Action | Develop regulations for a mandatory continuing education requirement for architect, professional engineer, and land surveyor licenses. |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 5/2/2008 |
Like many here have stated, Continuing Education sounds good and is good, so long as it is voluntary and left to the discretion and judgement of the professional. Mandatory CE is going to be a compliance nightmare and an unjust tax on licensed professionals. The benefit of CE is indeterminate in terms of measurable improvement to public health, safety or welfare.
If the state of Virginia feels compelled to require CE, then the state must present factual proof that lack of CE is harming the public health, safety or welfare. For instance, the state should be able to prove higher rates of building failures in Virginia versus states with mandatory CE. If the state can provide proof that there is a statistically significant deficiency in certain practices of its licensed professionals, than by all means the state should take measures to ensure its licensees correct those specific practices. Overly vague and unguided CE only guarantees brisk business at "Lunch Seminars", where one can learn about the latest patterns and styles available in resilient flooring products.
Virginia should not institute compulsory CE simply because other states require it, or the AIA requires it, or Lorman lobbyists want it or NCARB wants it.
Remember what the purpose of professional regulation is. Public health, safety and welfare. Enriching the seminar and hotel industries is not its purpose.
No mandatory CE.