Maintaining a Professional Engineering (PE) license in the United States requires ongoing professional development. State engineering boards mandate continuing education to ensure engineers stay competent and up to date with the latest industry developments. A key part of this requirement is earning Professional Development Hours (PDH), the standard metric used to track continuing education.

Today’s fast-paced work environment makes on-demand PE courses a highly convenient option for engineers looking to earn PDH credits. These self-paced courses provide the flexibility needed for busy professionals to stay compliant and informed, without interrupting work or personal obligations.

Understanding PDH and Continuing Education Requirements

A Professional Development Hour (PDH) is the standard unit of credit used by most U.S. state licensing boards to measure the continuing education required for licensed engineers. One PDH typically equals one contact hour of qualified instruction or presentation.

The PDH system exists to ensure that engineers continually grow in their skills and knowledge throughout their careers. This ongoing development is vital for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public—a core responsibility of every licensed engineer.

Most states require engineers to earn a set number of PDH credits within a specific renewal period.

Navigating State Requirements

Although the concept of PDH is largely standardized, each state has its own continuing education rules. Engineers can use the NCEES as a reliable resource to understand requirements for PE licensure and PDH credits.

However, it's important to remember that each state board sets its own rules. While NCEES provides helpful guidance, only state boards can enforce PDH requirements. Engineers should always visit their state licensing board’s website for the latest updates and compliance information.

To help navigate this complexity, PECourses.com offers tools and resources—such as state-specific filters and license renewal guides—making it easy to find courses that match local board requirements.

Read How to Fulfill your PDH requirements: A State-by-state Guide for Engineers for more information on PDH requirements by state.

What Are On-Demand PE Courses?

On-demand PE courses are a modern solution for continuing education, designed specifically for licensed engineers who need PDH credits for license renewal. Their main feature is flexibility: engineers can start, pause, and resume learning whenever and wherever they want. 

Course formats usually include 

• Video lectures by subject matter experts

• Interactive modules

• Downloadable materials like PDFs and e-books to support offline study 

• Quizzes and assessments

The broad range of course formats caters to different learning styles, making it easier to absorb and retain information. Plus, materials are available instantly after registration—especially useful for those with upcoming license renewal deadlines.

PECourses.com excels in this area by offering courses that are not only instantly accessible but also designed with working engineers in mind. Their intuitive platform ensures a smooth and engaging learning experience. 

Why Choose On-Demand Learning?

Choosing on-demand courses for PDH requirements offers many advantages. Most importantly, they offer unmatched flexibility and convenience. Engineers can study on their own schedule, at a pace that suits their workload and lifestyle. This eliminates the need to attend scheduled classes or travel to in-person seminars.

Self-paced learning allows engineers to spend more time on difficult topics and move faster through material they already know. This tailored approach can improve both understanding and retention. Additionally, on-demand courses are often more affordable than traditional classroom options. With no travel or lodging costs, continuing education becomes more accessible.

Online platforms also offer a wider selection of specialized courses than most local options. This enables engineers to explore niche areas in their field, helping them grow professionally and potentially opening doors to new opportunities. Self-paced learning also promotes strong time management and self-motivation skills, which are valuable in every aspect of an engineer's life.

PECourses.com stands out by offering competitively priced courses and packages that allow engineers to fulfill all or part of their PDH requirements efficiently. With a focus on quality and convenience, PECourses.com helps engineers make the most of their time and money.

Choosing the Right Provider

Before enrolling in a course, engineers should verify that the provider is credible and that the course will be accepted by their state board. Well-established providers often guarantee their courses are board-accepted. 

Reading reviews from other engineers can also offer insights into the course content and provider reputation.

The number of online course providers continues to grow, so due diligence is important. Providers that confidently offer a state-approval guarantee often show a strong understanding of the rules and deliver high-quality educational experiences.

Recommendations from PEcourses.com

Platforms like PEcourses.com offer a large catalog of on-demand options. PEcourses.com has individual courses, pre-set packages, and custom packages, allowing engineers to focus on specific interests. 

Recommended Courses

• Engineering Ethics: Case Studies in Bribery (1 PDH) – This course explores seven real-world cases of bribery within the engineering sector, highlighting ethical breaches and referencing specific violations of engineering Standards of Conduct.

• Roadside Geology (3 PDH) - Embark on a virtual geological journey exploring the fascinating landscapes visible from roadways.

• Civil Engineering: Overview of Practices and Essential Skills (3 PDH) - This comprehensive course delves into fundamental civil engineering principles and essential skills. 

Recommended Packages

• 15-Hour Package: Civil Engineering - This comprehensive package covers essential topics in civil engineering, including concrete and masonry fundamentals, culvert maintenance, and the use of recycled materials in pavements.

• Land Development & Stormwater Management Package - Tailored for engineers seeking to deepen their expertise in stormwater management, this package encompasses courses on urban stormwater systems, flood routing methods, stormwater wet pond and wetland management, and ethics.

• Power Generation Package - Designed for engineers aiming to expand their understanding of power generation, this package includes courses on advanced electrical theory, gas-insulated electrical substations, smart grid technology, engineering ethics and responsible charge, and switchgear equipment. 

Conclusion

On-demand PE courses offer licensed engineers a flexible, efficient way to meet continuing education needs and maintain licensure. By choosing reliable platforms like PECourses.com, checking state requirements, and tracking credits carefully, engineers can stay current in their field while balancing their professional and personal lives. As lifelong learning becomes more important in engineering, self-paced courses offer a powerful path to growth and success.

Start learning anytime, anywhere—and take control of your professional development today.