CEUs and Professional Development: What’s the Difference?
If you work in early childhood education, you’ve probably run into a variety of professional learning terms—certificates, CEUs, and professional development (PD) hours. While they’re all ways to document your growth as an educator, they aren’t interchangeable. Understanding how each works helps you remain compliant with state regulations, meet credentialing goals, and choose professional development that best supports your career.
Certificates of Attendance
A certificate of attendance is the most common form of documentation for professional development. After completing a training, workshop, or webinar, you typically receive a certificate verifying that you attended and completed the session.
What it shows: That you participated in the training and completed the required time.
Who issues it: Training providers such as Early Childhood Investigations Webinars (ECI) and other approved organizations.
How it’s used: Certificates are often accepted by state workforce registries, licensing agencies, or employers as proof of professional development participation.
Think of your certificate as a receipt—it’s your record of participation. Keeping these organized ensures you can verify your hours for licensing, renewals, or credential applications when needed.
Professional Development (PD) Hours
Professional Development (PD) hours, sometimes referred to as training hours or clock hours, measure the amount of time you’ve spent engaged in professional learning.
1 PD hour = 60 minutes of training.
How they’re tracked: Each state determines its own PD-hour requirements. For example, New York requires most licensed child care providers to complete 30 hours of professional development every two years in specific topic areas, according to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) guidelines.
Where certificates fit in: Certificates of attendance often specify the number of Professional Development hours earned during a session, which can then be submitted to a registry or licensing system.
PD hours are the most widely used measure of early childhood training and are recognized in nearly every state.
💡 Tip: View your state’s Professional Development Requirements
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) represent a more formal and standardized measurement of continuing education. They are designed to ensure consistency, quality, and transferability of training credit across agencies and fields.
Definition: According to the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1 CEU equals 10 contact hours of instruction in an organized, quality-assured continuing education program, provided under qualified instruction and oversight.
Who uses them: CEUs are often required by credentialing organizations or higher education programs for renewing certifications, maintaining membership in professional organizations, or transferring learning to college credit.
Why they matter: CEUs signify that a training meets rigorous educational standards approved by an accrediting body, such as IACET or an authorized university. The Head Start Professional Development Office explains that CEUs provide officially recognized, quality-assured records of noncredit education that can often be converted into PD hours depending on state or program guidelines.
CEUs vs. PD Hours
Measurement | Definition | Conversion | Accreditation | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PD Hours | Time spent in training sessions | 1 PD Hour = 60 minutes | Usually not accredited | Required for licensing, workforce registries |
CEUs | Standardized continuing education unit | 1 CEU = 10 PD hours | Requires an accredited provider (e.g., IACET or university partner) | Credentialing, academic credit, formal recognition |
Why This Distinction Matters for Educators
Knowing the differences helps you invest your professional learning time effectively:
If your state licensing agency requires annual training, you’ll need certificates showing the total PD hours earned.
If you’re renewing a CDA® or a state-recognized professional credential, CEUs may be required.
If you’re preparing a professional portfolio, combining certificates, PD hours, and CEUs creates a holistic record of your growth.
How Early Childhood Investigations Webinars Helps
At Early Childhood Investigations Webinars, every webinar provides a certificate of attendance that lists the training title, presenter, and number of professional development hours earned. These certificates are recognized by many state registries and employers.
Always check your state’s registry or licensing agency to confirm how ECI certificates apply to your professional requirements.
Key Takeaways
Certificates = Proof of attendance for professional development activities.
Professional Development Hours = The amount of time you spend learning, typically required for licensing.
CEUs = Standardized, accredited units that often apply toward credentials or higher education.
No matter which route you pursue, continuous professional development helps you strengthen your practice and enrich the experiences of the children and families you serve.
👉 Ready to start earning certificates and PD hours? Explore free upcoming webinars at Early Childhood Investigations Webinars.
