How long must continuing education proof be kept?

• A. 2 years
• B. 7 years
• C. 5 years
• D. 10 years

Answer: (C)

Continuing education records are kept to prove you met ongoing licensing requirements. The standard retention period is five years, so you should preserve proof of CE credits for five years from the date of the course (or for the duration of the applicable renewal cycle, per your board’s rules). This time frame covers potential audits or reviews that may occur during or after your renewal period, ensuring you can illustrate compliance if needed. To stay prepared, keep certificates of completion, attendance rosters, hours earned, course titles, dates, and provider information, organized in a retrievable system (digital with backups, and physical copies if possible). Keeping records for shorter periods could leave you vulnerable during an audit, while longer-than-necessary retention isn't typically required.