CEU & Licensing FAQ

Straight answers on continuing-education credits, HSW, state requirements, and how the ALA CEU Tracker keeps every license on pace.

Look up your state’s requirements

Hours, HSW, renewal cycles, and accepted course types vary by jurisdiction. NCARB’s official Licensing Requirements Tool covers all 55 U.S. jurisdictions — find and compare the rules for any state, then let your CEU Tracker keep you on pace.

What is a CEU, a CE hour, and a Learning Unit (LU)?

They all describe continuing-education credit. Architecture boards and AIA generally measure it in Learning Units (LUs), where one LU equals one contact hour of approved learning. “CEU” and “CE hour” are used loosely to mean the same thing. The important number is how many hours your state requires per renewal cycle.

What are HSW hours?

HSW stands for Health, Safety, and Welfare. Most states require that a set portion of your continuing education cover HSW topics — content that protects the public in the built environment. Courses that qualify are labeled as HSW.

How many continuing-education hours do architects need?

It depends on the state. Many require roughly 12 hours per year (often 24 per two-year cycle), with a minimum number in HSW — but the exact figure, cycle, and rules vary. Use the NCARB tool above for your jurisdiction.

Do the requirements really vary by state?

Yes. Hours, HSW minimums, renewal dates, carry-over rules, and accepted course formats all differ by jurisdiction. If you’re licensed in more than one state, you’re managing more than one set of rules — which is exactly what the CEU Tracker is built for.

How does the ALA CEU Tracker work?

It records every learning unit you earn, maps it to the requirement of each state you’re licensed in, and shows your progress toward each. Once a month it emails you a status summary so you always know where you stand. Learn more on the CEU Tracker page.

Can I track more than one state?

Yes — that’s a core feature. The tracker keeps a separate running total for each jurisdiction, so multi-state architects can see every license in one place.

When do I get reminders?

You receive a monthly email showing your current status for each license — hours earned, hours remaining, and time to your deadline.

Do ALA Classroom courses count automatically?

Yes. Anything you complete in the ALA Classroom posts to your tracker automatically, with the credit type already applied. You can also log courses you take elsewhere.

How do I prove my CE if a board asks?

The tracker stores each entry with its date, provider, credit type, and certificate, so you can export an audit-ready record on demand. Note that most states use self-reporting — you keep the records and certify your hours — so having them organized in one place matters.

Is the CEU Tracker free?

It’s included with ALA membership, along with the ALA Classroom, live webinars, and CE reporting.

Put your continuing education on autopilot

Earn credit in the ALA Classroom, track it across every state, and never miss a renewal.