Guide to Continuing Education (CE) Credits
Continuing education (CE) opens the door to endless learning opportunities, empowering professionals to expand their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and stay at the forefront of their fields.
By engaging in CE, individuals not only meet the requirements of their professions but also set themselves apart as lifelong learners committed to excellence.
Many disciplines have specific CE requirements to ensure professionals remain aligned with evolving standards, innovative technologies, and best practices. However, it is not something typically taught during our schooling. Below is an overview of continuing education in various professional domains, including a breakdown of each type and how to maximize its usefulness while meeting requirements.
How Do I Get CE Credits?
Shifting from the broader definitions, we’ll now hone in on how you can meet your profession’s CE requirements.
From immersive in-person conferences to on-demand online courses, there are a variety of resources at our fingertips. Whether through hands-on workshops, virtual webinars, or self-paced journal-based programs, the options are diverse, accessible, and designed to fit seamlessly into our busy lives.
Taking charge of your professional development through CE is not just about fulfilling a requirement—it's an investment in your expertise, confidence, and the quality of care you provide.
Examples of how you can obtain CE credits:
Conferences
Attending conferences is a powerful way to fuel your professional growth and stay ahead in your field. These events offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest research, cutting-edge clinical practices, and groundbreaking innovations.
By engaging with thought leaders, you gain insights that can directly enhance your patient care and expand your expertise. Beyond learning, conferences are a chance to network with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and build a community of support.
Check that the conference you are attending is accredited and offers CE credit for your profession. Those that are jointly accredited are most likely to award you the credits you need!
Online Webinars
Online webinars are a game-changer for your professional development, providing the flexibility to learn from anywhere at your own pace.
Whether you're exploring new treatment protocols, diving into emerging technologies, or mastering patient management strategies, webinars bring you expert-led education directly to your screen. With the bonus of CE credits, these sessions allow you to expand your knowledge while meeting essential educational requirements.
The interactive elements—like Q&A sessions and case-based learning—empower you to engage deeply with the material, refining your skills and staying at the forefront of your practice.
Publishing articles
Publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals is not just an opportunity to share your expertise—it’s a chance to shape the future of your field. By contributing original research, reviews, or case studies, you deepen your understanding of critical topics while making meaningful contributions to the medical community.
Some organizations like the AMA offer CE for being the first author in a peer-reviewed journal.
Poster presentations
Sharing a poster is a powerful way to share your work and make an impact in your field. It’s a powerful way to showcase your research, clinical innovations, or patient care strategies, gaining valuable feedback and fostering connections with peers.
Many conferences offer CE credits for poster presentations, making it a fulfilling and impactful way to contribute to your ongoing education and career growth.
Teaching
Teaching is one of the most rewarding ways to continue your own learning and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Whether through formal lectures, seminars, or one-on-one mentorship, teaching allows you to refine your communication skills while fostering a culture of excellence in your institution. Plus, many institutions offer CME credits for teaching activities, helping you meet your educational goals while empowering the careers of others.
Medically related advanced degrees
Pursuing an advanced degree is a transformative way to elevate your career and expand your impact on healthcare. Depending on your field, obtaining a medically-related masters or doctoral-level degree, such as a Masters in Public Health can earn you CE credit.
Board certification or maintenance of certification (MOC): Achieving and maintaining board certification is a powerful testament to your commitment to excellence and continuous learning.
The MOC process challenges you to assess your knowledge, performance, and clinical outcomes regularly, ensuring you stay aligned with the latest medical advancements making this an opportunity to earn CE.
Podcasts
Engaging with podcasts is an empowering way to learn on the go, tapping into a wealth of knowledge from industry leaders, innovators, and experts.
Whether you’re listening during your commute, workout, or downtime, podcasts offer you the flexibility to stay informed about the latest trends, research, and patient care strategies. Many medical podcasts offer CE credits, making them a convenient and effective way to continue your education while managing your busy schedule.
Podcasts provide a dynamic, accessible platform for learning and growth, allowing you to stay ahead of the curve in your field.
