This is something event planners ask me all the time – and honestly, I was confused about it for years.
I've been a professional keynote speaker since 2011, and something completely unexpected happened early in my career. People started receiving continuing education units (CEUs) for my presentations, and honestly, I was so confused.
It turns out that, thanks to my experience and work (speaking, writing articles, and books), various boards approved my presentations for CEUs even without formal mental health credentials. Who knew? Fast forward to 2020, when the pandemic hit, and I got my company, the Training Refinery, accredited by IACET (International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training). This made it much easier for event planners who hire me to offer pre-approved CEUs.
Here's what I've learned that every event planner needs to know:
The reality is that not all speakers can legitimately offer continuing education credits, and as an event planner, you need to know how to properly vet speakers and their programs.
The hard truths about CEUs that nobody talks about:
- Accredited organizations can award legitimate CEUs – individual speakers must partner with accredited providers to offer valid continuing education credits
- Events offering CEUs see 20% higher attendance rates, as 96% of professionals prioritize skill development for career advancement
- You need to verify a speaker's background, content standards, and industry recognition before hiring to ensure attendees receive valuable, compliant continuing education
- Proper CEU documentation requires specific elements: participant name, provider details, course title, completion date, hours earned, and subject area for audit compliance
- CEU-eligible events gain a competitive advantage by attracting motivated professionals who view continuing education as essential for maintaining licenses and advancing careers
When you do this right, offering CEUs transforms your event into a must-attend professional development opportunity that delivers real value to attendees while boosting your event's credibility and market position.
What Are CEUs and Why Do They Matter for Events?
What is a CEU certificate?
The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a standardized measurement created in 1970 by IACET and the U.S. Department of Education to quantify non-credit continuing education activities [17]. One CEU equals 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education or training experience [17] [17]. This matters because it provides a consistent way to measure professional development across industries and providers.
A CEU certificate serves as a permanent record of educational accomplishments for individuals who complete significant non-credit educational experiences [17]. The instructional time includes engaging with instructors, completing assignments, watching required videos, and working through mandatory learning activities [9]. Here's the catch, though: optional activities and extra work that certain students might need don't count toward the total.
Not all CEUs are created equal.
The term “CEU” is in the public domain, meaning many organizations use it for their training hours [17]. True IACET CEUs come only from Accredited Providers who meet the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training [17]. This distinction gives employers, credentialing associations, and licensing bodies confidence that learners have completed high-quality training programs that meet national standards.
Who needs continuing education credits?
Here's what I've learned from working with thousands of professionals over the years: almost everyone in a licensed profession needs these credits.
Continuing education for certification or licensure renewal maintains professional knowledge and technical competency [7]. Many professions require practitioners to earn specific CEUs per renewal cycle to stay current with industry practices. Renewal cycles typically run for 2 years from the issue or last renewal date to the expiration date [7].
Professionals across multiple fields need these credits, including:
- Healthcare workers (nursing, counseling, social work)
- Educators and teachers
- Engineers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- Certified advisers and mental health counselors
- Meeting and event planning professionals [17] [7] [6]
For instance, certified advisers need 36 hours every 2 years, including at least 6 hours in law and professional ethics [5]. Social workers in North Carolina must satisfy continuing education requirements for all credentialing levels [7]. These requirements allow professionals some flexibility in selecting courses relevant to their expertise areas.
The difference between CEUs and other continuing education credits
This is where it gets confusing – and trust me, I've seen plenty of event planners get tripped up by this.
CE stands for Continuing Education, an umbrella term for activities such as seminars, workshops, and webinars [8]. The confusion started when these terms became interchangeable in certain professional communities, with CEU becoming the more popular descriptor [8].
The main difference: CEs are calculated based on direct instruction time, where 50 minutes equals one CE [8]. CEs appear as whole numbers without decimals and are never rounded up. CEUs convert into other measurements like Professional Development Hours or Continuing Education Credits, depending on the organization [17] [17]. Some credentialing boards use “CEUs” on their websites, but they actually refer to contact hours [9].
Yeah, I know. It's a mess.
The Reality Check: Speakers Can't Just Hand Out CEUs
Here's what I learned the hard way about who can actually award these things
I used to think I could just decide to offer CEUs at my presentations. Wrong.
Speakers can't directly award CEUs – period. What we need is at least five years of hands-on experience in our subject matter (usually verified through an updated CV) [7]. Some licensing boards get even pickier and require specific instructor approval before you can even step on stage [7].
The truth hit me when I started digging deeper into this whole system.
