What are Continuing Education Credits?



CEU’s in general are a great way to enhance one’s professional portfolio. The process provides printable validation and acknowledgement of the extra learning sessions you are participating in outside of the normal work environment. This can help when you are preparing to move up the ladder, ask for a raise, grow your own personal knowledge of your industry or meet requirement for licensure renewal or recertification.

Many professional membership associations/organizations require continuing education credits (CEC) so that members stay up to date and sharp in their work. The way these credits are earned can vary widely, but most systems give CEC for participation in courses, performing research, giving presentations, etc. Every organization requires a different number of credits to be accumulated within a set period of time.

Most states require certain professionals (for example, teachers and architects) to complete a number of CEC in order to renew their licenses. This is known as Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE). Check with your professional association/organization to determine if the credits offered by Great Lakes ADA Center OnLine Learning count towards MCE.

Some associations/organizations refer to CEC with other terms like Continuing Education Units (CEU), Learning Units (LU) or Professional Development Hours (PDH), but the meaning is the same. They require a certain amount of credits or units to maintain membership. Usually the number of credits earned for an activity is equal to the time spent doing it, but some activities can earn more or less credits per hour.

What is AIA?

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a membership organization of architects dedicated to promoting and upholding high standards within the profession. Membership in the organization requires a degree in architecture (or a technical job under the supervision of an architect) and 18 AIA CES learning units every year for renewal of the membership.

What are AIA credits?

AIA credits, or AIA CES (AIA continuing education system) learning units, are continuing education credits approved by the AIA. They are counted towards the 18 learning units that AIA members need each year to renew their membership. Select sessions of the Great Lakes ADA Center OnLine learning qualify as AIA credits. Please check the schedule to see which sessions apply for AIA.

Who needs AIA credits?

Only AIA members need AIA CES credits. They are used to stay up to date in the Architecture Profession and to maintain membership in AIA. They may be accepted by State Regulatory Agencies as well. It is the responsibility of individuals to check with their state regulatory agency for applicability.

What is CRCC?

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets the standard for quality rehabilitation counseling services in the U.S. and Canada. After a certification process that culminates in a comprehensive examination, the commission is able to certify professionals as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC). The commission requires recertification every five years. This is accomplished by retaking the exam or accumulating 100 CRC credits within the five year period.

What are CRC credits?

CRC credits are continuing education credits approved by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) that can be applied to recertification as a CRC, CCRC (Canadian), CRC-MAC, CRC-CS or CRC-MAC-CS. CRCC has a list of pre-approved programs and trainings that qualify for CRC credits on its website. Selected sessions of the Great Lakes ADA Center OnLine Learning qualify for CRC credits. Please check the schedule to see which sessions apply for CRC.

Who needs CRC credits?

Those professionals who need credits for recertification from CRCC may request CRC credits from Great Lakes ADA Center. The credits have not been accepted as part of any other programs.

What are LA CES credits?

Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES) is a collaboration of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, and the Landscape Architecture Foundation

Who needs LA CES credits?

Continuing education is needed to stay up to date in the Landscape Architect profession, to develop new areas of expertise, and is mandated for maintaining licensure in many jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of individuals to check with their state regulatory agency for applicability. Please check the schedule to see which sessions apply for LAS CES.

What is SHRM?

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the largest association of HR professionals in the world. It offers its members access to a substantial body of research, resources, and trainings. In addition it offers or approves many different programs for continuing education credits which can be applied towards the HRCI recertification process.

What are SHRM credits?

There is no such thing as credits labeled SHRM credits. What we mean by this is Continuing Education Credits sponsored by SHRM. These credits can be submitted to HRCI as a part of the recertification process. Such credits earned through the appropriate sessions offered by Great Lakes ADA Center are applicable to PHR and SPHR recertification, but not GPHR. Please check the schedule to see which sessions apply for SHRM credits.

Who needs SHRM Continuing Education Credits?

HR professionals who need credits for recertification from HRCI are the intended recipients of the SHRM Continuing Education Credits that are offered. Other groups or organizations may accept them for various projects, but the credits have only been pre-approved for HRCI recertification.

What is HRCI?

Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) is an organization that promotes the establishment of professional standards in the HR community. HRCI offers certification to HR professionals who have demonstrated professional experience and pass a comprehensive exam. HRCI offers three different certification programs: PHR (Professional in Human Resources), SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources), and GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources). After certification, a person may display their certification status by listing the initials after their name.

Certified HR professionals need to recertify with HRCI every three years in order to demonstrate their continued commitment to staying up to date in the HR field. Recertification can be achieved by retaking the examination or by accumulating 60 continuing education hours during every three year period. Educational hours are available for a number of activities, including (but not limited to) membership in a professional organization, serving on a committee within your organization, instruction on a HR topic, on the job experiences, and participation in select programs and teleconferences. Select sessions of the Great Lakes ADA Center Online learning qualify for HRCI credits. Please check the schedule to see which sessions apply for HRCI credits.