In a previous post, I differentiated among L-CERPs, R-CERPs and E-CERPs, described requirements for submitting CERPs, and more. However the recent changes in the types of CERPs required for those who are recertifying by CERPs is described here. Now, in case you need to renew a license and/or a certification, let’s take a look at the differences between CERPs, contact hours, and CEUs.
What’s a CERP?
CERP is an acronym that stands for Continuing Education Recognition Point. One CERP unit is 60 minutes of professional education as determined by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE®).
Where can I use my CERPs?
If you are recertifying as an IBCLC® through continuing education, you’ll need CERPs.
Are CERPs accepted elsewhere?
CERPs absolutely must not be confused with other types of continuing education credits. A CERP is not a contact hour or a CEU or a CME or a CPE or anything else.
To the best my knowledge, CERPs do not “count” toward license renewals for those who hold a state-issued license and governed by a state Board. So, for example, if you are a registered nurse in a state that requires continuing education for a nursing license renewal, you’ll need to earn nursing credits for license renewal.
I have no idea how this works in countries other than the United States. If you’re a reader who is not US-based, please comment!
What are Contact Hours?
I’m painfully aware that many people say “CEUs” but if you’re a nurse, you’re decades behind the times. I began applying for my courses to gain credits around the late 1980s. I asked our director of professional development what I needed to do to apply for “CEUs” and at that time, she told me that I was woefully out of date.
One excellent article outlines the differences between CEUs and contact hours. Published in 2015, the most important point in this article is this:
“Both contact hours and CEUs measure the amount of time an individual participates in an organized educational experience for continuing education in a number of professions; however, they represent two completely different measurements.”
The details in that article boil down to these points, which I’ll summarize in a comparison table:
| Contact Hours | CEUs | |
| Function | Measure amount of time spent in an organized continuing education course | Measure amount of time spent in an organized continuing education course |
| Used by | Nurses (and perhaps others) | Officially recognized by many professions, but not nurses |
| Uses criteria established by | American Nurses Credentialing Center | International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training |
| Accepted as recognition for | Nurses | Other professions, (including Certified-Nurse Midwives) |
| “One” is equal to | 60 minutes (one clock hour) of an organized learning activity | 10 hours (or 600 minutes) of an educational activity |
What are the differences in CERPs and Contact Hours?
Let me try to boil down the differences between CERPs and contact hours.
| CERPs | Contact hours | |
| “Official recognition” for | IBCLCs engaging in continuing education | Nurses engaging in continuing education |
| Criteria is established by | International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners | American Nurses Credentialing Center |
| Used to | Recertify as an IBCLC | Recertify in a nursing specialty, and/or to renew a state-issued nursing license |
| Associated with a government-issued license | No | Yes |
| Acceptable for entry into practice? | Yes | No |
| Specific “disciplines” | Very stringent; only 7 disciplines/topics that are recognized | All kind of disciplines and topics are recognized. This includes topics related to professional development, business ventures, and more. |
| Variations of the unit of measure? | Yes. L-CERPs, E-CERPs, R-CERPs | No |
| Broad/narrow | Narrow | Broad |
Many IBCLCs are also nurses. That’s great! But everyone needs to understand what “counts,” what doesn’t “count” and how to get the most bang for the buck.
Can a course or program count for both CERPs and contact hours?
Maybe.
I offer many programs that carry both CERPs and contact hours. So, if you’re wanting to do a little double dipping, check out my programs.
Here’s a question I sometimes get: “Why does this learning program offer CERPs but not contact hours (for my nursing license)?” Ah, yes. Good question. It has to do with your “original” education, and your roles.
Let’s say it’s a learning program on documentation. Ethically, I could not offer contact hours for the nurse, because all nurses would have had basic instruction in documentation during their basic entry-into-practice program.
However, that learning program could carry CERPs for the IBCLC, because CERPs make no distinction between what is acceptable for the person who is qualifying for the first time, or the 5th time.
Conversely, there are learning programs for which I might offer contact hours, but not CERPs. For example, I could offer a course on how to revise your résumé and get a new job, and that would qualify for contact hours, but not CERPs. (That topic is not on the Detailed Content Outline, and therefore would not count. According to IBLCE, “Education eligible for CERPs must cover subjects found on the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline.”)
Another example pertains to roles and scope or practice. Something might not qualify for CERPs if it pertained to something that is within the nurse’s scope of practice, but not within the IBCLC’s scope of practice.
For example, if I offered a learning program on how to start an IV infusion, that would qualify for contact hours because the content is within the nurse’s scope of practice. But it would not qualify for CERPs because it’s outside of the IBCLC’s scope of practice.
In short, it’s important that you know what you actually need to earn and what counts for that unit requirement.
What other questions do you have about recognition for continuing education and renewal of your certification and/or license? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks so much for this article!!teaching an old dog new tricks.
I’m so glad it helped! (I actually had to do a fair amount of thinking to make those comparisons, but it is important.) We are also running some free webinars to help people with this whole new thing on re-certification rules, so please, DO join us if that will help you!
Hello,
I am currently just an RN. I will need 400 hours to renew my RN license in Oregon. I am currently a stay at home mom and would like to start my clinical hours as a Lactarion consultant. Are my 500 lactation clinical hours eligible to count towards my 400 hours required to renew my RN license? I contacted the OSBN with this question, however they did not answer- they simply told me to read the NPA division 45 which simply outlines the Nursing scope of practice. Thank you!
Hi Lanie. Thank you for the question. But I’m at a loss as to how to help you. I understand RN license renewal, but unsure what “hours” mean in Oregon. Are they asking for clinical hours, or continuing education hours, or both? That would make a difference. Please do reach out via email to info@mariebiancuzzo.com.
Am I correct in thinking that 1 CERP is equal to one hour in regards to the 90 hours required for certification? I am trying to decide if I should take a program at a collage or take the classes separately on my own. Any advise is appreciated. Than kyou.
Hi Lisa, thanks for reading. If you’re looking to recertify, you may find this blog helpful. But if you’re just starting out on your journey to IBCLC, check out these resources. I’d also encourage you to email us at info@mariebiancuzzo.com for assistance with your specific situation! Include your phone number if you’d like someone to call and assist.
As a Critical care nurse, who does CCRN certification I referenced our guidelines. “When it comes to calculating your CERPs, it is relatively straightforward: 1 hour of education time equates 1 CERP, just like 1 hour of service or hands-on contact time equals 1 CERP. If you take an academic course, 1 credit is worth 15 CERPs. So, if you take a 3-credit course in something, you would get 45 CERPs.” And this is from https://www.ccrnacademy.com So actually it does count towards my state nursing license. In fact, under Ohio law, 1 college credit is equal to 10 CEs. Furthermore the OBN allows for 1CE to be awarded for every 60minutes of volunteered nursing time towards indigent care, up to 8CE. So essentially each CE is 60minutes of education or time. Therefore CERP and CE are interchangeable.
There’s a big issue here. CERPs and contact hours are not interchangeable. I agree, the way in which the recognition is calculated is the same. It’s basically a 1:1. That is, one hour of instruction counts for one credit. But they are NOT interchangeable in the sense that an organization that recognizes CERPs doesn’t necessarily recognize contact hours, and organizations that accept contact hours don’t necessarily recognize CERPs. Hence, you may have earned the hours, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be recognized for doing so.