The IACET gatekeepers
Only an IACET Accredited Provider can slap that official IACET AP logo on anything and offer legitimate IACET CEUs [6]. And here's the kicker – the accreditation belongs to the organization, not individual speakers like me.
To get this golden ticket, an organization must be a bona fide governmental unit or a legally recognized business that's been in operation for at least a year [8]. They also need a solid structure for running continuing education programs and written policies that actually follow the ANSI/IACET Standard [8].
This is exactly why I got my company, the Training Refinery, accredited in 2020.
Why most speakers are just blowing smoke
I've seen too many speakers claiming they offer CEUs when they really can't. A college can't just accredit your organization out of thin air, and unless that college is directly providing the training, those CEUs might be worthless [9]. Unless you're accredited under a standard like ANSI/IACET 1-2018, those CEUs may not count when people actually need them [9].
You can't fake quality assurance. If your organization is doing the teaching, your organization needs to own the quality through proper accreditation [9].
How I actually make CEUs happen for my clients
Established, accredited providers handle speaker credential verification, proper categorization, file maintenance, customer support, and attendance certificates [10]. Learn more about my presentations, which can be eligible for CEUs.
These verification letters cost between $500 for speakers already on file and $1,000 for new speakers [10]. It's not cheap, but it's the only way to offer legitimate CEUs. These partnerships let qualified keynote speakers like me deliver the content while the accredited providers handle all the compliance headaches.
In my case, I own The Training Refinery and can work with our Learning Experience Director to customize a presentation that's IACET-accredited.
The bottom line? If someone promises you CEUs without this kind of partnership, run.
What You Need to Know Before Hiring a CEU Speaker
Don't Trust Anyone's Word About Accreditation
Review that accreditation carefully. The approval details are usually buried in the small print, and if you can't find them on the certificate or course webpage, get on the phone with the education provider directly [2]. Don't be shy about this – your attendees are counting on you.
CE Broker tracks courses for over 250 US regulatory boards, but here's what they don't tell you: they don't actually approve the courses themselves [2]. They're just a tracking system. You still need to verify everything through the actual certificates and providers.
Content Standards Matter More Than You Think
I've seen speakers try to sneak marketing pitches into CEU presentations. Don't let this happen at your event.
The content must align with the intended audience, and the course objectives must clearly demonstrate how the session helps people remain competent in their field [11]. If a speaker can't explain this clearly, that's a red flag.
Presentations must be unbiased and free of any marketing materials [7]. I've had to turn down speaking opportunities because event planners wanted me to promote their sponsors during my CEU-eligible talks. That's not how this works.
Documentation Will Save You During Audits
Trust me on this – you don't want to be scrambling during an audit. Certificates need your attendees' names, the program provider's name, the course title, the completion date, the CE hours earned, and the subject area [12]. Miss any of these elements and the credits might not count.
Accredited providers must retain records for up to 5 years, and ACCME-accredited providers must retain them for 6 years [7] [1]. Make sure your speaker's provider understands this responsibility.
Industry Recognition Isn't Automatic
Different industries accept different types of continuing education credits. What works for nurses might not work for social workers or engineers.
Check your board's official website for specific approval requirements [2]. I've learned that what seems obvious often isn't, and assumptions here can cost your attendees their professional standing.
Contact me if you want to discuss structuring presentations that meet your specific industry requirements. I'd rather have an honest conversation up front than disappoint your attendees later.
Why CEUs Make Your Event Irresistible
Your attendance numbers will thank you
Here's what I've seen firsthand: offering continuing education credits can boost event attendance by 20 percent [3]. The numbers don't lie. 39 percent of members cite continuing education as a primary reason for joining professional associations, up from 36 percent the previous year [4].
When event planners advertise CEU-eligible sessions, you're tapping into professionals who are hungry for career advancement opportunities. These aren't the people who show up just for the free coffee and networking. They come with purpose.
People will actually value what you're offering
Again, 96 percent of professionals say that continuing to develop work-related skills is important or very important [4].
Think about it – your attendees aren't looking for another conference to add to their LinkedIn feed. They want education that actually moves their careers forward [13]. When you work with an established CE provider, you're not just throwing another event. You're creating something they genuinely need [14].
You'll stand out from every other event
Events offering quality CE sessions don't get lost in the noise [13]. Professionals pursuing continuing education bring enhanced knowledge and skills to their work, which gives them a competitive edge [15].
Learn more about my keynotes that can help you gain a competitive advantage.
Your event gets instant credibility
Certifications and credentials tell clients that professionals have the knowledge and expertise to deliver quality services [16]. When your event offers legitimate CEUs, you're borrowing that same credibility.
