The NKBA CEU Program

One CEU is defined as 10 contact hours. A contact hour is defined as 60 minutes of interaction between a learner and facilitator or between a learner and materials that have been prepared to facilitate learning, such as an online, on-demand course. An activity where the certified member is on the receiving end of formal training is applicable for CEU credit, provided it pertains to the kitchen and bath industry.

The NKBA requires that all certified members earn 2.0 CEUs (or 20 hours of education) every two years. Each two year cycle runs from July 1 to June 30. Certified members who do not meet the CEU requirements at the end of the cycle, will lose their NKBA Certification. Industry professionals and consumers are better protected in a more educated marketplace. By ensuring that all certified members maintain an adequate level of knowledge, the NKBA will assist in building consumer confidence and trust in the industry.

CEUs are awarded for participation in formal educational activities with professional associations, business and industry, occupational groups and academic education. Workshops, seminars, training programs, conferences, institutes and short courses relating to the kitchen & bath industry may qualify. Members can submit courses from any organization for CEUs. Each submission must then be approved by the Certification Department. The NKBA recognizes providers of quality continuing education coursework through our CEU Provider Program.

To view a list of CEU programs, click here.

To submit your CEU, complete an online CEU Reporting Form. Once completed, click to send the information directly to the NKBA Certification Department for processing. Faxed or mailed CEU reporting forms will not be accepted. You are not required to submit an online CEU Reporting Form for NKBA online courses; however, all courses, with the exception of NKBA online courses, must be submitted. Certified members’ NKBA CEU records will be updated when the class is closed by the NKBA. You are responsible for submitting your own CEUs for attending chapter meetings. We recommend that you maintain your own attendance records, in the event of a discrepancy.

Any NKBA member pursuing certification must earn NKBA education hours to meet the education requirement for certification. NKBA professional development courses, formal college education and NKBA-approved chapter courses are the only forms of education that are accepted toward certification.

Chapters may invite speakers from any organization to present at chapter meetings. In order to qualify for CEUs, the presentation must pertain to the kitchen and bath industry and be at least one hour in length. The presenter does not need to be an approved CEU Provider for the course to qualify for CEUs. Members are responsible for submitting their own CEUs via an online form. Courses presented at a chapter meeting will not be approved for more than 0.1 CEU (one hour), without the prior approval of NKBA Certification & Design.

Chapters requesting more than 0.1 CEU are required to submit the following documentation to the certification department four weeks prior to the event date for review. Chapters can view a sample timed agenda here.

• Program topic
• Learning objectives
• Presenter’s bio
• Length of program
• Timed Agenda

Chapters can submit their own courses to NKBA Certification & Design to have them qualify for NKBA education hours and CEUs. The presenter must be an NKBA member and not a sponsor or other corporate member. Courses must be submitted by a chapter officer. Please use this form. Depending upon the course length, these may be approved for more than one educational hour (0.1 CEU). Once notified of approval, the course may run. At the end of the course, participants will be surveyed. Using a standard evaluation target rate, the course must receive a minimum score of 4.0 out of 5.0 points in order to continue providing education credits.

Note: The purpose of this program is to encourage NKBA chapters to develop their own courses that will count for CEUs and education hours. The courses will belong to the chapters. This program is intended for NKBA chapter use, not for corporate sponsors or professional speakers.

To submit your CEU, login to NKBA.org using your NKBA member ID (not your company’s ID). Complete an online CEU Reporting Form using your individual member ID (not your company’s ID). Once completed, click to send the information directly to the NKBA Certification Department for processing. Faxed or mailed CEU reporting forms will not be accepted.

You may access and monitor your account by logging into our website as a member. Your account displays your approved CEUs for the current cycle. If CEU credit is not posted to your record within four weeks of the submission date, or there is a discrepancy, please contact the NKBA Member Engagement at 800-THE-NKBA (843-6522). The NKBA no longer provides individual statements.

Activities & Events that earn CEUs: NKBA education courses, NKBA chapter meetings, KBIS conference seminars, ASID education programs, AIA education programs, Redvector.com courses, AECdaily.com courses, NARI educational programs, college courses, home center “how-to” seminars, vendor training and submitting written essays.

Topics that qualify for CEUs: Kitchen/bath design, interior design, construction, sales, architecture, color, art, health/safety/welfare, universal design, insurance/liability, perspective drawing, surfaces, leadership, ergonomics, countertop design, lighting/illumination, codes & standards, fabrics & furnishings, appliances, ADA, building technology, history of architecture, showroom design, business management, aging in place, CAD, green design, and marketing.

Activities & Events that do not earn CEUs: Teaching, lecturing, writing articles for publication, interviewing, holiday parties, awards presentations, self-guided tours, trade shows, or entering or judging design contests.

Topics that do not qualify for CEUs: Commercial roofing, techniques in teaching, trends in the rental housing market and pest control.

Individuals whose certification has been revoked due to non-compliance with the CEU program will be required to reapply and retake the certification exam, unless they can document proof of having earned the required CEU credit.

No extensions are allowed. All 20 hours must be earned and submitted by the end of the cycle.

Certified members, who have officially registered their member status with the NKBA as retired, must earn ten hours (1.0 CEU).

Certified members who have been approved for a certification leave of absence with the NKBA will have their CEU requirements prorated.

No. CEUs do not carry over to the next two-year cycle.

There are numerous options for earning CEU credit without having to travel a long distance:
• Attend a FREE NKBA webinar.
• Attend an NKBA online course.
• Attend a “how-to” seminar at a local home improvement center.
• Attend a seminar at a local builder’s show, appliance show, etc.
• Attend a seminar from an allied organization (ASID, NAHB, AIA, NARI, etc.).
• Take a course at a local community college university or technical school (credit and non-credit).
• Write correspondence essays based on any NKBA publication or on our website.