CIP® Recertification by Continuing Education Resources
Are you thinking about recertifying via continuing education?
- As soon as you become CIP® certified, you can start to gather continuing education (CE) credits. Review our recertification webpage to find out more information regarding the recertification process and whether you qualify to recertify by continuing education.
- Continue reading below to find tools and resources for making your recertification journey as simple and educational as possible. Here you will find the recertification process explained, short videos, articles and newsletters, links, helpful tips for smoother recertification experience, frequently asked questions and upcoming recertification information sessions. Check back often as new tools and resources are added as they become available.
Where to begin?
Review our acceptable continuing education activities
CIP® credential holders must complete a minimum of 30 eligible continuing education hours in topics within the CIP® Body of Knowledge/Content Outline that are beyond the initial, basic, or fundamental level of knowledge. At least 15 of the 30 hours must either carry credits issued by a recognized accrediting body or have received advance recognition from the CIP® Council. Visit our CIP® recertification webpage and scroll down to the "Acceptable Continuing Education Activities" section to read more about what is considered an acceptable continuing education activity.
Attend learning opportunities that are eligible for PRIM&R CIP® CE credits
You can begin earning continuing education credits after you pass the CIP® examination. If you are recertifying by continuing education for a consecutive time, CE credits must be earned after the expiration date of the previous certification. Credit hours are awarded on an hour to hour (1:1) basis, meaning that every hour of classroom learning is equivalent to one continuing education credit. Credits are quartered in .25 increments, meaning every 15 minutes is equal to .25 credit hour.
The Council encourages CIP® credential holders to complete continuing education activities representing a diversity of topics. You can find examples of learning opportunities by visiting our CIP® recertification webpage and scrolling down to the "Acceptable Continuing Education Activities" section. If you question whether a learning opportunity has been given credit, please contact the sponsor and ask if they have had this program reviewed for PRIM&R CIP® continuing education credit.
Maintain an ongoing record of the CIP® CE credits you have earned, along with documentation
Continuing education credits can be earned throughout your three-year certification period. As soon as possible after completing eligible learning opportunities, log them on the excel tracker and locate the proper documentation.
Individuals are responsible for obtaining source documentation (certificates, letters of attendance, etc.) for recertification credit and for including copies of such documentation with their applications. Review our CIP® Documentation webpage for guidelines on where and how to obtain documentation, including examples of suitable documentation for online learning opportunities that don’t issue certificates of attendance.
Keep track of your recertification materials
Three years is a long time to keep track of every CE credit you have earned! Keep your recertification materials together in one place where you will have continuous access to it throughout those three years. It is a good idea to save the materials in a few different places; some examples might be to save in a file on your personal computer and on a jump drive. This will help if one source is no longer available.
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Watch this short video for guidance on the recertification by continuing education process!
Articles and Newsletters
- CIP® Short Articles
- CIP® Q1 Newsletter
Ready to apply for recertification?
What should my recertification by continuing education application include?
- CIP® Recertification Application Form
- CIP® Excel CEU Tracker
- Supporting documentation for each of the programs listed on the excel tracker
When should I submit my application materials?
If your certification expiration date is June 30th, you should submit your recertification by continuing education application and all materials by June 1st. If your expiration date is December 31st, you should submit everything by December 1st. If you would like to submit your application early, candidates are able to submit their recertification application starting 1 year prior to their certification expiration date.
It is not recommended to wait until the last day to submit; give yourself a buffer in case any issues arise. The review can take up to three weeks and incomplete applications can take longer.
Attend an upcoming Recertification by Continuing Education Info Session!
May 2025 Recertification by CE Info Session
Tuesday, May 13
1:00 - 2:00 PM EST |
If you're due for CIP® or CPIA® recertification by continuing education (CE) credits and have questions about the process, this session is perfect for you. The session will begin with a brief overview of the recertification process followed by Q&A. Ensure your continuing professional development is on track by joining us for this informative session.
Have a question or topic you would like answered or covered in future exam or recertification by continuing education info sessions? Fill out our feedback form! The input you provide will be reviewed and may be included in future information sessions and/or in electronic publications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to recertify?
CIP® credential holders must recertify every three years. Recertification must be accomplished prior to the the certification expiration date to avoid a lapse. If the lapse is greater than six months, you will have to take and pass the examination in order to reinstate your credential. You must maintain a current certification if you wish to continue using the CIP® credential after your name.
Do I need to recertify by exam if I have already taken and passed the exam?
- Recertification may be achieved either by:
- Retaking and passing the CIP® examination, or
- Completing 30 hours of eligible continuing education (CE) hours as described in the CIP® recertification guidelines and submitting a CIP® recertification by CE application and CE tracker.
CIP® credential holders may recertify by continuing education twice in a nine-year period before being required to recertify by examination. Once an individual maintains their certification for over ten consecutive years, they may recertify solely through continuing education and do not need to sit for the examination.
How much is the recertification fee? Do I have to be a PRIM&R member to recertify?
The recertification fee is $425 for all candidates, whether you recertify via exam or continuing education. You do not have to be a PRIM&R member to hold a CIP® certification or to recertify your credential; however, there are plenty of benefits to becoming a PRIM&R member which can be reviewed on our membership page!