WASHINGTON PE LICENSE RENEWAL &
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY STUDY
GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM
REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
This practice examination is designed for Washington State licensed professional
engineers seeking to understand the legal and regulatory requirements for license
renewal and continuing professional competency (CPC) under RCW 18.43 and WAC
196-25 through 196-33, as administered by the Washington State Board of
Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. It covers the biennial
renewal cycle, professional development hour (PDH) requirements, qualifying and
non-qualifying activities, documentation and recordkeeping, audit procedures,
exemptions and waivers, reinstatement after expiration, and the consequences of
non-compliance. Each question is crafted to mirror the complexity of board-level
knowledge necessary for maintaining an active license, with detailed rationales
that clarify the correct answer and explain the deficiencies of the alternatives.
Updated for the 2026–2027 renewal cycle, this resource provides verified solutions
to help you fulfill your continuing education obligations and successfully navigate
the renewal process.
Table of Contents
I. Renewal Cycle and Deadlines
II. Continuing Professional Competency Requirements (PDH)
III. Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Activities
IV. Documentation and Recordkeeping
V. Audits and Compliance
VI. Exemptions, Waivers, and Extensions
VII. Reinstatement After Expiration
VIII. Ethics and Professional Conduct in CPC
IX. Consequences of Non-Compliance
, 1. According to WAC 196-25-050, a professional engineer’s license in
Washington must be renewed on what schedule?
A) Annually, on the licensee’s birthday
B) Every two years, on a date assigned by the Board
C) Every three years, on January 1
D) Every five years, on the anniversary of initial licensure
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-25-050 establishes a biennial renewal cycle, with each licensee assigned
a specific renewal date by the Board. It is not based on the licensee’s birthday, a
fixed calendar date, or the initial licensure anniversary. Licenses expire every two
years and must be renewed prior to the expiration date to remain active.
Therefore, B correctly describes the renewal schedule.
2. How many professional development hours (PDH) must a Washington
professional engineer complete during each two-year renewal period?
A) 15 PDH
B) 24 PDH
C) 30 PDH
D) 36 PDH
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-26-030 mandates that each licensed professional engineer complete 30
PDH during each biennial renewal period. This requirement ensures that licensees
maintain and enhance their professional competence. Options A, B, and D reflect
incorrect amounts, with 15 PDH often cited for other professions, 24 PDH being
insufficient, and 36 PDH exceeding the requirement. Thus, C is correct.
3. Of the 30 PDH required biennially, how many must be specifically in
professional ethics and Washington state laws and rules?
A) None; the engineer may choose any topics
B) At least 1 PDH in professional ethics and 1 PDH in state laws and rules
, C) At least 2 PDH in each
D) All 30 PDH must be in ethics and state laws
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-26-030(2) requires a minimum of 1 PDH in professional ethics and 1 PDH
in applicable state laws and rules (i.e., the engineering practice act and Board
regulations). The remaining 28 PDH may be in other technical or professional
topics. Options A, C, and D do not reflect the specific regulatory minimums. Thus, B
is correct.
4. Which of the following activities qualifies for continuing professional
development credit under WAC 196-26?
A) Attending a technical seminar directly related to the engineer’s area of
practice
B) Participating in a recreational sports league
C) Reading a novel during personal time
D) Watching a documentary unrelated to engineering
Correct Answer: A
WAC 196-26-040(1) lists qualifying activities, including attendance at technical
seminars, courses, conferences, and workshops that maintain or improve
professional competence. The activity must be relevant to the engineer’s field.
Recreational activities (B), general reading (C), and unrelated entertainment (D) do
not meet the criteria. Therefore, A is correct.
5. What is the maximum number of PDH that may be carried forward from
one renewal period to the next?
A) 0 PDH; all must be used in the current period
B) 5 PDH
C) 15 PDH
D) 30 PDH
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-26-030(3) permits a licensee to carry forward up to 15 PDH earned in
excess of the 30 required during a renewal period to the next biennial period. This
, encourages ongoing learning while limiting the accumulation of excess hours.
Options A, B, and D are not consistent with the carryover provision. Thus, C is
correct.
6. A professional engineer teaches a qualifying engineering course for the first
time at an accredited university. How many PDH may be claimed for this
activity?
A) The actual contact hours multiplied by a factor of 2 for preparation
B) Only the contact hours in the classroom
C) Twice the contact hours, up to a limit set by the Board
D) Teaching does not qualify for PDH
Correct Answer: A
WAC 196-26-040(2) allows instructors to claim PDH for teaching a course for the
first time, with actual contact hours plus reasonable preparation time, typically up
to double the classroom hours. Subsequent offerings of the same course are not
eligible for full credit. Option B undercounts, C is close but the factor is not fixed at
2 for all cases, D is incorrect. Thus, A is the most accurate description.
7. According to WAC 196-26-060, how long must a professional engineer
retain records of completed continuing professional development activities?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 6 years
D) 10 years
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-26-060 requires licensees to maintain CPD records for a minimum of six
years from the date of the activity. This retention period allows the Board to
conduct audits of past renewal cycles. Options A, B, and D do not meet the
regulatory requirement. Therefore, C is correct.
8. The Board may audit a licensee’s CPD records. What percentage of licensees
are typically audited each renewal cycle?
