As a nurse, you already juggle a lot of responsibilities — bedside care, mandatory training, and endless charting — so continuing education (CE) often feels like just another demand on your time and energy, not to mention your wallet. It’s no surprise that free CE for nurses is highly sought after, as it offers a practical way to meet required hours without the added financial burden.
So, where can you find free CE courses for nurses? Let’s review some of the trusted platforms offering high-quality, accredited options for earning CE hours at no cost.
Free CE for Nurses: 15 Course Providers
From well-established nursing organizations to specialty-focused providers, there are a number of options that offer accredited CEs. Below, we’ll highlight 15 popular options for free educational courses. Keep in mind that these organizations can change which courses they offer for free, so it’s a good idea to check their websites regularly for the most up-to-date offerings.
1. American Heart Association
While many nurses know the American Heart Association (AHA) for certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), it also offers educational resources on topics such as stroke care, heart disease prevention, and other topics relevant to cardiovascular health.
While not all AHA courses are free, the organization regularly provides educational updates and training resources that may count toward continuing education, depending on state requirements.
2. American Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), part of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is a widely recognized authority in nursing education. It offers a range of accredited CE activities, though not all of them are free.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the most trusted public health agencies in the United States, and it offers a wide range of courses for nurses.
Through the CDC TRAIN platform, nurses can access a wide range of educational modules on topics including infection prevention, immunization practices, and emergency preparedness. These resources are especially valuable because they are regularly updated to reflect the latest clinical recommendations and national health priorities.
4. National Association of Hispanic Nurses
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting Hispanic nurses in their professional development. Through webinars, educational events, and informative courses, NAHN occasionally offers free continuing education for nurses, many of which are available in Spanish.
5. Nursing Associations
Beyond major national organizations, many nursing associations also offer free CE opportunities for their members and, in some cases, the broader nursing community.
Here are some examples:
6. NursingCE
Developed by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), NursingCE is another helpful option for nurses looking for online continuing education opportunities. The platform offers ANCC-accredited CE courses across a wide range of topics, including pharmacology, patient safety, and specialty-specific clinical care. While not every course is free, NursingCE does periodically offer select free CE options and promotions, so it’s worth checking out.
7. State Boards of Nursing
Many state boards of nursing offer free CE opportunities directly through their official websites. These are often designed to meet state-specific licensing requirements, covering essential topics such as infection control, patient safety, and legal responsibilities in nursing practice.
Here are some examples:
8. Think Cultural Health
Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Think Cultural Health is an educational platform focused on advancing culturally competent care. It offers free online continuing education for nurses and other healthcare professionals, with a strong emphasis on culturally congruent care, health equity, and improving communication with diverse patient populations.
9. Universities
Some colleges and universities may offer free CE for nurses through online courses, webinars, and professional development programs. These offerings are often designed to share the latest academic research and clinical best practices while making education more accessible to practicing nurses.
Here are some examples:
Specialty-Specific Free CE for Nurses
10. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is one of the most respected professional organizations in nursing, particularly for those working in acute and critical care settings. It offers free CE courses designed to sharpen your clinical skills, including managing vasoactive drips, improving team culture, and refreshing your knowledge of key topics such as endocrine disorders.
11. American Nephrology Nurses Association
If you work in nephrology — or simply want to build your knowledge of kidney disease and dialysis care — the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) is worth exploring. ANNA offers monthly free continuing professional development opportunities for members, along with educational modules focused on chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis, and other related topics.
12. American Psychiatric Nurses Association
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a leading organization dedicated to psychiatric-mental health nursing education and professional development. It offers a variety of CE opportunities focused on mental health care, including topics such as psychiatric assessment, substance use disorders, and crisis communication strategies.
Here are some examples of APNA’s free continuing education for registered nurses:
- Transforming Addiction Care Webinar Series
- From Pregnancy Through Postpartum: Caring for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder
- Medications for Substance and Opioid Use Disorders
13. Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) — the nonprofit organization focused on ADHD education and advocacy — can also be a surprisingly useful CE source for nurses, especially those working in pediatrics, primary care, school nursing, or behavioral health. In collaboration with the CDC, CHADD offers free continuing education opportunities focused on ADHD diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management.
14. National Association of Neonatal Nurses
For nurses working in neonatal care, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) is another strong option. NANN offers free continuing education courses for its members through its iLearn platform, including CE modules on topics like neonatal assessment and preterm infant care.
15. Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) is best known for oncology nursing certification, but it’s also a useful resource for nurses looking for free continuing education in cancer care. ONCC maintains a big list of free CE courses that pulls together free and low-cost educational opportunities from a wide range of approved providers, making it easier for oncology nurses to find relevant courses in one place.
Can I Use Free CE Courses for Nurses to Renew my Nursing License?
Each state decides the exact number of CE hours required and what you need to complete for nursing license renewal. That means to renew your license, you’ll need to find providers fulfilling those state-specific requirements.
Start by checking your state’s board of nursing, relevant nursing associations, and local universities or nursing schools, as they often provide accredited free CE options. If you can’t find enough free courses through those sources, you can look into reputable online platforms, such as IntelyEdu or similar accredited providers. Also, if you attended nursing conferences or completed other professional development activities, you might already have eligible credits that can count toward your renewal requirements.
It’s also important to be cautious — some websites advertise “free CE,” but may still include hidden fees for certificates, full course access, or completion credits. In some cases, only a portion of the required renewal credits may be free.
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