QUESTION: How do I qualify my e-learning courses for Continuing Education Units?

First, some background. The continuing education unit was adopted more than 30 years ago as a uniform way to measure continuing education and training programs. CEUs were created to show an equivalency with the formal coursework associated with higher education.

The National Task Force for the CEU defined one CEU as 10 contact hours (in this case, 50 minutes equals one hour), with the caveat that the educational activity be under the direction of a responsible organization with capable, qualified instructors. Parts of a CEU (for example, .5 CEU) can also be awarded under this system. It should be noted that CEUs can't be counted toward high school equivalency or college credit.

Many associations offer CEUs to help professionals meet their continuing education requirements, especially for people whose fields require licensure or certification. CEUs can be obtained at special training sessions, through conference sessions, or through other venues. Lately, a popular way to earn CEUs has been through distance learning or Web-based training.

The body that oversees approval to grant CEUs is The International Association for Continuing Education and Training. The IACET (formerly the Council on the Continuing Education Unit) outlines a certification application and review process at www.iacet.org/ceu/ceu.htm for CEUs issued for a five-year period and at www.iacet.org/singleevent/singleevent.htm for a one-time issuance of CEUs.

Be sure to plan ahead, though. With an application fee of $350, annual dues of $600, and a $150 fee for verification by a trained site visitor, organizations can expect a lag time of three to four months before gaining final approval to be an Authorized Provider Organization.

This process allows an approved organization to issue CEUs for a five-year period. To be able to issue CEUs on a one-time basis (for example, a conference workshop for CEU), you can apply for a Single Event Approval. In any case, prior to applying, you might want to order the IACET publication entitled "The Criteria and Guidelines for Quality Continuing Education and Training Programs: The CEU and Other Measurement Units;" the item is $17 for nonmembers, and you can order it on their Website at http://www.iacet.org/publication/pub_form.htm.

Published: September 2000