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What is a CEU?
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are nationally recognized measures of lifelong learning credit (not degree credit). They are a way of assigning learning credits for education or training that does not have college credit but that does provide the participant with advanced or post-high school training. One CEU is defined as 10 contact hours of participation in an organized education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. Only programs which are a significant educational experience and for which a permanent record will be maintained would be awarded CEUs.

Who awards CEUs?
Certain professional organizations, the medical associations in particular, require that International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and/or the professional society or association approve any CEU course before they are offered. However, most colleges, universities and other course providers award CEUs without authorization from IACET or authorization from professional associations.

The procedure
The CEUs provider offers the course (or it may be a seminar, conference, or workshop) and ensures the quality of the course provided. Upon completion of all the course requirement, the provider issues a certificate to the paticipants. The certificate consists of the name of attendee, the number of the CEUs awarded, and the name of the organization awarding the CEUs. It is the individual’s responsibility to keep and present the certificate to whatever organization that requires the certificate. The CEU provider keeps the record of the CEUs in case the attendees need verification later.

Who uses CEUs?
The CEU record can provide a current or prospective employer with information about an individual's continuing education and training experiences. This document can also be used by registration and certification boards and occupational societies which require continuing education to maintain or increase professional competence as a requirement to renew a certificate.

Will all courses assigned CEUs satisfy professional growth requirements for my license or certification?
While many courses qualify for CEUs, not all subject matter is acceptable to specific professional licensing and certification programs. You should check with your licensing or certification program to ensure that a particular course will be acceptable.


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