Cheapest Nursing CE Credits Online (2026 Comparison)
Introduction
Continuing education credits are a non-negotiable part of maintaining your nursing license. Every renewal cycle, you need to complete a specific number of CE hours — and if you hold licenses in multiple states, those hours add up fast. The good news is that CE does not have to be expensive. Prices across online providers range from completely free to several hundred dollars per renewal cycle, and the most expensive option is not always the best. This guide compares the most affordable, accredited CE providers available in 2026 so you can meet your requirements, keep your licenses active, and hold on to more of your paycheck.
CE Requirements Overview for Travel Nurses
Before comparing providers, you need to understand what you are shopping for. CE requirements are set by individual state boards of nursing, and they vary in three key ways:
Total hours required. Most states require between 20 and 40 CE contact hours per two-year renewal cycle. Some states, like Florida, require 24 hours. California requires 30 hours. A handful of states require none at all for RNs, though this is increasingly rare.
Mandatory topics. Many states require CE hours in specific subjects. Common mandated topics include infection control, opioid and pain management education, domestic violence and abuse recognition, HIV/AIDS awareness, and human trafficking identification. These requirements are not optional — you need courses specifically approved for these topics in your licensing state.
Accreditation standards. Most states accept courses accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or state-specific approved providers. ANCC accreditation is the closest thing to a universal standard, but a few states have their own approval requirements on top of national accreditation.
For travel nurses holding licenses in multiple states, the smartest strategy is to identify which CE courses satisfy requirements across the most states simultaneously. This reduces your total hours and total cost. If you hold a compact license, your CE requirements are determined by your home state, but completing extra state-specific mandatory topics keeps you covered if you also hold single-state licenses elsewhere.
Top Affordable CE Providers Compared
Here is a breakdown of the most popular and cost-effective online CE providers for nurses in 2026:
Nurse.com
Nurse.com offers a large library of CE courses with options for both individual course purchases and annual subscriptions. Their unlimited CE subscription runs approximately $40 to $50 per year, which gives you access to hundreds of ANCC-accredited courses across most nursing specialties. The platform is well-organized, and courses are clearly tagged by state approval. If you need a high volume of CE hours across multiple state requirements, the subscription model is strong value.
NetCE
NetCE (formerly CEDirect) is one of the longest-running online CE providers for healthcare professionals. Their annual unlimited subscription costs approximately $40 to $55 per year depending on the plan. NetCE is particularly strong for state-specific mandatory courses — they maintain a state requirements tool that tells you exactly which courses satisfy your state’s mandates. Courses are ANCC-accredited and approved in all 50 states. The content is thorough and well-written, though the interface is more functional than flashy.
NursingCE.com
NursingCE.com offers unlimited ANCC-accredited CE for approximately $30 to $40 per year, making it one of the lowest-cost subscription options available. The course library covers core topics and most state-specific requirements. The platform is straightforward and mobile-friendly, which is useful for completing courses between assignments or during downtime. Certificate generation is instant.
Medscape Nursing
Medscape is the standout option for free CE. They offer hundreds of ANCC-accredited courses at no cost, funded by advertising and educational grants. The content is clinically current and covers a wide range of topics. The limitations: Medscape’s course library may not cover every state-specific mandatory topic, and the platform is ad-supported, which some nurses find distracting. But for supplementing your CE at zero cost, Medscape is hard to beat.
Elite Learning (Colibri Healthcare)
Elite Learning, now part of Colibri Healthcare, offers bundled CE packages organized by state. Their state-specific renewal packages typically cost $30 to $70 and include exactly the hours and topics you need for a single state’s renewal. If you prefer a one-time purchase tailored to a specific state rather than a subscription, Elite Learning is worth considering. They also offer an unlimited annual option at a higher price point.
Provider Comparison at a Glance
| Provider | Price Model | Annual Cost | Accreditation | State-Specific Courses | Mobile Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse.com | Subscription | $40–$50/yr | ANCC | Yes | Yes |
| NetCE | Subscription | $40–$55/yr | ANCC | Yes (50 states) | Yes |
| NursingCE.com | Subscription | $30–$40/yr | ANCC | Yes | Yes |
| Medscape | Free | $0 | ANCC | Limited | Yes |
| Elite Learning | Per-state bundle | $30–$70/state | ANCC | Yes | Yes |
Free CE Credit Sources
You can complete a meaningful portion of your CE requirements without spending anything. Here are the best free sources:
Medscape Nursing is the largest free CE library. You can earn dozens of ANCC-accredited contact hours through their online courses, articles, and case studies. Create a free account and start browsing by topic or specialty.
