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Pennsylvania PE License Renewal: CE hours, deadlines, and portal.

Pennsylvania Professional Engineer (PE) licenses renew every two years (biennial). Pennsylvania requires 24 PDH per 2-year cycle (about 12 per year). Up to 12 excess PDH may carry over to the next cycle. The approximate renewal fee is $100 per cycle. Online renewal is available through the state board portal. Renew by September 30 of odd-numbered years.

Renewal deadline:September 30 of odd-numbered years
Renewal cycle
Biennial
PDH required
24 per cycle
Ethics required
Not required
Approximate fee
$100

Pennsylvania engineering compliance at a glance

Everything it takes to legally practice engineering in Pennsylvania: your individual PE license, your firm's Certificate of Authorization, and the Secretary-of-State / tax filings that keep the entity in good standing. Costs and cadence are estimates, confirm on the official portals before relying on them.

RequirementApplies toCostRenewsWhat you do
PE license (individual)Always required to practice~$100BiennialEarn 24 PDH, then renew on the board portal · open
Secretary of State annual reportIf the firm is a registered entity$7AnnualFile with the Secretary of State · open

CE / PDH requirements in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires 24 PDH per 2-year renewal cycle (about 12 hours per year).

Pennsylvania allows up to 12 excess PDH to carry over to the next renewal cycle.

How to renew your Pennsylvania PE license

  1. 1
    Confirm your renewal date

    Renew by September 30 of odd-numbered years.

  2. 2
    Verify your PDH balance

    Confirm you have at least 24 PDH for this cycle. Save certificates as PDFs in case the board audits you.

  3. 3
    Pay the renewal fee

    About $100. Pennsylvania accepts online renewal through the board portal.

  4. 4
    Save your new pocket card

    Once renewed, save your updated wall certificate or pocket card. If your firm needs a copy for project files, send it the same day.

What trips people up

Pennsylvania renewal gotchas

Field notes from mapping the Pennsylvania renewal flow. Specifics change, so confirm anything time-sensitive on the board portal before you rely on it.

  • Board recommends using desktop/laptop with Internet Explorer — legacy system concerns
  • Renewal notices sent 2-3 months before expiration via email
  • No preapproval for CE activities — licensee responsible for ensuring activities qualify
  • Must retain CE records for 5 years minimum
  • All PE licenses in the state renew on the same date (Sep 30 of odd years)
Practicing through a firm in Pennsylvania?

Many states require firms to hold a separate Certificate of Authorization (CoA) to offer engineering services, on its own cycle and fee. PE License Pro tracks individual PE licenses, firm CoAs, and entity filings side by side.

Need a new Pennsylvania PE license? Open the Pennsylvania application page

Pennsylvania PE renewal FAQ

How often does a Pennsylvania PE license need to be renewed?+

Pennsylvania PE licenses are renewed every two years (biennial). Renew by September 30 of odd-numbered years.

When is the deadline to renew a Pennsylvania PE license?+

Pennsylvania PE license renewal deadline: September 30 of odd-numbered years. Dates and cycles can change, so confirm the exact date on the Pennsylvania board portal and renew before it. A missed deadline usually means a late fee, and in some states the license lapses and has to be reinstated.

How many PDH hours does Pennsylvania require for PE renewal?+

Pennsylvania requires 24 PDH per 2-year cycle.

How much does it cost to renew a Pennsylvania PE license?+

The approximate renewal fee is $100 per cycle. Fees can change; confirm the current amount on the Pennsylvania board portal.

Where do I renew my Pennsylvania PE license?+

Pennsylvania renewals are handled by the state's licensing board. The current portal is at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/engineers-land-surveyors-geologists.

Does Pennsylvania allow PDH carryover?+

Yes. Pennsylvania allows up to 12 excess PDH to carry over to the next renewal cycle.

Stop tracking Pennsylvania renewals in your head.

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