Washington PE license renewal and CE requirements
Quick answer
- Next deadline: no single statewide date; each license has its own, on the board’s license lookup.
- Cycle: Individual licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday; firm certificates of authorization renew annually.
- CE: No PDH hours are required to renew a PE license. Checked against RCW 18.43.080(2); WAC Title 196 (no PE CE chapter), September 27, 2026
- Firm: Firms need a firm registration (COA).
- Renew with: Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Fees: see the board’s renewal page.
Renewal cycle and late renewal
Individual licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday; firm certificates of authorization renew annually. Not yet confirmed
Look up each engineer’s current expiration date on the board’s license lookup rather than trusting an old spreadsheet. Our tables don’t record Washington’s late-renewal or reinstatement rules, so check them with the board before a date passes.
Continuing education (PDH)
- Hours: No PDH hours are required to renew a PE license. Checked against RCW 18.43.080(2); WAC Title 196 (no PE CE chapter), September 27, 2026
- New licensees: Not applicable: Washington has no PE CE requirement at any renewal. Checked against RCW 18.43.080(2), September 27, 2026
- Reporting: No CE reporting or CE audit for PEs. The statute makes CE a renewal condition only for professional land surveyors (RCW 18.43.080(2)); the board page says PDH logs are kept by PLS and on-site wastewater designers only. Checked against RCW 18.43.080(2); BRPELS Renewals page, September 27, 2026
- Records: Not applicable for PEs (no CE requirement). Checked against RCW 18.43.080(2), September 27, 2026
Firm rule
A firm offering engineering in Washington needs its own credential from the board: certificate of authorization (COA). Corporations and LLCs need a certificate of authorization (RCW 18.43.130(6), (8)); partnerships only need to employ a registrant, professional service corporations and PLLCs are exempt, and sole proprietors do not apply. The firm designates by board or manager resolution a Washington-licensed PE with full authority over final engineering decisions, who may not be designated for another corporation or LLC; a change must be reported within 30 days.
See the Washington guide’s firm section for qualifier and A/E rules, and what to do when your qualifying engineer gives notice.
What changed recently
Nothing recorded in our tables as of September 29, 2026. Boards change rules, so check the board’s news page before each renewal.
Washington PE renewal questions
When do Washington PE licenses renew?
Individual licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday; firm certificates of authorization renew annually. Check each engineer’s own date on the board’s license lookup.
How many PDH does a Washington PE need?
No PDH hours are required to renew a PE license.
Does an engineering firm need a COA in Washington?
Yes. A firm offering engineering in Washington needs its own credential from the board: certificate of authorization (COA). Corporations and LLCs need a certificate of authorization (RCW 18.43.130(6), (8)); partnerships only need to employ a registrant, professional service corporations and PLLCs are exempt, and sole proprietors do not apply. The firm designates by board or manager resolution a Washington-licensed PE with full authority over final engineering decisions, who may not be designated for another corporation or LLC; a change must be reported within 30 days.
Does SealBench renew licenses or report PDH to the Washington board?
No. SealBench tracks each engineer’s dates and PDH against this state’s rule and shows what’s due next. The engineer renews and certifies CE with the board.
Track Washington PE renewals and CE for your whole team in SealBench
Every engineer’s Washington license and PDH, counted against this rule, next to every other state they hold and your firm’s COAs. One license is free; firms pay $12 a month for each licensed person. Start with a free Set Check on your next permit set.
Request a free Set CheckSources
- RCW 18.43 (18.43.020(10) significant structures; 18.43.040(2) structural engineer; 18.43.070 certificate specifies branch; 18.43.100 out-of-state applicants; 18.43.130 COA rules)
- WAC 196-27A Rules of professional conduct (practice within fields of competence)
- BRPELS Renewals (PE expires every 2 years on birthday; firms annually)
- BRPELS Professional Engineer by Comity (NCEES Record as a transmittal option; page returned 403 to fetch)
- RCW 18.43.080 Expiration and renewals; continuing professional development (as amended by 2026 c 134)
- WAC Title 196 chapter list (no PE CE chapter)
- WSR 26-14-075 permanent rules eff. Aug. 1, 2026 (CPD amendments are in WAC 196-16, land surveyors)
SealBench suggests who may seal each sheet and shows why. The licensed professional takes responsible charge and applies the seal. SealBench is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, and does not file anything with any board. Questions or corrections: support@sealbench.com.