Look up your state’s requirements
Hours, HSW, renewal cycles, and accepted course types vary by jurisdiction. NCARB’s official Licensing Requirements Tool covers every U.S. jurisdiction. Find and compare the rules for any state, then let your CEU Tracker keep you on pace.
Continuing education keeps your architecture license current, but the rules differ from state to state, and the vocabulary can be confusing. Here are clear answers, plus a direct link to look up any state’s exact requirements.
The basics
What is a CEU, a CE hour, and a Learning Unit (LU)?
They all describe continuing-education credit. Architecture boards 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.
Using the ALA CEU Tracker
How does the ALA CEU Tracker work?
You log each course you complete. The tracker applies it to every state on your record and shows hours, HSW hours and required topics for each one. A monthly email lists what is still open. 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?
A monthly email lists each license on your record with hours logged, hours still open and the next deadline.
Do ALA courses show up in my tracker?
Yes. When you attend an ALA event, ALA staff add the credit and your certificate to your tracker. You log courses you take elsewhere and upload the certificate yourself.
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 your record and certificates on demand. Your state board decides what counts. Note that most states use self-reporting, where 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 live webinars and CE reporting.
Keep your continuing education in one place
Log every course, track it across every state, and never miss a renewal.