Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for most events.
One CEC CEU represents one clock hour in a planned continuing education experience that is relevant to the profession or discipline of special education, developed from explicit learning outcomes, conducted by qualified instructional personnel, and designed to reflect principles of good practice in adult education.
Continuing Education Unit FAQs
Both in-person events and online learning opportunities are eligible for CEUs. Activities that award CEUs will always include that information along with the number of CEUs available in registration information.
CEC reserves the right to not offer CEUs for any in-person event or online webinar, course, or program.
Activities that are not eligible for CEUs include service on committees and boards, and training related to volunteer roles in CEC (e.g., membership development training for CEC Unit officers).
You must be registered for the event or activity and meet the completion requirement for the event. Typically, you must attend 75% or more of an online learning activity to have completed the learning, as documented in the CEC Learning Library.
Only the registrant for an in-person event or online learning opportunity can claim CEUs.
You will receive a certificate documenting the number of CEUs you have earned at the end of an event. How you receive this certificate will vary based on the type of event you attend:
For online learning, including webinars, courses, and events, you can access your CEU certificates through the “My History” section in CEC’s Learning Library. You will only be able to print certificates for items you have completed.
For the CEC Convention & Expo, you will receive an email after the event with information on how to claim your CEUs and print a certificate or transcript.
For other in-person events, you will generally receive a paper certificate at the end of the event.
Be sure to keep these certificates for your records.
You should always check in advance with your state's Department of Education or certifying body to be sure CEC CEUs are accepted for licensure or recertification.
What was formerly known as Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are now known as Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This change is simply to reflect the wording that many states and other organizations use to designate their professional development and continuing education offerings.