New Mexico PE CE (PDH) Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
New Mexico requires 30 PDH per biennial renewal for Professional Engineers, under NMAC 16.39.2 and the Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers & Professional Surveyors. At least 2 of those hours must be ethics or business-related, completed each period.
Up to 15 general PDH may be carried to the next biennium, but ethics hours are never carried over — any ethics hours earned beyond the required 2 simply count toward the general 30-hour total. The Board does not pre-approve courses or providers; each licensee decides whether an activity qualifies and keeps documentation. Online and distance courses are accepted with no numeric cap.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics / business-related | 2 | Every renewal | At least 2 of the 30 PDHs must be in ethics/business-related content each two-year reporting period. Ethics hours cannot be carried over; ethics hours in excess of 2 only count toward the general 30-PDH total. |
Exemptions
- New Licensees — Exempt from professional development requirements for the first 12 months directly following issuance of license number; PDHs prorated for any remaining portion beyond one year at 1.25 x remaining months.PDHs are only eligible from the date of initial license to the expiration date
- Active-Duty Military Service — A licensee called to active duty in the U.S. Armed forces for a period exceeding 120 consecutive days in a calendar year may be exempt from obtaining PDHs required during that year; documentation of exact dates and locations required.Would not apply to regular military career assignments
- Physical Disability — Licensees experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed and approved by the Board may be exempt; contact Board office for an Application for Medical Exemption.
- Retired Or Inactive Status — Licensees approved by the Board for Retired or Inactive Status are exempt from professional development requirements. Returning to active status requires submittal of PDHs for the preceding biennial cycle (per NMAC 16.39.1.17.A retired / 16.39.1.17.D inactive).A request to return to active status requires submittal of PDHs for the preceding biennial cycle
How You Can Complete Your CE
New Mexico CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to New Mexico that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — A maximum of 15 PDHs may be carried over to the next biennium. There is no carry-over of ethics hours; ethics hours in excess of the required 2 only count toward the general 30-PDH total.
- PDH reporting period is two years (biennial); example cycle in the 2026 guide is January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026.
- Renewal deadline is December 31st; a penalty (double the renewal fee) is assessed at 12:01 a.m. January 1st. After March 1st the license must be reinstated.
- PDHs may be earned in any jurisdiction and may include technical, ethical, or managerial content; courses taken only for personal use do not qualify.
- Dual PE/PS licensees submit a total of 30 PDHs (not separate totals for each license).
- As an alternative to New Mexico's requirement, licensees may satisfy renewal via the NCEES CPC Standard (15 PDHs each calendar year, at least 1 in ethics or business practice); NCEES CPC records are transmitted to [email protected].
- The Board conducts random PDH audits throughout the year; licensees must retain certificates of attendance (name, program name, dates, contact hours/CEUs, sponsor signature) but do not submit them with the renewal.
- Governing rule: New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) 16.39.2 Continuing Professional Development; record keeping per 16.39.2.8.G NMAC.
- Ineligible activities include personal self-improvement courses, regular employment, intra-firm task forces/committees, HR training (e.g., sexual harassment/new-employee training), service club activities, and tutoring/computer-lab assistance.
Provider Requirements
The Board does not pre-approve courses or providers for PDH credit; it is the licensee's responsibility to ensure activities meet the professional development requirements. The Board has final authority with respect to approval of activities and PDH value.
Tips for New Mexico PEs
- Complete at least 2 ethics or business-related PDH each renewal — these cannot be carried forward from a prior period.
- You may carry up to 15 general PDH into the next biennium, but excess ethics hours only count toward the general total, not as future ethics credit.
- The Board pre-approves no providers, so you self-determine whether a course meets PDH criteria and retain proof.
- Online and distance learning are accepted with no hour cap in New Mexico.
- New/military/disability/retired-inactive licensees have exemptions — check the Board's 2026 PDH Guide if any apply to you.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers & Professional Surveyors'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.