I have been a licensed professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia for 11 years.  Obtaining my license was the high point of my engineering career, especially since PEs are relatively uncommon in my field (chemical engineering).  However, I am also an active duty military officer (Coast Guard) and my employer neither funds nor provides professional engineering education.  Since the Coast Guard does not generally require its engineers to hold PE licenses, this situation is very unlikely to change.  Many of the courses approved for continuing engineering education in states such as New York and Texas are relatively expensive and could easily cost $1,100 - $1,500 per year.  This is especially true for chemical and mechanical engineers, where the course offerings are much less varied and more expensive than for the civils.  I do not believe that I could afford these costs on a military salary.   The Coast Guard does not allow its members to use Tuition Assistance funds for courses that provide CEUs or PDHs either.

A military career requires frequent moves, often to sites remote from universities or professional training centers.  While I am in Virginia currently, I expect to receive orders to another state in June.  I may be able to become active in the professional engineering society in my new state, but there is no guarantee of that.

Prior to coming on active duty, I worked as a chemical engineer for a major defense contractor in Northern Virginia.  That firm also did not fund or facilitate professional engineering training, since Federal Government contracts are tightly managed and this type of training is not considered an allowable charge or normal overhead.  I suspect that most Government contractor employees in Northern Virginia would report the same situation.

Given the large number of military, Federal, and Federal contractor engineers working and registered in Virginia, the Board should carefully consider all of its options and select a system that will minimize the out-of-pocket costs to registrants and afford them the maximum flexibility in time and location.