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Are There Benefits to Continuing Professional Development?

by Russell J. Kehl, (S.M.ASCE), Graduate Student; University of Texas, Austin, TX,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1996, Vol. 66, Issue 10, Pg. 52-53


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

This paper was selected as the Mead student paper winner for 1996. The author defended the position that continuing professional development should be a priority for all engineers and should also be a requirement for maintaining professional licensure. He offers several reasons, among them the fact that such development lessens the engineer's legal liability. Taking such courses also enhances the respect for the profession and helps keep engineers up to date in their fields. Several states now require continuing education as a condition of license maintenance. These are Alabama, Iowa, New Mexico and West Virginia. Texas has a volunteer program and other states are considering changes to current licensing requirements. However, the author thinks it would be a mistake for ASCE or other professional engineering societies to mandate continuing professional development as a condition of membership. When there are nationwide requirements for continuing professional development for licensure, then ASCE should require the same for membership.

Subject Headings: Licensure and certification | Professional development | Professional societies | Professional practice | Volunteerism | Students | Maintenance and operation

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