Engagement levels go through the roof
Subject matter experts bring something different to the table – credibility, industry insights, and practical knowledge that makes sessions more engaging and impactful for attendees [13].
Conclusion
Offering CEUs can transform your event from ordinary to essential for professionals seeking career advancement. As a matter of fact, proper vetting separates legitimate continuing education opportunities from worthless certificates. Verify your speaker's accreditation status, confirm content meets industry standards, and check documentation requirements before making commitments. When you do it right, attendees will recognize the value immediately.
Learn more about my presentations, which can be eligible for CEUs.
FAQs
Q1. Do conferences and seminars count toward earning CEUs? Yes, you can earn CEUs by attending various educational events such as clinics, conferences, seminars, workshops, or live-streamed events. Your participation can be either in-person or virtual, but it must be a live event rather than a pre-recorded session to qualify for continuing education units.
Q2. What's the difference between a keynote speaker and a guest speaker at events? A keynote speaker introduces the main topic and sets the overall tone for the event, serving as the headliner or star attraction. Guest speakers, on the other hand, delve into more specific details in subsequent talks and expand on particular points, serving as supporting presenters who complement the keynote's broader message.
Q3. How can event organizers attract expert keynote speakers on a limited budget? Start with early outreach and leverage your professional network to find speakers. Consider offering virtual presentation options to reduce travel costs, increase visibility through publications and media coverage, and explore partnerships with local organizations or sponsors to help cover speaker expenses. Building relationships with speakers who are already planning to attend your event can also be an effective strategy.
Q4. What should be included on a CEU certificate of completion? A proper certificate of completion must contain your name, the program provider's name, the course title, the completion date, the number of CE hours earned, and the subject area. These elements are essential for documentation and verification purposes when submitting credits to licensing boards or professional organizations.
Q5. Why is it important to verify a speaker's accreditation status before hiring them for CEU events? Not all speakers can legitimately offer continuing education credits. Verification ensures that the CEUs will be recognized by your industry's licensing boards and professional organizations. Check the certificate details, confirm the speaker works with an accredited provider, and verify that the content meets your profession's specific continuing education standards to avoid offering invalid credits to attendees.
References
[1] – https://www.iacet.org/standards/ansi-iacet-2018-1-standard-for-continuing-education-and-training/continuing-education-unit-ceu/about-the-ceu/
[2] – https://headstart.gov/professional-development/article/continuing-education-unit-ceu-credit-professional-development
[3] – https://professional.uchicago.edu/resources/ceu?language_content_entity=en
[4] – https://www.ncswboard.gov/continuing-education-information/
[5] – https://myceapp.com/blog/what-are-ceus
[6] – https://continuinged.charlotte.edu/articles/continuinged/ceu/
[7] – https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/certified-adviser/continuing-education
[8] – https://www.counselinginstitute.org/news/what-is-the-difference-between-ceus-and-ces
[9] – https://www.iacet.org/events/iacet-blog/blog-articles/understanding-ceus-cmes-and-ces-a-comparative-guide/
[10] – https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/aa&r_spring2018_cehs_vs_ceus_whats_the_difference.pdf
[11] – https://ceuinstitute.net/speakers/
[12] – https://www.iacet.org/ce-t-accreditation/frequently-asked-questions/
[13] – https://www.iacet.org/ce-t-accreditation/eligibility/
[14] – https://www.iacet.org/events/iacet-blog/blog-articles/why-a-college-cant-accredit-you-or-issue-ceus-on-your-behalf/
[15] – https://www.palmer.edu/ce-speakers-and-providerships/
[16] – https://help.cebroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/24849740915220-Is-My-Course-Approved
[17] – https://www.namss.org/Education/CE-Program-Accreditation-Center
[18] – https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/licensees/ce-verify.shtml
[19] – https://accme.org/rule/cme-activity-and-attendance-records-retention/
[20] – https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/465692/MEM/MedEd Manager_ How to Increase Attendance for an Upcoming Medical Education Conference.pdf
[21] – https://trainingmag.com/why-offer-continuing-education-for-association-members/
[22] – https://www.attendeeinteractive.com/blog/designing-ce-eligible-conference-sessions/
[23] – https://www.ce-go.com/blog/effortlessly-offer-ce-credits-through-jointly-provided-activities
[24] – https://www.attendeeinteractive.com/blog/benefits-continuing-education/
[25] – https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2023/05/22/4-ways-to-leverage-continuing-education-in-your-organization/
