Maryland PE CE (PDH) Requirements (2026): 16 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
Of the 16 PDH required each biennial term, at least 1 PDH must cover ethics content — awareness of ethical concerns in engineering practice, familiarity with the code of conduct for professional engineers, understanding of standards of practice or care, or laws and regulations applicable to the practice of engineering in Maryland. This ethics hour counts toward the 16-PDH total and does not apply for the first renewal after initial licensure.
A maximum of 8 PDH earned in excess of the 16 required may be carried forward to the subsequent licensing term. The board references the NCEES Free CPC Record-Tracking Service for logging hours but does not publish an approved-provider list on its requirements page. Detailed rules are codified in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional engineering ethics | 1 | Every renewal | Minimum of 1 PDH per 2-year term on ethics content: awareness of ethical concerns/conflicts in engineering practice, familiarity with the code of conduct for professional engineers, understanding of standards of practice or care, or laws and regulations applicable to the practice of engineering in Maryland. |
First Renewal vs. Standard Renewal
Exemptions
- First Renewal — CPC requirements do not apply for the first renewal after receiving your initial license.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Maryland CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Maryland that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — A maximum of 8 PDH earned in excess of the 16 PDH required per 2-year term may be carried forward as credit toward the subsequent licensing term.
- PDH = Professional Development Hours. 16 PDH required per 2-year renewal term.
- Minimum 1 PDH per term must be ethics-related content.
- Up to 8 PDH may be carried forward to the next licensing term.
- CPC requirements do not apply for the first renewal after initial licensure.
- Detailed rules are codified in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
- The board references the NCEES Free CPC Record-Tracking Service for record-keeping.
- Common third-party sources incorrectly report Maryland as a no-CE state for PE; the official Maryland Board page requires 16 PDH per 2-year term.
Provider Requirements
Not specified on the official page. The board references the NCEES Free CPC Record-Tracking Service for tracking PDH but does not designate approved providers on this page.
Tips for Maryland PEs
- Don't trust third-party summaries claiming Maryland has no PE CE; the board requires 16 PDH per 2-year term.
- Confirm whether you are in your first renewal after initial licensure, which is exempt from the CPC requirement.
- Reserve at least 1 PDH each term for qualifying ethics content, including Maryland engineering laws and regulations.
- Earn extra hours in a strong term to bank up to 8 PDH toward the next licensing period.
- Log your hours with the NCEES Free CPC Record-Tracking Service the board references for record-keeping.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Maryland Board for Professional Engineers, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor's official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Jul 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.