What is a CEU?

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) was developed by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET) and is a measure used in continuing education programs, particularly those required in a licensed profession in order for the professional to maintain the license. Occupational positions such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineering, architects, CPAs, real estate agents, financial advisers, and others are required to participate in continuing education programs for a certain number of hours every licensing cycle to keep their certificates, or licenses to practice, current. The number of CEUs required and the cycle (annual, biennial, etc.) varies by industry and state, as well as any state specific course requirements (ethics, laws and rules, etc.).

A CEU is defined as ten (10) contact hours (1 hour = 60 minutes) of participation in a recognized continuing education program, with qualified instruction and sponsorship. These courses are intended to improve the persons’ skills and ensure being up to date with current practices, technology, laws, and regulations that might apply to their field. Proof of credits earned is necessary to renew a license to practice, generally provided with a certificate of completion indicating required course information, date, attendee name and awarded contact hours/continuing education units. Most courses award in continuing education hours since the session time is less than 1 CEU (10 contact hours); the hours may be awarded as general learning units or based on a specific type/approved relevance, as discussed in the next question.

 *As a note, contact hours are continuing education hours (CEs or CEHs); however, many use these terms interchangeably with CEUs. Course websites often incorrectly refer to the term CEU when they are discussing contact hours (not units) and some organizations may incorrectly report on the completion certificate one CEU of credit for each contact hour of instruction. They may, and most likely in fact, be referring to contact hours when they used CEU clarification may be required. *

What are the different types of contact hours?

There are many types of contact hours that can make up a CEU, ranging from learning hours to specific technical informative hours - both related to a specific field of study. Contact hours are based on a 60-minute hour and are reported in quarter hour increments (e.g. 1 hour 45 minutes – 1.75 contact hours). For courses exceeding an hour, an entire contact hour can be awarded as long as a minimum of 50 minutes of presentation / study / participation per hour is undertaken. If no breaks are taken, or there are breaks of less than 10 minutes per hour, no additional time may be claimed. Contact hours may not exceed the actual contact clock hours and typically are not accepted at less than half an hour. Below are a few of the more common contact hour types:

• CE / CEH – a learning hour of continuing education from an approved sponsor.

• LU – Learning Unit; a general learning hour of continuing education specifically approved by the American Institute of Architects 's Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES).

• HSW – Health, Safety and Welfare; continuing education specifically approved by the AIA/CES) where 75% of the content specifically address one or more topics related to protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare as occupants of the built environment.

• PDH – Professional Development Hour; continuing education related most commonly to specific technical training for engineers and land surveyors.

• PDU – Professional Development Unit; continuing education for project management professionals (also accepted in some states for land surveyors).

• CME – Continuing Medical Education; continuing education training for physicians.

• CLE – Continuing Legal Education; continuing education for attorneys.
  

How do I earn the CEU type required for my license?

In general, CEUs can be earned in-person or virtually via conferences or live/pre-recorded webinars held by colleges, universities, or any association, company, or organization that is willing and able to meet the standards established for a particular industry to be accredited, although states may accept credit hours for other activities as well. A multitude of CEU vendors can be found online that offer live and online courses, as well as notifications about in-person courses/seminars. Qualifying activities are indicated on each individual state’s related website. The following activities are usually acceptable to the state boards although some may allow limited hours:

• Completing or attending seminars, in-house training programs which relates to the licensee's professional practice.

• Attending technical or professional society meetings when a topic related to the licensee's professional practice is presented as a principal part of the program.

• Successfully completing university or college courses.

• For non-faculty, teaching or instructing qualifying courses or seminars or making presentations at technical meetings can earn credit at twice that of participants (credit is only for first time or if substantial time has been spent in updating previously taught material).

• Authorship of published papers, articles, or books.

• Earning US patent (credit related to preparation time).