Another year, another CEU scramble.

You swore you wouldn’t wait until the last minute again...
But here you are — rushing through online courses, hoping you’re picking the right ones, and wondering if any of it even matters.

Here’s the truth nobody talks about:
CEUs aren’t just a box to check. They’re your secret weapon — if you know how to use them.

Most BCBAs® miss three simple strategies that could turn their CEUs from a chore into a career boost.

Let’s make sure you’re not one of them.

Key Takeaways

• Your CEUs are more than just a requirement; they are an opportunity to build skills, stand out, and shape your career.

• Treating CEUs like an investment instead of a chore can help you grow strategically as a BCBA®.

• Consistency matters more than cramming; completing 1–2 CEUs per month supports better learning and reduces stress.

• Choosing CEUs that do double duty helps you meet certification requirements while solving real-world problems and expanding career opportunities.

• Tools like the CEU Organizer, recorded CEUs, the Dojo Membership, and the Beyond Boundaries: Freedom Frameworks program make it easier to stay intentional without adding extra workload.

You’ve Been Doing What Everyone Else Does

If you’re like most BCBAs®, you don’t set out to "strategize" your CEUs. You open your email, see a free course, and think: Why not? You sign up, check the box, and move on with your day.

No judgment — you’ve got enough on your plate already. When the BACB® only asks for a number, it's natural to focus on quantity over quality.

But here’s the catch: Every CEU you pick is a choice — a vote for the skills you’ll sharpen (or miss out on).

Without a plan, it’s easy to spend dozens of hours earning CEUs that don't actually move you closer to your career goals.

The good news? It doesn’t take a total overhaul to flip the script — just a smarter strategy (and I’m about to show you how).

What If Your CEUs Could Work Harder for You?

Imagine if every CEU you earned didn’t just meet a requirement…but also made your daily work easier, your clients’ outcomes stronger, and your career path wider. What if, instead of clicking “register” at random, you picked each CEU like a chess move — building skills that quietly gave you an edge over every other BCBA® out there?

Because here’s the truth: CEUs aren’t just a compliance task. They're a strategic advantage — if you know how to choose them.

Most BCBAs® miss this opportunity without even realizing it. But you don't have to. Let’s talk about the three simple strategies that can help you get more value out of every CEU you earn — starting today.

Strategy 1: Treat Your CEUs Like an Investment, Not a Chore

It’s easy to think of CEUs as just another box to check. Take the cheapest, fastest option. Get it over with. Move on. But if you shift your mindset — just slightly — your CEUs can become one of the smartest investments you make in your career.

Here’s how:

Every CEU you choose is a chance to sharpen a skill, deepen your expertise, or carve out a niche that sets you apart from other BCBAs®. The right CEUs can help you:

• Become a stronger supervisor

• Open doors into new fields like OBM, ACT, or consulting

• Improve your client outcomes (and your reputation)

• Future-proof your career against market shifts

Instead of asking, "What’s free?" Start asking, "What’s valuable?"

Action Tip:
Before you register for a CEU, pause and ask yourself:

• Does this course build a skill I actually want?

• Will this knowledge help me serve clients better, lead teams more effectively, or grow my career in the next 2–5 years?

If the answer is yes — that CEU is an investment, not a cost.

Want help tracking your CEUs more strategically?
We created a free CEU Organizer that automatically calculates how many CEUs you’ve earned — and how many you have left — by category (General, Ethics, Supervision).

It’s simple, editable, and built specifically for BCBAs® who want to stop guessing and start planning.

Grab your copy right here.

Strategy 2: Build a CEU Habit, Not a Panic Pattern

Most BCBAs® don’t intentionally procrastinate. It just happens. You get busy. Clients need you. Paperwork piles up. CEUs drift to the back burner — until suddenly, your renewal deadline is looming, and you’re cramming hours of learning into a few sleepless weekends.

The problem? Last-minute learning isn’t meaningful learning.

Research on distributed practice (spreading learning over time) shows that spacing out your study sessions — even for professional development — leads to better retention and real-world application.
(Think marathon training vs. sprinting the day before race day.)

The smarter move: Instead of binging CEUs once a year, aim for a steady rhythm — completing 1–2 CEUs each month.

Action Tip:
Set a recurring reminder in your calendar: "Choose this month’s CEU."

Over time, it becomes second nature — like brushing your teeth or checking your caseload.

Many BCBAs® find it easier to build this habit when new CEU opportunities are delivered automatically.
(For example, some membership programs, like the Master ABA Dojo offer a set number of CEUs every month — no hunting required.)

Whether you DIY it or use a system like that, the goal is the same: Make CEU learning a natural, low-stress part of your professional life.

Strategy 3: Choose CEUs That Do Double Duty

Let’s be honest: not all CEUs are created equal. Some are just fine — they check the box, meet the requirement, and vanish from memory the second you close the tab. But others?

They change how you see the field.
They reconnect you with your purpose.
They spark entirely new career paths.

That’s what we mean by double duty — CEUs that meet your certification needs and give something meaningful back to you: clarity, momentum, or even a new direction.

Think beyond the checklist:

• Struggling with burnout? Choose CEUs that help you reconnect with why you started — like Reignite Your Passion for ABA: How to Love Your Work Again (free, and worth every minute).

• Feeling stuck? Take CEUs that explore consulting, OBM, or private pay models — even if you’re not ready to leap yet.

• Want to diversify your income? You can actually earn CEUs by teaching. If you have a skill or area of expertise, our Beyond Boundaries: Freedom Frameworks program shows you exactly how to create, market, and deliver CEU courses that share your knowledge and build a scalable income stream — without needing a huge following or formal teaching background.

Action Tip:

When reviewing a CEU, ask:

Will this help me solve a real problem I’m facing, grow into a new role, or open doors beyond direct service?

If yes — you’ve found a CEU that’s doing more than meeting a requirement. It’s working for your future. The truth is, CEUs can be more than just educational. They can be transformational — but only if you choose them with purpose.

Your CEUs Can Do More Than You Think

The BACB® may only ask for 32 General, 4 Ethics, and 4 Supervision CEUs… but you get to decide what those hours actually mean for your life.

You can treat CEUs like a to-do list.
Or — you can turn them into a toolkit.

A toolkit that helps you:

• Reignite your passion for the field

• Grow your clinical or leadership skills

• Discover new income streams or business models

• And show up for your clients, teams, and future with more energy than ever

No one taught you how to choose CEUs strategically. But now you know how. And if you want support building those habits — without spending hours hunting for the right courses — we’ve got your back.

Your Next Best Step

If you’re ready to make your CEUs count every time:

• Start by grabbing the CEU Organizer — it's free, and it’ll help you track your progress and plan your goals with intention.

• Explore our recorded CEUs designed to build real-world skills — not just check boxes.

• Want to set it and forget it? Join our Dojo Membership, and get 2 new CEUs delivered to you every month — always fresh, relevant, and designed to move your practice forward.

• Feeling called to teach? Learn how to build your own CEU courses with our Beyond Boundaries: Freedom Frameworks program — and turn your expertise into impact (and income).

You don’t need a total career overhaul. Just a smarter approach to the hours you’re already investing.

Your CEUs are more than a requirement. They’re a roadmap — and now you’ve got the compass.