A) Every licensee is audited annually
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY STUDY
GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM
REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
This practice examination is designed for Washington State licensed professional
engineers seeking to understand the legal and regulatory requirements for license
renewal and continuing professional competency (CPC) under RCW 18.43 and WAC
196-25 through 196-33, as administered by the Washington State Board of
Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. It covers the biennial
renewal cycle, professional development hour (PDH) requirements, qualifying and
non-qualifying activities, documentation and recordkeeping, audit procedures,
exemptions and waivers, reinstatement after expiration, and the consequences of
non-compliance. Each question is crafted to mirror the complexity of board-level
knowledge necessary for maintaining an active license, with detailed rationales
that clarify the correct answer and explain the deficiencies of the alternatives.
Updated for the 2026–2027 renewal cycle, this resource provides verified solutions
to help you fulfill your continuing education obligations and successfully navigate
the renewal process.
Table of Contents
I. Renewal Cycle and Deadlines
II. Continuing Professional Competency Requirements (PDH)
III. Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Activities
IV. Documentation and Recordkeeping
V. Audits and Compliance
VI. Exemptions, Waivers, and Extensions
VII. Reinstatement After Expiration
VIII. Ethics and Professional Conduct in CPC
IX. Consequences of Non-Compliance
, 1. According to WAC 196-25-050, a professional engineer’s license in
Washington must be renewed on what schedule?
A) Annually, on the licensee’s birthday
B) Every two years, on a date assigned by the Board
C) Every three years, on January 1
D) Every five years, on the anniversary of initial licensure
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-25-050 establishes a biennial renewal cycle, with each licensee assigned
a specific renewal date by the Board. It is not based on the licensee’s birthday, a
fixed calendar date, or the initial licensure anniversary. Licenses expire every two
years and must be renewed prior to the expiration date to remain active.
Therefore, B correctly describes the renewal schedule.
2. How many professional development hours (PDH) must a Washington
professional engineer complete during each two-year renewal period?
A) 15 PDH
B) 24 PDH
C) 30 PDH
D) 36 PDH
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-26-030 mandates that each licensed professional engineer complete 30
PDH during each biennial renewal period. This requirement ensures that licensees
maintain and enhance their professional competence. Options A, B, and D reflect
incorrect amounts, with 15 PDH often cited for other professions, 24 PDH being
insufficient, and 36 PDH exceeding the requirement. Thus, C is correct.
3. Of the 30 PDH required biennially, how many must be specifically in
professional ethics and Washington state laws and rules?
A) None; the engineer may choose any topics
B) At least 1 PDH in professional ethics and 1 PDH in state laws and rules
, C) At least 2 PDH in each
D) All 30 PDH must be in ethics and state laws
Correct Answer: B
WAC 196-26-030(2) requires a minimum of 1 PDH in professional ethics and 1 PDH
in applicable state laws and rules (i.e., the engineering practice act and Board
regulations). The remaining 28 PDH may be in other technical or professional
topics. Options A, C, and D do not reflect the specific regulatory minimums. Thus, B
is correct.
4. Which of the following activities qualifies for continuing professional
development credit under WAC 196-26?
A) Attending a technical seminar directly related to the engineer’s area of
practice
B) Participating in a recreational sports league
C) Reading a novel during personal time
D) Watching a documentary unrelated to engineering
Correct Answer: A
WAC 196-26-040(1) lists qualifying activities, including attendance at technical
seminars, courses, conferences, and workshops that maintain or improve
professional competence. The activity must be relevant to the engineer’s field.
Recreational activities (B), general reading (C), and unrelated entertainment (D) do
not meet the criteria. Therefore, A is correct.
5. What is the maximum number of PDH that may be carried forward from
one renewal period to the next?
A) 0 PDH; all must be used in the current period
B) 5 PDH
C) 15 PDH
D) 30 PDH
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-26-030(3) permits a licensee to carry forward up to 15 PDH earned in
excess of the 30 required during a renewal period to the next biennial period. This
, encourages ongoing learning while limiting the accumulation of excess hours.
Options A, B, and D are not consistent with the carryover provision. Thus, C is
correct.
6. A professional engineer teaches a qualifying engineering course for the first
time at an accredited university. How many PDH may be claimed for this
activity?
A) The actual contact hours multiplied by a factor of 2 for preparation
B) Only the contact hours in the classroom
C) Twice the contact hours, up to a limit set by the Board
D) Teaching does not qualify for PDH
Correct Answer: A
WAC 196-26-040(2) allows instructors to claim PDH for teaching a course for the
first time, with actual contact hours plus reasonable preparation time, typically up
to double the classroom hours. Subsequent offerings of the same course are not
eligible for full credit. Option B undercounts, C is close but the factor is not fixed at
2 for all cases, D is incorrect. Thus, A is the most accurate description.
7. According to WAC 196-26-060, how long must a professional engineer
retain records of completed continuing professional development activities?
A) 1 year
B) 3 years
C) 6 years
D) 10 years
Correct Answer: C
WAC 196-26-060 requires licensees to maintain CPD records for a minimum of six
years from the date of the activity. This retention period allows the Board to
conduct audits of past renewal cycles. Options A, B, and D do not meet the
regulatory requirement. Therefore, C is correct.
8. The Board may audit a licensee’s CPD records. What percentage of licensees
are typically audited each renewal cycle?
A) Every licensee is audited annually