Summary
Here is a table detailing common continuing education (CE) credit types, the professions they apply to, and their accrediting bodies:
| Profession | CE Credit Type | Accrediting Body |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians | CME (AMA PRA Category 1) | Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), American Medical Association (AMA) |
| Physician Assistants (PAs) | CME (AMA PRA Category 1*), AAPA CME | AMA, American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) |
| Nurse Practitioners (NPs) | CME (AMA PRA Category 1) and CNE (Continuing Nursing Education) | American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) Accreditation Program |
| Nurses | CNE (Continuing Nursing Education) | American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) Accreditation Program |
| Pharmacists | CPE (Continuing Pharmacy Education) | Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) |
| Dietitians | CPEU (Continuing Professional Education Units) | Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) |
| Physical Therapists | CEU (Continuing Education Units) | Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), State Licensing Boards |
| Occupational Therapists | CEU (Continuing Education Units) | American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), State Licensing Boards |
| Optometrists | CE (Continuing Education) | Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) COPE (Council on Optometric Practitioner Education) |
| Dentists | CE (Continuing Education) | American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) |
| Psychologists | CE (Continuing Education) | American Psychological Association (APA) |
| Social Workers | CE (Continuing Education) | Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), National Association of Social Workers (NASW) |
| Veterinarians | CE (Continuing Education) | American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) |
**for Pharmacology specifically
Earn CE with Learn at Pinnacle
With Learn at Pinnacle, there are a variety of ways you can earn CE credits.
Pinnacle Conference
The Pinnacle Conference is designed to empower women in healthcare by providing valuable continuing education (CE) credits while focusing on key strategies for leadership, resilience, and effective communication in the workplace.
With sessions tailored to the unique challenges faced by women in healthcare, attendees will gain practical skills for navigating professional obstacles, enhancing their personal and career development, and fostering a supportive community of like-minded professionals.
The goal is to equip women with the tools and confidence to thrive in their roles, elevate their impact, and create positive change within healthcare settings. You can get 10 credits from this conference.
Pinnacle CE Membership
The live and recorded activities available in our CE Membership provide an enriching, interactive opportunity for healthcare professionals to advance their skills and knowledge in real-time.
These activities feature expert speakers, thought-provoking discussions, and practical takeaways that can be immediately applied to the workplace. Earn between 0.5 and 2 credits for attending depending on how time-intensive it is. If you can’t make it to a live event don’t worry- the replay option is also available for CE!
Pinnacle Prescription Podcast
The Pinnacle Prescription Podcast provides women in healthcare dynamic and flexible opportunities to earn CE.
Our goal is to empower women through education, community, and actionable strategies for both the practice and business of medicine. Listen to honest and transparent conversations with thought leaders in healthcare who will motivate and inspire you in your professional and personal journey.
Afterwards, fill out a short survey on our CE Membership platform and you can receive your credit.
Reflect on the Go
The "Reflect in the Go" feature offers a convenient and enriching way to earn CE credits by reflecting on any educational activity, whether it's a Pinnacle live event, podcast, or an entirely different learning experience.
This option allows you to engage with the material at your own pace, giving you the chance to thoughtfully consider how it applies to your personal and professional development.
Each submission is worth 0.5 CE credits. With an unlimited number of submissions, the opportunities are truly endless.
What Doesn’t Qualify As CE?
Routine Clinical Practice:
Day-to-day patient care, including diagnosing, treating, and managing medical conditions, does not qualify for CE, as it is part of the regular responsibilities of a healthcare provider.
Self-Directed Reading:
Reading medical books, journals, or articles without an associated CE program, test, or evaluation component does not count unless the reading is part of a structured, accredited CE program. However, with Pinnacle’s Reflect on the Go feature, you can receive 0.5 credits for each reflection, with no limits!
Administrative Task:
Tasks like committee work, administrative duties, or other non-clinical responsibilities (e.g., reviewing hospital policies, and overseeing staff) do not count as CME, even if they are related to medical practice.
Informal Discussions or Meetings:
Casual, unstructured discussions with colleagues, patients, or staff members, such as informal case reviews or meetings, do not meet the formal requirements for CME.
Non-Educational Webinars or Videos:
Watching webinars, podcasts, or videos that do not have clear educational objectives and assessments makes it unlikely you are able to get CE. Check any webinars or videos you are watching are from an organisation with accreditation that counts towards CE credits.
