Surveyors and Continuing Education

We all must have a certain amount of continuing education in order to renew our licenses to practice. Eash state may have differing regulations and amount of units required, but it seems that each state deliberately tries to make compliance as difficult as possible.

For instance, Indiana requires that all units be obtained by attending live conferences, with pre-approved classes taught by pre-approved instructors or institutions. This makes it very difficult to get credit unless the classes are taken in Indiana, or at least by an instructor who gives the same class as he gave in Indiana. Naturally, in case of an audit, the claimant must prove that the class was the same as the approved class.

Why must this be so? Many subjects which are important including ethics, field procedures, and business management are common to registrants in all states. Many State professional societies use these classes as a money generating program for their organization, where many of the programs are given at the annual convention. I would think that the society’s influence would affect any ruling by the state BOR.

After retirement, you are then forced to drive 1300 miles north to attend a convention in January, or attend a crash course where you get all 24 required credits in a 3 day period the last week of the renewal term. There has to be a better way. Your comments are welcome.