Three units that measure different things
A semester credit is an academic unit issued by a college or university and recorded on a transcript. A clock hour (also called a contact hour, PD hour or, in some states, a point or PDU) measures time spent in approved professional learning. A CEU is a non-credit unit, commonly defined as 10 contact hours. Licensing agencies publish conversions so that teachers can combine these units toward one renewal total.
The conversions, state by state
Each row comes from the state agency or rule named in the source column. Requirements change; follow the link before you rely on a figure.
| State | Published conversion | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1 semester credit = 15 clock hours; 1 quarter credit = 10 | WAC 181-85-030 |
| Oregon | 1 semester credit = 30 PDUs; 1 quarter credit = 20 | TSPC renewal information |
| Nevada | 1 semester credit = 15 clock hours | NDE; R088-23 |
| Colorado | 1 semester hour = 15 contact hours; 1 quarter hour = 10; 1 CEU = 10 | CDE renewal checklist |
| Arizona | 1 semester hour = 15 PD hours | ADE |
| Idaho | 15 hours = 1 semester credit (capped at 3 credits) | SDE |
| Montana | 1 semester credit = 15 PDUs; 1 quarter credit = 10 | OPI |
| Alaska | 1 renewal credit = 1 semester hour = 1.5 quarter hours; CEUs need at least 15 contact hours per renewal credit | DEED |
| Texas | 1 semester credit = 15 CPE hours | TEA |
| Florida | 20 inservice points = 1 semester hour | FLDOE |
| Georgia | 10 contact hours = 1 CEU | Rule 505-2-.36 |
| North Carolina | 8 CEUs = 80 clock hours | NCDPI |
| Maryland | 1 semester hour = 15 PDPs; 1 CEU = 10; 1 clock hour = 1 | COMAR 13A.12.02.06 |
| South Carolina | 1 semester hour = 20 renewal credits; 1 quarter hour = 13; 1 CEU = 10 | SCDE |
| Tennessee | 1 semester hour = 10 PDPs (audited course = 5) | TDOE PDP FAQ |
| Arkansas | 1 hour of graduate-level college credit = 5 PD hours, with no more than 15 hours allocated toward licensure PD | DESE |
| Delaware | 1 semester credit = 15 clock hours | 14 DE Admin. Code 1511 |
| District of Columbia | 1 credit = 15 clock hours | OSSE |
| Illinois | 1 semester hour = 15 PD hours; 1 quarter hour = 10 | ISBE |
| Pennsylvania | 1 semester credit = 30 Act 48 hours | PDE Act 48 FAQ |
| Ohio | 1 CEU = 10 contact hours; 3 CEUs = 1 semester hour | LPDC conversion chart |
| Michigan | 1 semester credit = 25 professional learning hours | MDE |
Some states publish no fixed multiplier. Utah's renewal rule (R277-302) sets renewal hours without a semester-credit ratio. New York's CTLE pages set 100 hours per registration period but, as of our review, do not publish a semester-credit conversion; ask your CTLE sponsor. California's CTC leaflet CL-494 says clear credentials renew without additional coursework, so no conversion applies.
A conversion is not the whole requirement
Hitting the hour total does not always complete renewal. Colorado's checklist adds required topics, including behavioral-health and disability hours for licences expiring on or after June 30, 2025, plus English-learner requirements. Idaho requires that three of its six credits come from an accredited college or university and be placed on a transcript. Arkansas caps how much college credit counts toward licensure PD. Read your state's full checklist, not just the ratio.
What the conversion does not decide: your salary column
Renewal conversions are set by state licensing agencies. Salary placement is set by your district's contract or, in a few states, by statute. The two systems do not have to agree, and often they do not.
- Washington's PESB states plainly that "salary advancement through clock hours is not overseen by PESB." Seattle's schedule is measured in quarter credits, under the district's own rules.
- Oregon's TSPC notes that district employment requirements continue alongside state renewal rules.
- Hawaii counts Department PD credits toward reclassification but excludes academic credits earned as CEUs.
- Texas's state minimum salary schedule under TEC §21.402 is based on years of experience; pay above that minimum comes from district schedules and stipends.
Two questions, two offices. "Will this renew my licence?" goes to the state agency. "Will this move my column?" goes to district HR. Ask both, separately, before you enroll.
For how columns work, see lane change, explained. For which units a district will accept, see units that count. State detail is in the guides for Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Texas.
Sources
Every conversion in the table links to its source in the right-hand column. Additional sources:
- Washington PESB, clock hours: pesb.wa.gov
- Seattle Public Schools, 2025-26 certificated salary schedule: seattleschools.org
- HIDOE Guidelines for Reclassification, SY2024-25: hidoeotm.org
- TEA, minimum salary schedules: tea.texas.gov
- Utah R277-302: schools.utah.gov
- NYSED CTLE hours: highered.nysed.gov
- CTC Leaflet CL-494: ctc.ca.gov
Last reviewed 2026-11-03.