CEC FAQ'S

Qualifying CEC Events Table

Continuing Education Credits (CECs) Overview

Healthcare Facility Technicians are a separate and distinct healthcare profession. It requires technicians, like you, to engage in specific competency based assessment and training in order for a healthcare organization to maintain compliance and accreditation.  It also is critical in maintaining and advancing safety for employee’s, visitors, patients, and you.  Upon successfully completing your certification, participating and documenting continuing education or retesting every three years is required to maintain your credential. Continuing Education Credits (CECs) is the term used to identify and measure educational activities.  A typical CEC represents 1 hour (minimum 45 minutes of instruction) that meets specific criteria identified by the IHFEA.  Further, IHFEA will qualify related training or education activities such as college courses, apprenticeships, vocational courses, etc.. for CEC credit.

Continuing Education Credits also demonstrate your commitment to the healthcare facilities profession and will prepare and position you for continued success and advancement.  Because it's essential for you to stay educated within the field and the healthcare facilities industry is growing rapidly, the demand for certified healthcare facilities personnel who to stay updated in their field of expertise is also growing.

Following are several frequently asked questions and answers about continuing education credits:

CEC FAQ'S

1. What are CECs?

A continuing education credit, or CEC, is a unit that corresponds to actual contact hours, equivalent to time spent in hours devoted to maintaining education and knowledge in a respective field. Units are acceptable if the activity has been granted hours by a credit-granting organization.

2. What is the difference between a CEC and CEU? Can I use CEU’s?

CEC (Continuing Education Credit) & CEU (Continuing Education Unit) are both terms used to identify professional development education. The main difference is that 1(one) CEU is equal to 10 hours of education, therefore, 0.1 CEU would be equal to 1 CEC.   You may certainly use CEU as long as the training qualifies within the certification maintenance requirements.

3. Why should I care about earning CECs?

Continuing education is important for all healthcare facilities technicians to support competency, keep up to date with changes, improve safety, address accreditation issues, and maintain career development.

Your certification lasts for three(3) years. After these three years, you have to re-certify to maintain your credential. You can do this by earning and accumulating 30 continuing education credits over three years, or by retaking and passing the certification exam.

Earning and maintaining your certification is an excellent way to stand out in the healthcare facilities technician profession and earn the best possible compensation.

4. How many CECs do I need?

There are certain standards you have to meet to keep your certification. On average, you will need to earn 30 CECs every 3 years, or you'll have to retake your certification exam.

5. How do I earn CECs?

There are a number of ways you can earn your CECs. These include:

Joining an Organization

As a credentialed member of IHFEA, you will have access to continuing education opportunities, courses, and training to provide and supplement your CEC requirements.

It is also highly recommended that you join your local healthcare engineering chapter.  The majority of these chapters provide low to no cost continuing education credits close to home or via webinar.  You can go to the following link to find the chapter closest to you:

https://www.ashe.org/chapter-region-chapter-map

IHFEA has also identified chapters that provide training and membership specifically focused on technicians.  You can go to the following link for more information:

https://www.ashe.org/chapter-region-chapter-map

Online Learning Modules

These modules typically come in the form of reading or watching a video on a specific topic. You're able to watch streaming presentations on topics related to healthcare facilities that you can access anytime, anywhere. Typically there is some form of assessment at the end of the module to validate training.

Attend Conferences, Meetings, Workshops, and Events

Each year, there are a number of gatherings like these that aim to promote education and training for healthcare facility technicians. Many organizations at the state, regional, national, and local level host these types of events and offer CECs.

Competency Based Trainings

Up to 50% (15 hours) of your CEC requirement can be met through properly document competency based training delivered as part of your employment.  The documented requirements to qualify:

1. Qualifications of Instructor.

2. Hands on and/or application exercise component.

3. Listed learning objectives.

4. 45 minute minimum per CEC

College Course Credits

Up to 50% (15 hours) of your CEC requirement can come from healthcare facilities specific academic courses.  Each semester enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours is valued at 5 CEC credits.

Technical Committee Participation

Up to 50% (15 hours) of your CEC requirement can come from participating on an industry specific technical committee.  Each year of participation is valued at 5 CEC credits

Instructing Course or Delivering Presentations

Up to 50% (15 hours) of your CEC requirement can come from instructing or presenting healthcare facilities specific academic content.  Each event that meets the 45 minute CEC minimum is valued at 2 CECs.

6. How long does it take to earn a CEC?

This depends on how you are earning your CECs.  Typically, educational presentations, hands on training, webinars, etc…. need to meet a minimum of 45 minutes to qualify for 1 CEC.  Other educational activities such as academics, presenting, articles, instructing, etc. can also qualify for CEC, see the CEC qualification and time allowance list.

7. How much do CECs cost?

Understanding the limited resources and financial support that many healthcare facility technicians have to access and pay for continuing education, IHFEA CEC requirements and options are designed to minimize the cost of CECs. Many CECs can be obtained at no cost, while some qualified CECs can be obtained as a result of participation with existing employment competency based training.   Quality not cost of CECs is and should be the main focus.

8. What are the best ways to keep track of my CECs?

It is important to know how many CECs you already have and how many you need to get. The best ways to keep track of your CECS are to:

• Upload CEC information and documentation to your IHFEA credential profile as you earn them.

• Spread your CECs out and do not wait until the last minute to start trying to accrue your CECs. Trying to maintain around 10 CECs each year is a good rule of thumb and will keep you from becoming overwhelmed.

9. What happens if I don’t earn my CECs?

If you don't earn the required CECs in the 3-year period, you must re-take your certification exam.  If you do not re-take the exam or complete the necessary CECs, then your use of the certification credential is no longer valid.

10. What type of training qualify for CECs?

Training and education that qualify for renewal of your certification must meet and support the healthcare facilities technician profession.  The most applicable training would fall within the testing and training guide for your certification.  For example, the Certified Healthcare Facilities Technician (CHFT) certification six healthcare pillars of Life Safety, Ventilation, Medical Gas, Electrical(includes generators & equipment testing), Infection Prevention, and Healthcare Departments and Special Features would clearly meet this requirement.  Other related training that advances the healthcare facilities technician profession will also be accepted.

QUALIFYING CEC EVENTS, DESCRIPTIONS, AND CEC LIMITS