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South Dakota Board of Technical Professions

Professional Development Hours (PDH)

Requirements

Professional development hours for professional engineer, architect, land surveyor, landscape architect, or petroleum release assessor or remediator licensed by the South Dakota Board of Technical Professions are mandated in SDCL 36-18A-39 and Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) Chapter 20:38:35.

Continuing Education Requirements

Individual licensees shall obtain a minimum of 30 PDH during the biennium preceding license renewal. PDH credit must be obtained in a qualifying professional development activity, including courses or activities with clear purposes and objectives that maintain, improve, or expand the licensee's skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee's field of practice. Of the required 30 PDH, a minimum of 20 PDH must be in technical subjects that lead to further professional development in the licensee's field of practice. Technical subjects include design; environmental analysis; programming and planning; structural systems; lateral forces; mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and acoustical systems; construction methods; construction observation; site and soils analyses and design; accessibility; building codes; selection of building materials; and land survey. Of the required 30 PDH, a maximum of 10 PDH may be in professional management subjects such as total quality management, professional business practice, and ethics.

Alternative continuing professional development option for architects. As an alternative to the requirements of § 20:38:35:01, a licensed architect may meet the continued professional development requirement for renewal by obtaining 12 Continuing Education Hours (CEH) per calendar year. CEH shall be in health, safety, and welfare subjects acquired in structured educational activities. See § 20:38:35:02 for additional information.

Individual licensees should refer to the Blue Book, (covering South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 36-18A-39 and ARSD 20:38:35:01-10) for specific information regarding continuing professional development requirements for maintaining licensure.

Professional Development Hours (PDH) Submission Requirement

As part of the license renewal or reinstatement process with the South Dakota Board of Technical Professions (SDBTP), all licensees are required to submit documentation of their Professional Development Hours (PDH).

PDH Submission Guidelines:

• A minimum of 30 PDH must be earned during the two-year (biennial) period immediately preceding the renewal or reinstatement application.
Of the 30 PDH:


• At least 20 hours must be in technical subjects directly related to the licensee’s professional discipline.
• Up to 10 hours may be in professional management subjects, such as ethics, business practices, or quality management.
• PDH documentation must be submitted in a log format and saved as a PDF file.
• of completion should not be mailed to the Board. Physical submissions will not be accepted.
• Licensees must certify the accuracy of their PDH log under penalty of perjury.
• If selected for audit, supporting documentation must be submitted within 30 calendar days of notification.