As we begin the new year, it always feels like a bit of a relief to have made it through the busy holiday season. And, for many of us, the end of the year is time for PE license renewal.

Just for the sake of discussion, let’s say that you were so wrapped up in the holidays, family, and 2020 in general, that you actually missed your PE license renewal. What now?

You’re not alone

Each year, a large number of engineers fail to renew their licenses. It’s not the end of the world, but it can certainly put a hold on your career while you get it sorted out. All states have a process for late renewals, and the first order of business is to find out what that is for your state.

A quick visit to the engineering board website for your state is the first step. If you’ve met all other requirements, such as having already earned the proper number of PDH credits, simply filing the renewal application with the proper payment – including that inevitable late fee – will be enough to get you back in business in most instances. The actual date your renewal becomes effective may vary by state. It is suggested that you ask your board for advice regarding the resumption of your practice to avoid charges of practicing without a license.

If you have not yet met the continuing education requirement for the renewal period, you will most likely need to meet those requirements before the state will reinstate your license. While it probably does not need to be stated, remember that you do not, under any circumstances, want to certify that you have completed continuing education if it has not been done. Penalties for such action vary by state, but it is a serious offense in each one that can result in fines, discipline, and/or suspension or revocation of licenses.

In all cases, engineers are urged to seek assistance from the board rather than attempting to hide the error. States require self-reporting of violations of their laws and rules. An honest error will not be the end of your career; however, making false statements, flagrant, or repeated violations could. There is a case in California in which an engineer missed the license renewal deadlines for 10 consecutive years, some by days, but most by months. This engineer was barred from practice in the state and faces a fee of $15,000 if he ever requests reinstatement.

2020’s effect on licensing

The COVID-19 virus has complicated license renewals in some states and has caused some states to vary their PDH requirements. These changes are ongoing, so check with your board if you were affected by the COVID-19 virus. There may be relief for late renewal or missing PDH deadlines.

Create a “tickler” system

Your goal should be to never miss a renewal. Great organization is the key to meeting deadlines – and your license renewal deadline is no exception. We suggest that you create a “tickler” system to keep you from missing your deadlines.

A tickler is simply a series of reminders set up on a calendar designed to keep you focused on upcoming deadlines. With online calendars, smartphones, and other technology, it’s easy to set up an event, such as a license renewal deadline, and then to set reminders at regular intervals before the deadline is reached. For example, if your renewal is December 31, you might set reminders at September 30 for a 90-day reminder; October 31 for a 60-day reminder; and November 30 for a 30-day reminder. Depending on your organizational skills, you may wish to set a combination of reminders in the last 30 days, such as 15 days, 7 days, and 2 days.

These tickler notices will be an annoyance, and that’s exactly their purpose – to tickle you into action. Once you complete the task, all future reminders can be easily removed from the calendar. If you’re using Google Calendar, you can even request emailed reminders as well.
One last thing

Once you meet the renewal deadline, don’t forget to set your tickler notices for your next renewal. Whether it’s one, two, or three years away, it’s easy to forget.

Do you have any comments on this interesting subject? Add them in the comments section below.