Visit the official California engineering board site
Renewal and PDH at a glance
| Renewal cycle | Biennial, on the licensee's assigned renewal date |
|---|---|
| PDH hours required | No PDH requirement for PE renewal |
| Ethics hours | Not applicable |
| State laws or rules hours | Not applicable |
| Carryover | Not applicable |
| Path to a PE license | ABET-accredited engineering degree, FE exam, about four years of qualifying experience under a PE, then the PE exam |
| Firm registration | Check with your board |
| Other notes | For licenses that expire and renew after June 30, 2026, a Renewal Assessment is required within 60 days of the expiration date. It covers state laws and Board rules and regulations; the text gives no hour requirement. |
What this means for firm owners in California
California PE licenses renew on this schedule: biennial, on the licensee's assigned renewal date. California has no PDH requirement for PE renewal, but staff who hold licenses in other states still need to meet those states' rules.
Track each PE’s renewal date and keep a record of professional development hours. For licenses expiring and renewing after June 30, 2026, the Board requires a Renewal Assessment within 60 days after expiration.
When hiring a PE licensed elsewhere, confirm California’s comity requirements with the Board. The Board site identifies an NCEES Record as part of the comity process. Confirm whether your firm needs registration and what requirements apply directly with the Board.
Owner checklist
- Track each California PE’s license expiration date and confirm the renewal cycle on the Board’s website.
- Confirm the applicable PDH, ethics, and carryover rules with the Board, then track staff records accordingly.
- For a license expiring and renewing after June 30, 2026, schedule the Renewal Assessment within 60 days after expiration.
- Before hiring an out-of-state PE, check the Board’s comity requirements and NCEES Record process. Confirm firm registration requirements with the Board.
Sources
- https://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/licensees/renewal_info.shtml
- https://www.pdhengineer.com/pe-continuing-education-requirements/
- https://ppi2pass.com/resources/pe-exam/pdh-requirements-by-state
