Continuing Education CreditsVs.

Re- Testing

• There has been much debate concerning Continuing Education Credits or Units (CEUs) versus re-certification by examination as a measure of competency of professionals in infection prevention.

• The value of the certification has never been in question.

• However the path to achieving re-certification has been highly debated.

Reasons given by a number of infection preventionists for why they find CEUs appealing are:– Convenience– Saves time– Lower cost– Preparation not required– Ease of use

Let’s examine CEUsversus written tests

CEUs are convenient and time saving.

• Finding courses or educational sessions that provide CEUs in all aspects of infection prevention is difficult. The IP would be required to take numerous courses, possibly in a variety of modalities (i.e. on computer, off-site lectures).

• Time will have to be allotted for travel for each event and/or computer sessions.

CEUs cost less than re-certification

• Courses offering CEU can begin at $150-$200 and increase to $600 per course.

• Current cost of re-certification is $325 every 5 years. That is $65.00 per year or $5.40 per month.

CEU preparation and ease of use

• Frequently, courses or educational sessions providing CEUs do not require preparation nor do they have a method to demonstrate competency at completion of the course.

• However, they do not assess competency at the completion of the course.

Advantages of re-examinationOnce you take the certification examination:• You do not have to re-certify for 5

years!!!!• No keeping a record of courses taken!• No tallying up points to meet criteria! • No worry, no fuss!

• The CBIC certification examination is a proven method of demonstrating the competency of those individuals who take the exam.

• The certification examination is not designed to be easy.

• It is designed to measure the knowledge and the skills of those who take the exam.

• Certification in infection control and prevention is viewed by employers and colleagues as an indication of an advanced level of knowledge and of professional growth by the IP.

• A podcast about this can be found on the Media page at www.cbic.org.

In the CBIC podcast titled ‘Re-examination versus Continuing Education Units’, January 2013, CEUs and the merits of re-certification as a measure of competency are thoroughly explored.

The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) enlists the services of Prometric, a testing company that provides expertise and ensures CBIC meets the National Commission for Certifying Agencies standards for accreditation so that they can provide a high quality certification examination.

Summary

CEUs:• Play a role in the education of the health

care professional.• Allow healthcare professionals to broaden

their knowledge on a variety of subjects• They do not measure competency.

• Certification in infection control and prevention is a commitment to the profession.

• Certification and the CIC® designation demonstrate commitment to the profession.

Summary

For more information regarding certification, please contact

our Executive Office at 414.918.9796 or email

info@cbic.org