Acceptable CCDS/CCDS-O Continuing Education Units (CEU) for Recertification

The following are some of the many ways you can earn the 30 CEUs required for CCDS/CCDS-O recertification.

ACDIS-Specific Opportunities

1. CDI Journal (free for ACDIS members) published six times a year, qualifies for one CEU credit upon the completion of the corresponding exam. Members may go back up to one year in the archives to claim these CEUs. You can also earn CEUs by being published in the CDI Journal: Contributors published in the Journal receive 0.5 CEUs per 350 published words and articles tend to be around the 750-1,500 word mark.

2. ACDIS quarterly conference calls (free for ACDIS members) qualify for one CEU credit upon the completion of the accompanying survey. Members may go back up to one year in the archives to claim these CEUs.

3. ACDIS Podcast episodes (free for everyone) qualify for 0.5 CEU credit upon the completion of the accompanying survey. Note: the survey must be completed in the two days after the episode publishes.

4. Free and sponsored webinars: ACDIS offers a number of free and sponsored webinars throughout the year, including our annual CDI Week webinar. These webinars typically offer 1–1.5 CEUs. Check the ACDIS website often or subscribe to CDI Strategies to be the first to hear about these opportunities.

5. Annual ACDIS national conference, which awarded 13 CCDS/CCDS-O CEUs last year.

6. ACDIS local chapter meetings and conferences: Many of the local chapters throughout the country offer extensive educational sessions and work with ACDIS national to provide CEUs to their members. Visit the local chapter page on the ACDIS website to connect with the chapter nearest you.

7. HCPro CDI Boot Camps: There are many CDI and coding Boot Camps that offer credits, the numbers of which vary depending on the length and subject matter of the program. Check the Boot Camp webpage to learn how many CEUs are awarded for a particular program. You can count all CEUs awarded for an ACDIS CDI or HCPro coding Boot Camp.

Other Opportunities

1. Activities from other organizations that provide education or training in CDI, ICD‐10, clinical (disease or diagnosis), coding, documentation improvement activities, or diagnosis/pathophysiology. These must have been approved for CEUs such as AAPC, ANCC, and CME. Certificates certifying attendance are not sufficient if the program has not been accredited through an appropriate professional organization that offers CEUs.

  • Note: There is a restriction on CEUs issued by other agencies: For any single event that awards more than 10 CEUs, we will accept 10. For example:
    • If you attend a training that awards (for example) 15 CEUs, we will accept 10 for your recertification.
    • If you attend a webinar or similar training that awards you fewer than 10 CEUs, ACDIS will accept as many of those events as you wish to submit.
  • Exceptions include ACDIS (CCDS/CCDS-O), AHIMA, and NAHRI CEUs. We will accept all CEUs from any event specifically offering ACDIS, AHIMA, or NAHRI CEUs.
    • Certificates from such events will specifically state that they offer Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS), American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), or National Association for Revenue Integrity (NAHRI) credits.

2. Presentation of CDI‐related topics at national seminars or local chapter-style events, or other speaking engagements that are not part of regular work responsibilities. You may claim one CEU for each half‐hour of presentation time. A program may be submitted only once in each renewal period. The program must be accredited through appropriate professional organizations such as ACDIS, AHIMA, and ANCC, and include a timed agenda and documentation of program objectives.

3. Completed college courses relevant to healthcare/healthcare management, CDI, or clinical coursework for credit or degrees (1 CEU per hour of classroom time, maximum of 10 CEUs per course).