What is a Continuing Education Unit?

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a measure used in continuing education programs, particularly those required in a licensed profession in order for the professional to maintain the license. Generally, a CEU is defined as the number of hours of participation in a recognized continuing education program, with qualified instruction and sponsorship. How the hours are credited depends on the association, group, or govenerning bodies. There is no set standard in Canada for calculation methods, number of CEU credits required to maintain your accreditation or how many years you have to complete the number of CEU credits required.

You will need to check with your "professional association" or "Governing body" to find out what the up to date requirements are for you.

CEU records are widely used to provide evidence of completion of continuing education requirements mandated by certification bodies, professional societies, or governmental licensing boards. The records also provide employers with information on training pertinent to particular occupations. Along with volunteer work they also fill out your resume with more experience and credibility as courses that you have taken.

The term CEU is in the public domain. Any organization may award a traditional CEU without requiring any accreditation. With a traditional CEU an employer or other organization must decide on an individual basis whether to honor the CEU from a training provider.