PDFWAC 308-13-185

What activities qualify as professional development?

(1) You are responsible to seek out qualifying activities that can be demonstrated to the board as relevant to professional development.
(a) Activities are not preapproved by the board.
(b) Activities must be relevant to the practice of landscape architecture and may include technical, ethical or managerial content.
(i) At least eighteen PDHs must address public health, safety and welfare.
(ii) All activities must have a clear purpose and objective that will maintain, improve or expand skills and knowledge relevant to the practice of landscape architecture.
(2) The board is the final authority with respect to claimed qualifying activities and the respective PDH credit.
(3) The qualifying activity becomes eligible for credit upon completion of the given activity.
(4) Examples of qualifying activities:
Activity (1 PDH is equal to no less than 50 minutes of activity)
Maximum PDHs
One hour of preparation and subsequent presentation of a professional development program at seminars, professional/technical meetings, conventions or conferences. This credit does not apply to full-time faculty.
10 PDHs per year
For publication of an authored technical paper or article.
10 PDHs
For publication of an authored book.
30 PDHs
Professional boards or commissions: Serving as an elected officer or appointed chair of a committee of an organization in a professional society or organization. PDH shall not be earned until the completion of each year of service.
4 PDHs per organization
Boards or commissions related to the practice of landscape architecture: Serving as an elected officer or appointed member of a board or commission. PDH shall not be earned until the completion of each year of service.
4 PDHs per organization
Professional examination grading or writing: Serving as an exam grader or on a committee writing exam materials for a professional registration examination.
8 PDHs per biennium
Membership on the regulatory board for the practice of landscape architecture.
8 PDHs per year
One hour of attendance at meetings or hearings of the board. This credit does not apply to existing board members or to parties or witnesses in hearings before the board.
6 PDHs per year
One hour of work, outside normal duties of employment that involves participation in other recognized professional activities.
2 PDHs per year
One hour of self-study.
5 PDHs per year
One hour of participation in sessions or courses, sponsored by technical or professional societies, organizations or the board.
No limit
One hour of participation in organized courses, including employer provided courses, on environmental health topics/first aid/safety, technical or management skills.
No limit
One hour of attendance at professional or technical society meetings with an informational program.
5 PDHs per year
Pro bono service that has a clear purpose and objective and maintains, improves, or expands the professional knowledge or skill of the registrant. Four hours of service is equal to 1 PDH.
4 PDHs per year
One hour of participation in an activity involving substantial and organized peer interaction, excluding time spent during regular employment.
5 PDHs per year
(5) The following activities do not qualify as professional development:
(a) Activities that were conditions of a board order;
(b) Attendance or testimony at legislative hearings, at city or county council meetings/hearings, or at civil or criminal trials;
(c) Time spent fund-raising for scholarships or other society purposes or lobbying for legislation;
(d) Attendance at gatherings that are primarily social in nature;
(e) Membership and/or attendance in service club meetings.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.96.060. WSR 10-12-116, § 308-13-185, filed 6/2/10, effective 7/3/10.]