Learning is a lifelong process, and many professions require you to continue learning after completing your formal education. That’s where continuing education comes into play. What are CEU credits good for in your professional life? Let’s dive in and explore why you might need continuing education credits.

What Is Continuing Education?

To have the most updated knowledge in their industries, professionals must pursue continuing education. Professionals in dynamic fields often need continuing education courses. Jobs that require a license, such as teaching, accounting, law, insurance, etc., will usually require continuing education as well.

How To Choose a Continuing Education Course

The type of continuing education course you take will depend on the needs of your profession. When choosing a type of continuing education course, you have to consider several factors. You’ll need to look at the course’s length and topic and your industry’s requirements.

Length

Consider how many hours of continuing education you need. Look into what your needs are, and choose accordingly. Shorter courses are suitable for filling in gaps, while longer courses are good for more new information.

Topic

Depending on your industry and the state you live in, the topic of the continuing education course is important to consider. There might be a particular focus you’re required to study. You should also consider how you want to expand your knowledge and your professional goals.

Industry

As mentioned above, you might be required to take a continuing education course in specific subjects, depending on your industry. Take that into consideration when choosing a course. Another consideration is any specialty you might have within your industry.

Industries That Require CE Credits

There is a wide variety of industries that require CE credits. Check out the list to see if your chosen profession is included.

Teachers

Not all schools require certified and licensed teachers to teach, but some consider it a point of pride only to hire authorized teachers. The US Department of Education encourages teachers to participate in continuing education courses to keep the necessary certification.

Accountants

Continuing education as an accountant gives the accounting profession a uniform approach. The CPA licensure exam is only the beginning of education for an accountant. Most states require accountants to participate in continuing education courses throughout their careers.

Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents work in a field that needs to be the same across the board. Agents need to keep up with their continuing education to keep their license when there are changes in their profession.

Dental Professionals

Health care is one of the biggest industries that need continuing education credits, and dental professionals are part of that. Dentists and dental hygienists are required to keep up with their continuing education courses and keep up to date with the industry.

Insurance Agents

Insurance is a dynamic industry that can change yearly. To keep up with the changes, insurance agents are often also required to participate in continuing education courses to renew their licenses.

Lawyers

The American Bar Association has a rule about continuing legal education. There are many accredited activities, such as teaching, online education, writing publications, and more. This continuing legal education is required if you want to keep your law license.

Engineers

Technology is constantly changing, and engineering has to change with it. Depending on state requirements and your specific branch of engineering, there’s a good chance that you’ll have to keep up with continuing education mandates to update and renew your license.

Physicians

The majority of physicians are required to keep up with continuing medical education. Doctors need to stay competitive in an ever-changing industry, and continuing education helps to do that.

Nurses

Along with physicians, nurses must constantly update their industry knowledge. Most states require continuing education every couple of years for nurses.

Psychologists

Psychology has been experiencing a demand increase in the past few years. Similar to other health professionals, psychologists should be continually learning. Continuing education is necessary for psychologists to be able to provide competent care.

Architects

Continuing education is required for architects to keep their licenses. If you practice in multiple states, that can open up more needs for continuing education.

Benefits of Continuing Education

You can easily spend your whole life learning, and there are plenty of reasons why you should take advantage of your continuing education opportunities. Even if you’re doing it for your job, you might learn something new that will benefit your everyday life. By taking advantage of continuing education opportunities, you can increase your chances of promotion, increase your income, propel career development, build confidence in your knowledge and skills, and open more professional opportunities.

Increase Opportunity For Promotion

The more you know, the more opportunities you have to grow. Continuing education can increase your chances of promotions in your job. When you stay on top of your continuing education needs, your supervisors see that you are motivated and driven to do what needs to be done. This could mean that they consider you for other opportunities and promotions.

Helps Increase Your Income

Along with possible promotions, your income can increase when you continue your education. Continuing education keeps you up to date with your certifications and licenses. Having current certifications can help you get a raise and increase your income.

Propels Career Development

With continuing education, you can also propel your career development forward. You’ll be up to date with the latest information and skills in your field. With this knowledge, you can go further in your career and achieve more. Knowing the latest trends and procedures can propel your career development regardless of your industry.

Build Confidence In Skills and Knowledge

When you are up to date on the latest skills and knowledge in your industry, you have more confidence in yourself and your abilities. You feel more able to tackle whatever challenges come your way in your job and better equipped to help others when needed. In many cases, with more confidence comes better working opportunities.

Can Open More Job and Professional Opportunities

All of the above can help open more job and professional opportunities. Keep up with your needed continuing education courses, and maybe even more than what’s required, and see what a difference it can make for you and your career. When people in a decision-making position see your enthusiasm and dedication, they can help you go places.

How To Succeed in Continuing Education

If you want to succeed in continuing education, we have a few tips for you. Success in continuing education looks similar to success in traditional education. Manage your time well, set aside distractions and give yourself time to study, use your resources and network to your advantage, and take notes. Once you have good study habits in place, there’s no limit to your success.

Manage Your Time

One of the best ways to manage your time wisely is to have a routine. Your routine should give you enough time to adequately commit to the course and study. The recommended time is to allow for two to three hours per credit hour of enrollment. With this standard, prepare to spend six to nine hours each week studying if you enroll in a three-credit course. Even if you’re taking the class from home, you’re responsible for completing the course and the required work.

Set Aside Distractions For Studying

It can be helpful to have a dedicated study space. This dedicated space should be free of distractions and excess noise. Libraries are usually good for this, especially if you can reserve a designated study room. If the library isn’t an option, set up a dedicated space at home. This can be a home office, a bedroom, or just a desk. Get into the mindset of preparing to study when you use this space.

Use Your Resources and Network

Most educational opportunities will have resources available to you. These resources are provided to help you, so don’t miss out! Your network can also be helpful when you need to pursue a continuing education course. See if anyone in your network has connections to a good program or can tutor you if needed.

Take Notes

One of the most crucial studying tips is to take notes. Chances are, you won’t remember everything you need to know. Even if you think you’ll remember everything, write it down anyway. Take notes in a way that will help you study, and take notes often. They will be invaluable when it comes time to study for an exam or test.

Where To Start?

So, what now? It’s time to find a continuing education course that works for you! An excellent place to start is with CE Zoom’s offered courses. We also have ways for you to track your progress and the continuing education credits that you still need. Check us out and see what we can do for you!