About the CEU

How can organizations deliver – and adult learners receive - the education required to maintain professional memberships, certification or licensing? How can records of these educational experiences be effectively accumulated, updated and transferred?

The continuing education unit (CEU) was created to address these questions and more. CEUs:

• Provide a standard unit of measurement,
• Quantify continuing education and training (CE/T) activities, and
• Accommodate for the diversity of providers, activities, and purposes in adult education.

One CEU equals ten contact hours of participation in an organized CE/T experience, delivered under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction.

Learn how to calculate the CEU.

Ownership of a Higher Standard

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) developed the CEU in 1970 and is the caretaker of the CEU. IACET assumes responsibility for refining and disseminating information about the CEU through its programs, publications and research.

The CEU created by IACET is used by thousands of organizations. Only CE/T providers that go through the Authorized Provider accreditation process and get approved are allowed to issue IACET CEUs.

Recognition of CE/T Excellence

To ensure quality in CE/T programs and to increase consumer confidence in organizations that adhere to the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training, IACET established its Authorized Provider program in 1991. This program recognizes organizations that have proven that their CE/T policies and processes meet all elements of the ANSI/IACET Standard.

Not all CEUs are created equal. The term “CEU” is in the public domain and can be used by organizations that are not IACET Authorized Providers. That’s why it is important to look for IACET CEUs so that individuals seeking high quality courses can differentiate between continuing education that has been reviewed by a third party.

IACET CEUs are recognized by learners, instructors, regulators and employers worldwide and can only be awarded by IACET Authorized Providers. This distinction assures employers, credentialing associations, licensing bodies and others that a learner has completed a quality program that meets the national standard for continuing education and training.