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Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

CEU FAQs

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU), also known as Continuing Education Credit (CEC), is a measure used in continuing education programs to assist professionals to maintain their license in their professions.

Clock hours are for educators in the State of Washington who want to earn continuing education. They can use them for salary advancement or to renew their teaching certificate. If you are in doubt as to what kind you have, you should contact your Certification Specialist at your ESD or talk to your School District's Human Resources Department for information.

NWAIS is an official in-service administrator of clock hours for Washington State through OSPI. Check the specific event to determine if clock hours are available. There is no cost to receive clock hours.

To receive Clock Hours attendees must:
  • Opt-in for clock hours prior to the event or onsite at registration (for in-person events) or sign into a session form (for online events).
  • Obtain the appropriate clock hours form and keep it in your records to use when you recertify. We do not require a copy of this form from you.
  • If these requirements are not met, participants are no longer eligible for clock hours for the respective NWAIS event.

Unfortunately, NWAIS is not eligible for a partnership with PDEnroller, which adds credits straight into OSPI. We can only provide you the clock hours forms for you to keep in your records until you recertify. At that time, you can enter all of your clock hours through the OSPI portal.

STARS Credits are offered through MERIT, the professional development system of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).

The purpose of Washington STARS (State Training and Registry System) is to ensure quality care for all children through increased opportunities for basic and ongoing training for childcare and early education and school age providers.

STARS Credits will be available to those who work in early learning programs overseen by DCYF at certain NWAIS programs. Check the specific event to determine if STARS Credits are available. There is no cost to receive STARS credits.

To receive STARS Credits, you must sign in for the exact sessions you attended during the event. You should receive a follow up email after the event you attended with a link to a sign in form. You must complete your session sign-in within 1 week of the event.

If these requirements are not met, participants are no longer eligible for STARS Credits for the respective event.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer equity credits. Currently, those credits can only be offered by a very small number of providers that are outlined within the WAC statute.



Still have questions?

Contact NWAIS at (206)323-6137 or email Vivian Hoang for more information!