A CEU or continuing education unit is basically a measure that is utilized by continuing education programs that enables a professional such as a doctor, engineer, nurse, insurance professionals, real estate agents, mental health professionals, social workers, psychologists, etc. to retain his/her license in their particular profession. The CEU is described as having participated for 10 hours in a particular education program.
The regulations for continuing education have been established by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. As a counselor or therapist, when you apply for the renewal of your certificate or license, you must certify to the Board that you have completed the necessary continuing education activities that are required by the Board in the theory and practice of counseling therapy and you must also provide the documented proof of the completion of these activities.
Requirements for Maryland Counseling CEUs
In Maryland, the CE (continuing education) requirements for professional counselors are:
- In every 2 years, you must earn at least 40 CE hours.
- A minimum of 30 of the CE hours must be earned in activities belonging to Category A (a workshop, course, symposium or seminar; or author, review or edit a juried publication) and you should not have more than 10 CE hours in activities belonging to Category B (i.e. presenting or attending informal courses, invited speaker sessions, in-house colloquia or seminars, case conferences pertaining to teaching, training, individualized learning and online distance learning courses).
Scope of Maryland Counseling CEUs
- Maintaining professional competence in therapy and counseling.
- Improving knowledge and professional skills in therapy and counseling.
- Preparing for new responsibilities or roles in therapy and counseling.
- Assuring the completion of CE requirements before the certificate or license renewal.
- Expansion of the theory, practice or method of therapy and counseling.