Administrative Activities:
Marketing or Sales Presentations: Attendance at industry-sponsored marketing or sales presentations, such as promotional events hosted by pharmaceutical companies, does not qualify as CME unless the content is directly related to an educational purpose and is accredited.
Peer or Mentorship Activities:
While mentorship and peer review are crucial for professional growth, informal or unstructured mentorship relationships do not qualify for CME credits unless part of a formal, accredited program with measurable learning outcomes.
Personal Development or Soft Skills Training:
Workshops focusing on personal development topics such as time management, stress reduction, or communication skills (unless directly related to medical practice and accredited) do not qualify as CME.
Non-Accredited Conferences or Seminars:
Attending conferences, seminars, or lectures that are not accredited by an approved CME provider does not count toward CME credits.
Volunteer Work or Humanitarian Service:
While volunteer activities, including medical mission trips, are commendable, they are generally not eligible for CME credits unless they are part of a structured, accredited program with learning components.
Professional Networking Events:
Networking events, whether medical or non-medical in nature, that focus on building professional relationships rather than structured learning and education, do not qualify as CME.
Non-Accredited Online Courses:
While online learning is a popular way to earn CME, not all online courses are accredited. Only those that are formally approved by a CME provider meet the criteria for credit.
Definitions
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME is critical for healthcare providers such as physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) to enhance their knowledge and skills. It is categorized into two types:
Category 1 CME Credits: These are formal activities approved by accredited organizations, such as attending conferences, workshops, journal clubs, tumor boards, or online modules.
Category 2 CME Credits: These are self-directed learning activities, like reading medical journals or engaging in case discussions, and do not require pre-approval but must be documented to receive credit.
Most specialty medical boards have some annual CME credit requirement in order to maintain board certification for physicians. Individual states also have expectations for continued licensure. Annual CME requirements are typically determined by the medical specialty board in your specific state.
The general overview is as follows:
Credit Hours/Units: Most physicians and healthcare providers are required to complete 20–50 CME credits per renewal cycle, typically every 1–3 years.
Key Topics: CME often focuses on clinical updates, patient safety, ethics, evidence-based practices, disease prevention, and emerging medical advancements. Specialty boards may mandate specific topics, such as opioid management or cultural competency.
Approved Providers: Courses must be accredited by recognized organizations, such as the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or specialty-specific boards.
Tracking and Documentation: Physicians and providers must log CME credits, retain certificates, and provide proof of completion during audits, licensing, or board certification renewals.
Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
CNE is aimed at nurses who wish to maintain their licenses and provide high-quality patient care. Activities may include workshops, webinars, or certifications, typically approved by accrediting bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) is your opportunity to grow, stay current, and deliver the best care. Requirements vary depending on your location, type of nursing license, and the regulations of the nursing board in your jurisdiction, but here is a general overview in the United States (U.S.):
Credit Hours: Most states require 20–30 hours every renewal period (often 2 years).
Key Topics: Common focuses include ethics, pain management, HIV/AIDs or infectious disease prevention, human trafficking awareness, cultural competency, and substance abuse. Many states require courses in specific areas such as these.
Approved Providers: Choose accredited courses from organizations like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or state boards.
Tracking and Documentation: Nurses are usually required to maintain records of completed CNE for a specific period (e.g., 3-6 years) and to provide certificates or proof of completion during licence renewal.
Requirements outside the U.S. vary:
Canada: Varies by province; some provinces like Ontario require participation in a quality assurance program but do not mandate specific CNE/CPD hours.
Australia: Requires 20 hours of CNE/CPD annually.
UK: Nurses must meet revalidation requirements, including 35 hours of CNE/CPD (see below) every 3 years.
Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs)
CPEUs are often used interchangeably with Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or simply Continuing Education (CE). They also apply to various fields, such as medicine, accounting, education, and engineering.
CPEUs are designed to meet specific regulatory or professional body requirements for license renewal or certification.
Example: Accountants or pharmacists completing CPEU credits to stay licensed.
