One of the enduring truths about the engineering discipline is that you are never quite done with a product or system design. Despite a focus on precision, there is always room for change, upgrade, and improvement in the quest for engineering elegance. This situation is even more relentless in the electrical engineering world, where the speed of new technological development can be both a nagging reality and an exciting opportunity.

This search for constant improvement is one factor that partly drives the desire for continuing education for electrical engineers. Another is a real need, depending on the state where you live, to obtain a professional engineering (PE) license through additional study and testing. You can find information about the PE license and requirements to obtain it in our article on this website at: www.onlinecomponents.com/en/blogpost/a-professional-engineering-license-should-you-get-one-558/

But whether it is your own private desire to learn more, or your need to prove to people or employers that you have indeed learned more, you may want to explore some of the options available to you for continuing your education in electrical engineering. Remember that the operating word here is “continuous”, which translates to a lifetime of learning.  

Which Way to Go

We should probably cover several roads you may want to travel in this education process. First, if you do not have an engineering degree, and you would just like to explore more about the world of electronics, you can find plenty of related content on the internet, especially from people like our friends over at Circuit Bread. They have tons of articles, design guides, Q&A’s and other resources to help you learn more. You can access it all at www.circuitbread.com. 

Some other sites with related content include Sparkfun, Electrical 4U, and uDemy. Remember, however, that these resources do not necessarily provide completion certificates or other credentials for your use. They do, however, provide good foundational knowledge and a means to casually gather the technical knowledge you want without the stress of assignments or deadlines.  

Beyond the Basics

If you already have a basic EE degree, however, and you are looking to stay fresh and work towards your PE license, there are also plenty of good options. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has numerous continuing education courses and user guides available on its IEEE Learning Network and IEEE eLearning Library. You can receive discounts on these materials if you are a member of the IEEE. The IEEE also offers Continuing Education Units (CEU) and Professional Development Hours (PDH) upon completion of these courses which you can use towards PE licensing.  

The term CEU is used generally across many industries, while PDH is more specific to the engineering and technical fields. One CEU is equivalent to ten hours of relevant instruction. One PDH is equivalent to one hour of relevant instruction. Earning CEUs and PDHs is necessary for both obtaining and renewing a PE license, and the amount of credits you need is dependent on the requirements of your state. 

Additional online technical course options are available from sources such as: PDH Direct.com, Redvector.com, Suncam.com, 360Training.com, and Coursera.org. Many of these resources, and others, may also provide the option for you to earn CEUs and PDHs.

Continuing Education Requirements Vary

Remember that while there are some general requirements nationwide, individual states set their own continuing education requirements for maintaining a PE license, including the amount of CEUs and PDHs you may need to acquire per year. It is wise to check the website of the engineering license renewal board for your state to learn about requirements, appropriate courses, and approved providers. 

Also, remember that the continuing education courses you select must generally be related to your degree or be technical in nature in order to expand your engineering knowledge and skills. Again, the requirements may differ from state to state. 

Other sources for continuing education credits for EE’s also include many colleges and universities, particularly those with established engineering departments. Some obvious schools include MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Purdue, and Cornell, but many others both in the U.S. and abroad offer programs or courses for continuing technical education. Check the websites for the engineering schools of your choice to learn about their offerings, prerequisites, costs, or other details.

Alternate CEU/PDH Credit Sources 

CEU and PDH credits can also be earned from sources and activities outside of traditional course learning. These may be offered by engineering societies, approved content providers, or technical associations. Some of these other sources and activities include:

• Attending applicable engineering conferences
• Presenting a technical workshop at an engineering conference or convention
• Completing engineering seminars
• Serving as an officer in a related engineering society
• Active participation in a related engineering society
• Authoring a technical paper or article on a related subject in an industry journal
• Publishing a book related to your engineering field
• Obtaining a US patent

We should note here that you are responsible for keeping track of the CEUs or PDHs you earn via your continuing education activities, and for knowing and meeting any specific requirements established by your state board.

It is also important to add that, while we have focused somewhat on the sources of continuing technical education related to the PE license, there is also significant value in obtaining additional knowledge for the sheer joy of learning something new, stretching your imagination, and challenging yourself to improve. As a wise person once said: “The whole purpose of knowledge is to turn mirrors into windows.”

Summary

Continuing education, especially in a discipline such as electrical engineering, is critical for keeping abreast of advancements in technology and versed in the latest industry standards and procedures. People who hold EE’s are required by many states to earn continuing education units or professional development hours to both obtain their PE license and to renew it. Many options exist both in person and online to continue one’s technical education for both personal and professional reasons. Taking advantage of the variety of options open to you for advancing technical knowledge can be a rewarding way to progress in your career.