On April 17, the Board voted to modify continuing education requirements for licenses expiring on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 as follows:
- Regarding Rule 9.2.1 and 9.2.2, the required number of actual CE hours is 20 (in lieu of 30) for professional engineers and 16 (in lieu of 24) for architects. For architects, 8 of the hours must address the safeguarding of life, health, and property.
- Regarding Rule 9.3.1 (5), the limit on restricted online, non-live CE activities is raised to no more than one-half (in lieu of one-fourth).
- Regarding Rule 9.3.2, the minimum number of required ethics hours is unchanged at 1 hour.
- Regarding Rule 9.3.5, self-guided activities may constitute no more than five hours for architects or six hours for professional engineers.
- Regarding Rule 9.4.3, the maximum number of carryover hours is unchanged and remains at half the biennial requirement (15 for professional engineers and 12 for architects).
It is important to note that these modifications are temporary. The intent of the modifications are to address recent developments that may reduce the availability of in-person CE opportunities and restrict travel. In addition, the reduction of hours reflects the Board understanding that some licensees may be facing other hardships, unrelated to their practice, that may adversely impact their ability to gain CE hours.
The Board has also received numerous questions about what kind of courses are approved. Below are some key points to keep in mind when selecting a course for architectural and/or engineering CE hours.
- The continuing education activity must be related to the practice of architecture and/or engineering.
- The Board has final authority with respect to approval of courses and credits and does not pre-approve courses.
- The Board does not require that architectural-related courses be AIA-approved.
- Any web-based activity in which both the instructor and attendees have the ability to receive and discuss information in real time is not restricted. A licensee can accrue all their hours this way.
- Self-reported activities are separate and different from web-based activities. Self-reported CE learning is learning obtained during a self-directed educational activity. This activity may not have a sponsor or host; you did not receive a certificate for this educational time and you earned it under your own direction and guidance. Any licensee who wants to self-report should complete the self-reported form located on the Board’s website. A licensee can gain credit for these activities in accordance with Rule 9.3.5.
To learn more about the continuing education guidelines and restrictions, please visit Chapter 9 of the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act handbook at ea.nebraska.gov/ea-act. If you have any questions about the modifications to continuing education or requirements and restrictions, please contact the Board at nbea.office@nebraska.gov.