CPEUs encompass continuing medical education (CME), continuing nursing education (CNE), and continuing pharmacy education (CPE), which are discussed below. Of note, CPEU is often used interchangeably with CPD in non-healthcare fields.
Credit Hours/Units: Most professions require 15–40 CPEUs per renewal cycle, typically every 1–3 years.
Key Topics: CPEU often focuses on ethics, leadership, industry regulations, technical skills, and emerging trends. Some fields mandate specific topics, such as cybersecurity, safety, or diversity and inclusion.
Approved Providers: Courses must be completed through accredited organizations, professional associations, or certifying bodies relevant to your field.
Tracking and Documentation: Professionals must log CPEU activities, retain records, and provide certificates or proof of completion for audits or license renewals.
Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE)
Pharmacists participate in CPE to stay current with drug therapies, clinical guidelines, and patient care strategies. CPE credits are often categorized by content area, such as patient safety or disease management, and are provided by organizations accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) is your opportunity to grow, stay informed, and provide exceptional patient care. Again, requirements vary depending on your location and the regulations of your licensing board, but here’s a general overview in the United States (U.S.):
Credit Hours: Most states require 15–30 hours of CPE per renewal period (typically 1–2 years).
Key Topics: Common focuses include medication safety, pharmacy law, immunizations, opioid stewardship, and emerging therapies. Many states require courses in specific areas like these.
Approved Providers: Select accredited courses from organizations such as the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or state boards of pharmacy.
Tracking and Documentation: Pharmacists must maintain records of completed CPE for a specified period (e.g., 3–6 years) and provide proof during license renewal or audits.
Requirements outside the U.S. vary:
Canada: Varies by province; many provinces require pharmacists to participate in CPD programs.
Australia: Requires 40 CPD credits annually, based on learning activities.
UK: Pharmacists must complete 9 CPD entries every year as part of their revalidation requirements.
Continuing Dietician Education (CDE)
Dietitians maintain their Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentials by earning Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs). These can be obtained through activities like attending seminars, completing online courses, or authoring articles. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) oversees these requirements.
Continuing Dietitian Education via CPEUs is your opportunity to grow, stay current, and deliver impactful nutrition care. Requirements vary based on your location, credential, and regulatory body, but here’s a general overview:
Credit Hours: Most states and certifying bodies require 15–30 hours of CPEUs every 1–2 years.
Key Topics: Common focuses include clinical nutrition, ethics, cultural competency, public health, disease prevention, and emerging nutrition trends. Some areas require specific courses, such as food safety or obesity management.
Approved Providers: Choose courses accredited by organizations like the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), state licensing boards, or recognized nutrition education providers.
Tracking and Documentation: Dietitians must maintain records of completed CE activities and provide proof during license renewals or audits.
Requirements outside the U.S. vary:
Canada: Requirements differ by province, often including mandatory professional development and self-assessment tools.
Australia: Requires 30 hours of CPD annually, aligned with Dietitians Australia’s standards.
UK: Dietitians must meet revalidation standards, which include CPD activities and reflective practice as part of professional development.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
CPD is a broader concept encompassing ongoing learning for professionals in fields such as law, education, and business. CPD is aimed at ongoing career growth, personal development, and professional excellence, not just compliance.
In healthcare, CPD is usually used in the UK, whereas in the US the terms CE or CME are more likely to be used.
Examples of CPD: Attending workshops, engaging in mentoring, reading journals, or reflecting on work experiences.
Hours or Credits: Many professions require 15–40 CPD hours annually or over a multi-year cycle, depending on regulations.
Key Areas: CPD often includes technical skills, leadership, ethics, innovation, and industry-specific updates. Some fields mandate training in areas like diversity, safety, or emerging technologies.
Approved Activities: CPD can include accredited courses, workshops, conferences, self-directed learning, or on-the-job training.
Tracking and Documentation: Professionals are typically required to log activities, maintain records, and provide evidence of CPD completion for audits or license renewals.
Requirements differ globally:
Canada: CPD varies by profession; many professions require self-assessment and goal setting.
Australia: Most professions require 20–40 CPD hours annually.
UK: CPD requirements depend on the profession, with mandatory documentation and reflection.
