A CEU, or Continuing Education Unit, is a measure of participation in an accredited continuing education program or course. It is a nationally recognized standard unit of credit that many professional organizations and regulatory boards use to measure and recognize professional development.
To earn CEUs, professionals typically need to complete accredited continuing education courses or programs, and may need to pass an exam or meet other requirements to demonstrate their mastery of the material. The specific requirements for CEUs can vary depending on the profession and the state or organization that regulates it.
Many professions require CEUs as a condition of licensure or certification. Some of the professions that require CEUs include:
- Healthcare professionals – This includes doctors, nurses, medical coders and billers, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and many others.
- Lawyers – Attorneys are typically required to complete a certain number of continuing legal education (CLE) hours to maintain their licenses.
- Teachers – Educators in many states are required to earn a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) or professional development hours to renew their teaching licenses.
- Engineers – Professional engineers are required to earn a certain number of continuing education credits to maintain their licenses.
- Accountants – Certified public accountants (CPAs) are required to complete a certain number of continuing education credits each year to maintain their licenses.
- Social workers – Social workers are typically required to earn a certain number of continuing education credits to maintain their licensure.
- Real estate professionals – Real estate agents and brokers are often required to complete a certain number of continuing education courses to maintain their licenses.
- Information technology professionals – Many IT certifications require professionals to earn continuing education credits to maintain their certification status.
- Environmental professionals – Environmental scientists, engineers, and consultants are often required to complete a certain number of continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Architects – Architects are often required to complete a certain number of continuing education credits to maintain their licenses.
- Dental professionals – Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Fitness professionals – Personal trainers, group fitness instructors, and other fitness professionals may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their certifications.
- Human resources professionals – HR professionals may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their professional certifications, such as the SHRM-CP or PHR.
- Insurance professionals – Insurance agents and brokers may be required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Firefighters and emergency responders – Many fire departments and emergency services organizations require their personnel to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certifications and licenses.
- Psychologists and counselors – Mental health professionals may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Cosmetologists and estheticians – Many states require cosmetologists and estheticians to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain their licenses.
- Veterinary professionals – Veterinarians and veterinary technicians may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Nutritionists and dietitians – Nutritionists and dietitians may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Occupational health and safety professionals – Health and safety professionals may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their certifications, such as the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation.
- Financial professionals – Financial planners, investment advisors, and other financial professionals may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Project managers – Project management professionals may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
- Government officials – Some government agencies and organizations require their employees to earn continuing education credits to maintain their professional development and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
- Speech-language pathologists – Speech-language pathologists may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Emergency medical technicians and paramedics – EMTs and paramedics may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Certified nursing assistants – CNAs may be required to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain their certifications.
- Environmental health professionals – Environmental health specialists, sanitarians, and other environmental health professionals may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses or certifications.
- Court reporters – Court reporters may be required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their professional certifications.
- Massage therapy instructors – Massage therapy instructors may be required to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain their teaching credentials.
- Massage therapists – Massage therapists may be required to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain their licenses.
The specific requirements for CEUs can vary depending on the profession and the state or organization that regulates it. It is important for professionals to understand the specific CEU requirements for their profession in order to maintain their licensure or certification status.