Keeping up with the latest advances in one’s field simply makes excellent common sense, especially in fields packing a potentially huge impact on public health, safety and peace of mind.

State Rep. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), who represents the 1st Legislative District, maintains that licensed engineers should continue learning just like other professionals who are licensed by the state, such as architects and land surveyors.

“Continuing professional development is a basic and very important requirement for many professions,” Stanford emphasized.

Stanford is prime-sponsoring House Bill 1231, a measure that would bring licensed engineers in Washington up to the same level as 40 other states by requiring 15 hours per year of continuing professional development.

Currently, a professional engineer’s license in Washington can be renewed forever simply by paying the renewal fee.

For a timely example of why the continuing-education requirements in the bill are so very needed, one need look no further than the recently reported leaking-pontoon problems with the under-construction new Interstate 520 bridge.

The bill was scheduled for a hearing last Wednesday in the House Business and Financial Services Committee. The measure will likely come up for a vote in the committee next week.