Members of many professional organizations are required to earn some form of continuing education units or credits to demonstrate currency of knowledge and skills, and to maintain their professional standing. The SOURCE supports this nationally recognized measurement of accomplishment by providing attendees to its seminars and workshops, which are pre-certified educational opportunities, the ability to obtain such recognition. The Goals of the SOURCE's continuing education programs are to provide:

• continuing education opportunities for all who may benefit from them in subject matter relating to lighting and the luminance environment.
• the participants with tangible evidence of their satisfactory completion of a continuing education activity.
• enhancement of the general image of Cooper Lighting as an enterprise that fosters and supports the continued technical and professional growth of the lighting industry and related disciplines with emphasis on professional competence of lighting practitioners.
• a stimulating atmosphere encouraging continuing education and learning experience.

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU), or its equivalent Learning Unit (LU); Lighting Education Unit (LEU); Continuing Learning Credit (CLC); Professional Development Hours (PDH) are utilized as the measurement for participation in non-credit continuing education programs. One CEU is defined as ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized, continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction, whereas an AIA-LU is defined as one (1) hour of instruction in such a program. Fractions of credits, down to a minimum of 0.25 units, may be earned in increments of 0.25 units. Other units or credits supported by various professional organizations equate the contact hours to units or credits earned in a variety of ways. It is recommended that the individual participant check with his or her professional organization to understand the basis upon which units or credits are earned as well as the organizations reporting requirements and procedures. The SOURCE will assist whenever possible in this determination.

AIA/CES (American Institute of Architects) through its Continuing Education Systems provides professional development opportunities to its members. CES was developed by the AIA to record professional learning as a mandatory requirement for architectural membership. It enables the architect to keep current, master new knowledge and skills and demonstrate professional responsibility. AIA members must complete 18 Learning Unit (LU) hours (8 in health, safety and welfare related topics) for annual membership renewal.) The SOURCE is an approved "Passport Provider" of educational programs and is required to file the necessary paperwork with AIA/CES on your behalf.

NCQLP (National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions) - Anyone who has the LC (Lighting Certified) designation must earn 36 Lighting Education Units (LEUs) each three-year cycle for recertification. It is the responsibility of each participant to keep a record of his/her involvement in these programs and to self-declare LEUs to NCQLP at the end of the three-year period Professional Engineers are currently required in twenty-five states to acquire professional development hours (PHDs or CEUs) for renewing a professional engineering license. Other states, which currently do not have such a requirement, are considering the addition of this requirement to the renewal process. Professional engineers should contact the appropriate State Board of Professional Licensing to obtain the latest requirements. As a commercial education center the SOURCE is considered by most states to be a provider of continuing education opportunities. The State of Florida Board of Professional Engineers has approved the SOURCE as a provider under No. CEP00107. You should always verify the provider's status with your own state board. The SOURCE furnishes each seminar participant with a Certificate of Completion and will assist in the CEU process.

The following is an overview of and guidelines for organizations which the SOURCE currently offer continuing education support. This list is subject to change by the individual organizations, we therefore suggest that you check to insure the information is current and accurate.

2004 SOURCE IEU/LEU accreditation brochure

AIA American Institute of Architects
Type of Credit Needed: Learning Unit (LU)
Number of Credits Needed to remain certified: 18
8 of the 18 must be in Health, Safety and Welfare Related Subjects.
Time Period for Re-Certification: 1 year
1 LU for each 60 minutes, beyond 60 minutes = 1/4 hr increments

ALA American Lighting Association
Type of Credit Needed: Continuing Learning Credit (CLC)
Number of Credits needed to remain certified: 6
Time Period for Re-certification: 2 years
Courses are evaluated and hours are determined by ALA
1 contact hr = 1 CLC

NCQLP National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions
Type of Credit Needed: Learning Unit (LEU)
Number of Credits Needed to remain certified: 36 LEU credits
(alternately an LC can earn 18 LEU credits and verify 25 yrs of industry experience)
Time Period for Re-Certification: 3 years
1 LEU for every 50-60 minute contact hour. (instructional hour)

IDCEC Interior Design Continuing Education Council (CEU)

• ASID American Society of Interior Designers
  Type of Credit Needed: CEU
  Number of Credits Needed to remain certified: 0-20 hours per 2 years -- varies by state
  Time Period for Re-Certification: 2 yrs
• IDC Interior Designers of Canada
  Type of Credit Needed: CEU
  Number of Credits Recommended to remain certified: 5 hours per 1 year-varies by province
  Time Period for Re-Certification: 1 yr
• IDEC Interior Design Educators Council
  No requirements
• IIDA International Interior Design Association
  Type of Credit Needed: CEU
  Number of Credits Needed to remain certified: 20 hours per 2 years - varies by state
  Time Period for Re-Certification: 2 yrs
• NKBA National Kitchen and Bath Association
  Type of Credit Needed: CEU
  Number of Credits Needed to remain certified: 5 hours
  Time Period for Re-Certification: 1 yr

ASLA American Society of Landscape Architects
Type of Credit Needed: PDH (Professional Development hours) or CEUs
Number of Credits Needed to remain certified: varies by state
1 contact hr = 1 PDH (10 contact hrs = 1 CEU)

Florida Board of Professional Engineers
Members are required to self register courses
Type of Credit Needed: PDH (Professional Development hours) or CEU
Number of Credits Needed to remain certified: 8 PDH
(4 in the area of practice; 4 in the area of laws & rules)
Time Period for Re-Certification: 2 yrs.
(by 2/28 of second year; see http://www.fbpe.org/ refer to rule 61G15-22))
1 contact hr = 1 PDH (10 contact hrs = 1 CEU)

Association of Energy Engineers
Does not support CEU providers
Members take courses and self report to individual states on honor system
(see Florida Board of Professional Engineers as an example)
Number of Credits Needed to remain certified: varies by state
(approx 8 hrs per 3 year period)