Renewal Help
Renewal termsexplained simply.
CE, CEU, CPE, PDU, renewal windows, maintenance fees, and recertification can sound similar. Here's what the most common certification-renewal terms generally mean.
Certification glossary
Understand the language of renewal.
Providers do not always use the same terminology. The definitions below explain the general concepts, but your certification provider's official policy determines what applies to your credential.
CE
Continuing Education
A broad term for approved learning or professional-development activities used by some certification providers to help maintain a credential.
CEU
Continuing Education Unit
A unit used by some organizations to measure participation in qualifying continuing-education activities. The exact meaning and value can vary by provider.
CPE
Continuing Professional Education
Professional-development credits commonly used by certification organizations such as ISC2 and ISACA to help certification holders maintain credentials.
PDU
Professional Development Unit
A unit used by PMI to measure professional learning and other qualifying activities toward certification renewal.
Recertification
Recertification
The process of renewing or extending a certification by meeting the provider's current requirements before the credential becomes inactive or non-current.
Renewal Window
Renewal Eligibility Window
The period during which a certification holder is allowed to complete or submit renewal requirements.
Certification Cycle
Certification Maintenance Cycle
The period for which a certification remains active or current before renewal, recertification, or maintenance requirements must be completed.
Maintenance Fee
Certification Maintenance Fee
A fee some certification providers require during the certification cycle or as part of maintaining or renewing a credential.
Higher-Level Renewal
Renewal Through a Higher-Level Certification
Some providers allow an eligible certification to be renewed when you earn a qualifying higher-level credential.
Exam Renewal
Renewal by Examination
A renewal method where the certification holder passes an eligible current exam instead of, or sometimes in combination with, continuing-education activities.
Provider rules always come first
A CE, CPE, PDU, renewal fee, or recertification requirement can mean something slightly different from one certification organization to another. Always confirm the rules for your exact credential on the provider's official website.
Ready to check your provider?
Return to the ThirdBadge Recertification directory and select your certification provider.