What is a PDH?
A Professional Development Hour (PDH) is the basic unit of continuing education for licensed engineers and surveyors. One PDH equals one contact hour (50–60 minutes) of qualifying activity. Ten PDH equal one Continuing Education Unit (CEU). Architects typically measure the same idea in Learning Units (LU).
Activities boards commonly accept
- Completing courses — online self-paced or live, like the ones in our catalog. Usually the simplest, most reliable hours.
- Attending webinars, seminars, and conferences — credited by contact hours of instruction.
- Teaching or presenting — often credited (frequently at a multiplier, once per unique offering), with caps.
- Authoring papers, articles, or books and obtaining patents — many boards award PDH, usually capped per cycle.
- College courses — one semester credit hour often equals a set number of PDH.
- Active participation on committees of technical or professional societies — capped.
What often does NOT count
Repeating the same course in one cycle, regular job duties, equipment/sales demonstrations, business/management topics unrelated to technical practice, and travel time are commonly excluded. Some states cap self-study hours or require a portion in ethics/laws-and-rules.
The golden rules
- Every activity must be relevant to your practice and to protecting public health, safety, and welfare.
- Keep documentation (certificates, agendas, proof of attendance) for the retention period your board requires.
- Meet any specific ethics or state-specific requirement — check the requirement calculator for your state.
This information is general guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with your state licensing board.
