May 2018

Work Processes

PIP ADG011
Requirements for Awarding
Professional Development Hours
 PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has been
prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major industrial users,
contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical requirements into a
single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering costs to both the purchaser
and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice is expected to incorporate the
majority of requirements of most users, individual applications may involve requirements that
will be appended to and take precedence over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness
for purpose and particular matters or application of the Practice to particular project or
engineering situations should not be made solely on information contained in these materials.
The use of trade names from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference
but rather recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications
are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines are
intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA requirements. To
the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or other applicable laws or
regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed. Consult an appropriate professional
before applying or acting on any material contained in or suggested by the Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time.

© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The University of Texas at
Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin, Texas 78759. PIP Member Companies and
Subscribers may copy this Practice for their internal use. Changes or modifications of any kind
are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written authorization of PIP.
Authorized Users may attach addenda or overlays to clearly indicate modifications or exceptions
to specific sections of PIP Practices. Authorized Users may provide their clients, suppliers and
contractors with copies of the Practice solely for Authorized Users’ purposes. These purposes
include but are not limited to the procurement process (e.g., as attachments to requests for
quotation/ purchase orders or requests for proposals/contracts) and preparation and issue of
design engineering deliverables for use on a specific project by Authorized User’s client. PIP’s
copyright notices must be clearly indicated and unequivocally incorporated in documents where
an Authorized User desires to provide any third party with copies of the Practice.

PUBLISHING HISTORY
May 2018 Issued

Not printed with State funds

 May 2018

Work Processes

PIP ADG011
Requirements for Awarding
Professional Development Hours
Table of Contents
1. Scope ............................................ 2
2. Definitions .................................... 2
3. Requirements ............................... 2
3.2 PIP Qualifying Activities ..................... 2
3.3 Non-Qualifying Activities .................... 2
3.4 PIP Activity Credits ............................ 2
3.5 Credit Criteria for Activities................. 3
3.6 Determination of Credit ...................... 3
3.7 Recordkeeping .................................. 3

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PIP ADG011
Requirements for Awarding Professional Development Hours May 2018

1. Scope
This Practice provides the minimum requirements and policies for issuing professional
development hours (PDH). The intent of this Practice is to provide PDHs for PIP Member
licensed engineers and contractors, participating in continuing education programs (CEP), to the
extent required by each state board. PIP does not issue continuing education units (CEU).

2. Definitions
Professional Development Hour (PDH): One contact hour of instruction, presentation or study.
PDH is the basic unit for CEP reporting.

Continuing Education Unit (CEU): Unit of credit customarily used for formal continuing
education courses. A CEU is the unit of measure for education class work associated with a CEP.

course/activity: Any qualifying course or activity with a clear purpose and objective which will
maintain, improve, or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to the license holder’s field of
practice

3. Requirements
3.1 Every professional engineering licensee shall obtain and track PDH/CEU units based on
the provisions of their respective state board of professional engineers.
3.2 PIP Qualifying Activities
3.2.1 Presenting or attending qualifying PIP sponsored seminars, conventions or
c onferences
3.2.2 Presenting or attending qualifying PIP sponsored courses or workshops
 Authoring PIP Practices, papers, articles, or accepted licensing examination items
3.2.4 Actively participating in PIP Function Teams or Task Teams in accordance with
Section 3.5.2
3.3 Non-Qualifying Activities
3.3.1 General PIP participation, except for the participation specified in accordance
with Section 3.5
3.3.2 Self-study of a PIP Practice
3.3.3 Participating in PIP meetings that are not relevant to engineering, land surveying,
or construction professions
3.4 PIP Activity Credits
3.4.1 One hour of professional development (i.e., 1 PDH) can be awarded for each
hour of attendance at PIP sponsored seminars, technical presentations,
conventions, or conferences in accordance with Section 3.5.1.
3.4.2 A maximum 10 PDHs can be awarded for authorship of a PIP Practice, paper, or
article in accordance with Section 3.5.2.

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PIP ADG011
Requirements for Awarding Professional Development Hours May 2018

Comment: It is recognized that often many more hours are spent in being an
author of a Practice; however, the PDH credit is established at a
fixed maximum of 10 PDH per annual contribution.
3.5 Credit Criteria for Activities
3.5.1 PIP Conferences and Workshop Presentations
Credit for qualifying PIP conferences and workshop presentations shall typically
be based on one PDH for each hour of attendance at a PIP-sponsored activity and
in accordance with the following as applicable:
a. Attending Annual Conference: 8 PDHs
b. Leading Annual Conference Workshop: 4 PDHs
c. Steering Team Meeting: None
3.5.2 PIP Practice, Paper, Article
3.5.2.1 Function Team members attending 67% or more of Function Team or
Task Team meetings each year shall be credited as “authors” of Practices
published by that Team receiving up to the maximum of 10 PDHs per
annual contribution.
3.5.2.2 A published technical PIP paper advancing the knowledge or
understanding of engineering principles and practices may qualify. For
example, a technical article in a professional or technical publication
would be considered a published technical paper.
3.6 Determination of Credit
3.6.1 The board of licensure, in each government jurisdiction, has final authority with
respect to approval of courses, credit, CEU/PDH value for courses, and other
methods of earning credit. Some boards of licensure require pre-approved courses
for PDH credit.
3.6.2 The professional engineering licensee shall be responsible for ensuring that the
PIP activities in which they participate are in accordance with the requirements of
the boards of licensure in the jurisdictions they are licensed.
3.7 Recordkeeping
3.7.1 Professional Engineering Licensee Responsibilities
3.7.1.1 The professional engineering licensee shall be responsible for keeping up
to date with the policies and requirements of the respective boards in the
jurisdictions they are licensed.
Comment: This Practice is not all encompassing since each state board
of licensure establishes its continuing education
requirements.
3.7.1.2 The licensee shall be responsible for maintaining records to be used to
support credits claimed.

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PIP ADG011
Requirements for Awarding Professional Development Hours May 2018

3.7.1.3 Records required may include, but are not limited to:
a. A log showing the type of activity claimed, sponsoring organization,
location, duration, instructors’ or speaker’s name, and CEU/PDH
credits earned.
b. Attendance verification records in the form of completion certificates
or other documents supporting evidence of attendance.
3.7.2 PIP Responsibilities
3.7.2.1 PIP shall provide a certificate of completion, stating PDH credits earned,
for any qualifying activity for the purposes of licensee recordkeeping.
3.7.2.2 The PIP Director and/or the PIP Associate Director shall sign the
certificate (or provide facsimile signature). See Appendix A for an
example of a PDH certificate.
3.7.2.3 PIP shall maintain attendance records for all qualifying activities for a
maximum period of five (5) calendar years.

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PIP ADG011
Requirements for Awarding Professional Development Hours May 2018

Appendix A: Sample PDH Certificate

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