Arkansas PE CE (PDH) Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
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Requirements Overview
Under 17 CAR § 285-1003 (codified January 1, 2025), every professional engineer must report 30 PDH per biennial renewal period; licensees holding both PE and PS credentials report 40 PDH, with at least 10 in each profession. No mandatory subject areas apply to PEs — the 2-PDH Arkansas Standards of Practice requirement is limited to professional surveyors.
Excess hours carry forward up to 30 PDH into the next period. The board maintains no approved-provider list but retains final authority over credit; correspondence and other distance formats qualify with no stated cap. Licenses expire December 31 and renew biennially through the PELS portal, with even-numbered licenses renewing in even years and odd-numbered in odd years. Keep supporting records for three years for possible audit.
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- New Licensee — New licensees by way of examination or comity are exempt for their first renewal period.
- Hardship — Licensee experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances may be exempt as reviewed and approved by the Board.Supporting documentation must be furnished to the board
- Inactive — A licensee listed as 'inactive' on the board-approved renewal form, certifying they no longer receive any remuneration from providing professional engineering or surveying services, is exempt from the PDH required.
- Senior Professional Engineer — A professional engineer may be exempt if at least 65 years of age and has 25 years of acceptable professional experience.Request must be submitted on forms supplied by the board
- Senior Professional Surveyor — A professional surveyor (not a PE) may be exempt if at least 60 years of age and has 20 years of acceptable professional experience.Applies to professional surveyors, not professional engineersRequest must be submitted on forms supplied by the board
How You Can Complete Your CE
Arkansas CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Arkansas that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — A maximum of 30 excess PDH units may be carried forward into the subsequent (next) renewal period. (Dual PE+PS licensees may carry forward up to 40, no more than 30 in either profession.)
- PE licenses expire Dec 31 and renew biennially via the PELS portal (pelslicensing.arkansas.gov). Renewal window for COA/EI/PE: November 1 – June 30.
- Even-numbered licenses renew in even-numbered years; odd-numbered licenses renew in odd-numbered years.
- Records supporting claimed PDH credits must be maintained by the licensee for 3 years and may be requested by the Board for audit verification (17 CAR § 285-1006(c)).
- PDH unit conversions (17 CAR § 285-1004(b)): 1 semester hour = 45 PDH; 1 quarter hour = 30 PDH; 1 CEU = 10 PDH; 1 hour of coursework/seminar = 1 PDH; teaching = x2 (first time only); each published paper/article/book = up to 10 PDH; active society participation = 2 PDH per organization; each patent granted = up to 10 PDH.
- No mandatory subject-matter topics for Professional Engineers. The 2-PDH Arkansas Standards of Practice No. 1 requirement applies only to Professional Surveyors.
- The Board's rules were codified into the Code of Arkansas Rules effective January 1, 2025 (17 CAR § 285).
Provider Requirements
No pre-approval or approved-provider list. The Board has final authority to approve courses, credit, PDH value for courses, and other methods of earning credit; the licensee determines qualifying activities subject to board review/audit.
Tips for Arkansas PEs
- PEs have no mandatory ethics or subject hours; the 2-PDH Standards of Practice requirement applies only to surveyors.
- Carry-over is capped at 30 PDH (up to 40 for dual PE/PS licensees, no more than 30 in either profession).
- Dual PE and PS licensees must earn 40 PDH total, with at least 10 in each profession.
- New licensees are exempt for their first renewal, and PEs 65+ with 25 years of experience may request a senior exemption.
- Check whether your license number is even or odd — that determines your renewal year — and keep records for three years.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 2 sources cited — 2 primary (official board)
PE Requirements in Nearby States
Other Professions in Arkansas
All Professional Engineer CE Requirements by State
Open any other state's PE CE (PDH) requirements, or see the full Professional Engineer CE hub to compare every state in one table.