Continuing Education
[Q1] Will any part of the conference apply toward the continuing education requirements for Professional Geoscientists?
[Q2] Will any part of the conference apply toward the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineers?
[Q3] Will any part of the conference apply toward the continuing education requirements for Attorneys?
Registration
[Q1] Can I use my credit card to pay for registration, an exhibitor space, or to be an underwriter?
[Q2] Do I have to register online?
[Q3] Is there a price break for early registration?
[Q4] Do presenters get free admission to the conference?
[Q5] Do invited session chairs get free admission to the conference?
Exhibitors
[Q1] Will I be able to choose my location in the exhibitors' area?
[Q2] Will the exhibitors area be situated to encourage foot traffic?
Abstracts
[Q1] My topic is not included on the checklist. Can I still submit my abstract?
Continuing Education
Q: Will any part of the conference apply toward the continuing education requirements for Professional Geoscientists?
A: Since attending HGS meetings qualifies, participation in the ECIC10 either as a presenter or as a delegate would qualify. We will provide a CE certificate to all participants. Many of the CE requirements are based on a subjective assessment of the activity and submitted on the honor system. A physical certificate would help participants to keep track of participation. Some people just let certificates (or handwritten notes documenting an event) accumulate in a file, then tally them up when recertification is required.
According to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists: "The Continuing Education Program for Professional Geoscientists becomes effective September 1, 2006. Upon renewing a P.G. license after that date, there will be a question on the renewal form asking for certification that the 15 hours of Continuing Education have been completed for that year. As of this time, no other proof of CE hours is necessary. However, it is important to keep a completed log of CE hours in your possession in cases where further proof of hours is requested.
Any qualifying continuing education hours taken from September 2004 onward can be used for the 2006 yearly requirement.
Any hours accumulated over the required 15 can be carried forward to the next year (up to a maximum of 30).
For more details, go to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists Website at http://www.tbpg.state.tx.us/continuing%20education.html
Q: Will any part of the conference apply toward the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineers?
A: From: http://www.aade.org/houston/Ed_Programs/TBPE%20Continuing%20Education%20Program%5B1%5D.doc
The Texas Board of Professional Engineers in 2003 was instructed by Texas SB277 to implement a Continuing Education Program. CEP credits, referred to as Professional Development Hours or PDH units, are required for renewals due in the calendar year 2005.
Complete Texas SB277 rules are available for viewing at www.tbpe.state.tx.us/CEP_Info.htm. Portions of the Texas SB277 are highlighted below:
CEP Rule – 131.139 – Texas Occupations Code, Chapters 1001.202 and 1001.210.
f. PDH units may be earned as follows:
2. Successful completion of continuing education courses, either offered by a professional or trade organization, university or college, or offered in-house by a corporation, other business entity, professional or technical societies, associations, agencies, or organizations, or other group.
4. Presenting or attending seminars, in-house courses, workshops, or professional or technical presentations made at meetings, conventions, or conferences sponsored by a corporation, other business entity, professional or technical societies, associations, agencies, or organizations, or other group.
i. Determination of credit:
4. Credit for seminars and workshops will be based on one PDH unit for each hour of attendance. Attendance at programs presented at professional and/or technical society meetings will earn PDH units for the actual time of each program.
j. The license holder is responsible for maintaining records to be used to support credits claimed:
2. Attendance verification records in the form of completion certificates or other documents supporting evidence of attendance.
How many PDH hours are required per year?
The Texas SB277 rule requires 15 PDH units per year. Should you earn more than 15 PDH units in one year then up to 15 PDH units can be rolled over to the immediate next year.
How should course work be evaluated for credit?
Two basic criteria must be met:
1. Is the specific activity on the list of approved activities outlined in the Texas SB277 rule?
2. Is the activity relevant to the practice of a technical profession and does it include technical, ethical or managerial content?
a. Presenting or attending qualifying seminars, in-house courses, workshops, or professional or technical presentations made at a meeting, convention and/or conference sponsored by a corporation, professional or technical society, association, agency, or organization.
b. Authoring published papers, articles, and books or accepted licensing examination items.
Documentation and/or proof required?
Only two things are required of the TBPE licensed professional engineer:
1. Fill in a list of activities and dates on the TBPE license renewal statement. This is the primary document that the board reviews and maintains and record of completing the CEP requirement.
2. Keep documents of proof for your activity such as a certificate of completion or attendance in a course or seminar, a grade report, a flyer or agenda from a presentation or meeting or any other documentation that shows the date, location, duration and type of activity being claimed.
Q: Will any part of the conference apply toward the continuing education requirements for attorneys?
A: No
Registration
Q: Can I use my credit card to pay for registration, an exhibitor space, or to be an underwriter?
A: Yes
Q: Do I have to register online?
A: Yes. You will still have all payment options (check, credit card, or PayPal) via our online registration system.
Q: Is there a price break for early registration?
A: No.
Q: Do presenters get free admission to the conference?
A: No, presenters must pay the regular registration fee.
Q: Do invited session chairs get free admission to the conference?
A: Yes, invited session chairs get free admission to the conference, but we do ask that they complete the online registration process.
Exhibitors
Q: Will I be able to choose my location in the exhibitors’ area?
A: You will be able to select your top three choices from those
booths remaining at the time your registration is submitted.
Q: Will the exhibitors area be situated to encourage foot traffic?
A: Yes. Breakfast and break refreshments will be served in the exhibitors room. The silent auction and poster session will be set up in there if space permits. Finally, we have scheduled a cash bar social and entertainment in the exhibitors room until 7:00 p.m.
Abstracts
Q: My topic is not included on the checklist. Can I still submit my abstract?
A: The list on the registration form is not meant to be all-inclusive. You may submit an abstract for whatever pertinent environmental topic you choose. Just check the “Other” box on the registration form.