deployment outside the United States for more than 120 consecutive days in a given year of the renewal period exempts you from 15 PDH for that year, and you may qualify for each year of the period. Keep documentation in case of a CEP audit. 22 TAC §137.17(n)(2)
What if illness kept me from earning hours?
Disability, illness, or other clearly extenuating circumstances during a substantial part of the renewal period can support a partial exemption of up to 15 hours for one affected year, or a full exemption of 30 hours if the whole period was affected, with a sworn statement or healthcare provider statement if audited. 22 TAC §137.17(n)(3)
How do I bring an inactive license back to active status?
Earn the delinquent PDH and submit your CEP records to the board. Inactive one year or less: 15 units. Inactive more than one year: 30 units, all earned within the two years before reactivation. 22 TAC §137.17(o)
Do I send certificates with my renewal?
No. You certify on the renewal that CEP requirements are met and keep the records yourself for four years. The board audits by request, and a false certification is treated as misconduct. 22 TAC §137.17(k), (l), and (p)(3)
What happens if I renew without meeting the requirement?
You cannot certify compliance, so the license is treated as expired and subject to late fees and penalties. The alternative is to move the license to inactive status until the hours are complete. 22 TAC §137.17(k) and (p)(1)