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Pofessional Engineer PDH
2

Pofessional Engineer PDH

Pofessional Engineer PDH

(OP)
looking for an economical and no-hassle way to fulfill the PDH requirements for my PE....based on your experience, who are the best oufits out there offering courses to meet this requirement....thanks

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

I personally have used Zweigwhite's continuing education series. A lot of the courses are little more than advertising for the firm/products,etc being pitched in the article. But I was able to do a good number of courses in a short amount of time at no cost to meet my requirements for the 2011 cycle.

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

I use RedVector, ASCE and AISC mostly. I go to live ones when I can.

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

I got myself in a bind by putting it off for so long. I use pdh.org. It is not free, about $15.00 an hour, but I can take them while my daughter is at practice, using her schools wifi.

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

Most PDH requirements can be met by regularly attending monthly engineering association dinner meetings at which a technical presentation is made. You get an hour PDH and a dinner at a reasonable dinner price.
Try attending meetings for ASCE, ASHE, ADSC, DFI, etc.

www.PeirceEngineering.com

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

Similarly, I have used all those noted above.

My goal is - Free or little cost.

Here are some other sources - CONTECH Engineered Solutions; Bentley; DiscountPDH.COM; RON BLANK & Associates, Inc.; greence.com; pdhengineer.com; online-pdh.com/engcourses.

And I don't really care if it really applies to my structural work; who knows when I may need to know about "The Use of Geogrids in Railroad Applications"? It still counts!

gjc

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

In the past, I've taken continuing education courses in AutoCAD and Visual Basic at the local community college. Check your state rules carefully, stuff like that is allowed in some states, not in others.

The best technical stuff I've seen was put on by ASCE or ASME (the ACSE 7 Wind Design was excellent, I thought). Occasionally, I'll run across seminars in my field of work that are actually useful in addition to filling the time.

I've done one or two Red Vector courses that took about half the time they were supposed to, which is not a good situation.

I've taken ethics classes through the Texas Tech program and also the NM SPE had some video courses.

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

There's always something new and interesting to learn in structural engineering. I just keep an eye out for the ASCE, ACI and AISC seminars and look for one that sounds interesting to me. Granted, that's not much help if you are in a time crunch. But, many of those same courses are available as webinars at a reduced cost.

There are software companies that teach classes as well. I know we (RISA) have a 3 day (24 PDH's) training class that we teach a few times a year. I really prefer when folks come because they want to really learn the material rather than just get some PDH's. But, every now and then we get some folks who are just desperate for their PDH's.

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

Bentley and CSC have several free webinars that have PDH's.

JWB

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

http://www.pdhcenter.com/ is pretty good. I think they are pre-approved in several states’ that require it. They even have some live seminars.

Just be sure what your state's requirements are: some are more stringent than others. In one state I'm registered in (for example) X number of hours at every renewal have to be from a(n) approved provider who is a live instructor....that I had to leave the premises where I work to go see. It just varies.....for me, one or two states control my pdh effort: I satisfy them and the others fall into place.

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

I use mostly courses offered at trade shows. you can get 5-9 PDH's and see what is new in the field. then a few free web based courses.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

Free will never happen for all the PDH's. then you get what you pay for.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

I also think that spending 2-3 hours per week reading posts in this forum should count for 2-3 PDH's per year. You learn more here because of the quality of the posting members.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

"Those that can - do; those that can't teach."

These requirements have opened up revenue streams for all kinds of entities "selling" PDH's. I've always tried to keep my skills sharp. Now I have to document this for several "Big Brother's". Instead of protecting/defending it's members, organizations such as ASCE, have jumped on board to make additional income. Just being an ASCE member should provide credit for half of the continuing education requirements.

gjc

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

(OP)
thanks for your response and info....should have enough info now to dodge this bullit...

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

Simpson has free anchorage seminars with a free breakfast. Four PDH's and bacon and eggs. Can't beat that!
AWC (American Wood Council) used to have free one day seminars/trade shows where you could get a chunk of PDH's. But I don't see any on their calendars. Once again, you even got a free lunch.

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

Also, you want to check into your Licensure PDH policies of the states you are registered. In my home state, the PDH is determined by the Engineer based on whether they believe they learned something that applies to their profession. Occasionally, i have filled my coffers with free AIA certs occasionally in a pinch, which are more plentiful on the web. Some places i go are the brick industry www.bia.org and associated general contractors www.agc.org. Both of which you have to be member of to access the free online courses. But, the membership is free, so there you go. you get certs that say 1 hour AIA/CES, instead of 1 pdh, but there is no difference in the quality of the online courses..... And for what i do these are very applicable to my profession.... Mr. Auditor.

RE: Pofessional Engineer PDH

Some other ideas:
CE News http://www.cenews.com/ has an insert that if you read and take an on line quiz, gets you a PDH.
My company is big enough to have pretty frequent "Brown Bags" (aka Lunch and Learns) that I use all the time for PDH's. If they're technical, I count them.
I've been audited twice and passed with flying colors. I don't think the Boards want to fail anyone who shows they take it seriously.

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