CDC TRAIN is a free learning management system offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is especially strong for infection control, public health, and emergency preparedness CE — topics that many states require. Courses are federally funded and available at no cost.
Professional nursing organizations often offer free or deeply discounted CE to members. The American Nurses Association (ANA), the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), and specialty organizations frequently provide CE through webinars, conferences, and online modules as a membership benefit.
Hospital and agency CE programs. Some travel nursing agencies offer CE reimbursement or provide free CE through partnerships with online providers. Always ask your recruiter what CE benefits are included in your contract or agency relationship. Similarly, hospitals where you are assigned may offer CE opportunities during your contract.
State nursing association events. Many state nursing associations host free CE events, workshops, and webinars throughout the year. These can also be good networking opportunities.
The limitation of free CE is coverage. You may not find free courses for every state-specific mandatory topic, and the selection can be narrower than paid platforms. The practical approach is to cover as much as you can through free sources, then fill gaps with a low-cost subscription.
What to Look For in a CE Provider
Not all CE is created equal. Here is what matters when choosing a provider:
ANCC accreditation is essential. The American Nurses Credentialing Center is the most widely accepted accrediting body for nursing CE. If a provider is ANCC-accredited, their courses will be accepted in the vast majority of states. Always verify accreditation before purchasing.
State-specific approval matters for mandatory topics. For required topics like abuse recognition, HIV education, or pain management, some states only accept courses from specifically approved providers — not just any ANCC-accredited course. Check your state board’s website to confirm which providers are approved for mandatory topics.
Certificate management and record-keeping can save you significant hassle. The best providers maintain a digital record of all your completed courses with downloadable certificates. When it comes time for renewal or a CE audit, you want to pull up your records in seconds, not dig through emails from two years ago.
Course format flexibility is important for travel nurses. Look for providers that offer self-paced courses accessible on mobile devices. You should be able to complete CE during gaps between assignments, during travel days, or during quiet moments on break — not only when you are sitting at a desktop computer.
Refund policies are worth checking. If a course turns out to be poorly produced or does not meet your state’s requirements, you should be able to get your money back or swap to a different course.
State-Specific CE Requirements
Here are some of the notable state-specific CE mandates that travel nurses should be aware of:
Florida requires courses in prevention of medical errors, laws and rules of nursing practice, recognizing impairment in the workplace, human trafficking, and domestic violence.
California requires CE in specific content areas and has its own Board of Registered Nursing approval process for CE providers, in addition to ANCC accreditation.
New York requires courses in infection control and child abuse recognition. These must be completed through New York State Education Department-approved providers.
Texas requires at least two hours in nursing jurisprudence and ethics. Texas also requires a targeted CE hour in human trafficking for each renewal.
Ohio requires one hour of CE in Ohio nursing law and rules per renewal cycle.
If you hold a compact license, your CE requirements are based on your home state. But if you also hold individual licenses in non-compact states, you need to meet those states’ CE requirements as well. The most efficient approach is to create a master list of all required topics across your active licenses and find courses that check multiple boxes at once.
Use our license lookup tool to find links to each state’s specific CE requirements.
Maximizing CE Value as a Travel Nurse
Beyond meeting minimum requirements, here is how to get the most value from your CE investment:
Choose courses that count in multiple states. Before enrolling, check whether a course is approved in all the states where you hold licenses. ANCC-accredited courses have the broadest acceptance. Completing one course that satisfies three states’ requirements is far more efficient than completing three separate state-specific courses.
Combine CE with certification maintenance. If you hold specialty certifications like CCRN, CEN, or other credentials that require continuing education, look for CE courses that count toward both your state license renewal and your certification maintenance. Many travel nurse certifications require their own CE hours, and overlap is your friend.
Track CE costs for tax purposes. Continuing education expenses are potentially tax-deductible for travel nurses as a professional development expense. Keep receipts for all CE purchases, subscriptions, and related costs. Consult with a travel nurse tax professional for guidance on what qualifies.
Ask about agency CE reimbursement. Many travel nursing agencies offer CE reimbursement as a benefit, either as a set annual dollar amount or through partnerships with CE providers. This is a benefit that nurses frequently overlook. Ask your recruiter before paying out of pocket.
Use downtime productively. The gaps between assignments, travel days, and orientation periods at new facilities are ideal times to knock out CE. Having a mobile-friendly CE subscription means you can complete a course from a hotel room, an airport, or a break room.
Plan ahead. Do not wait until two weeks before your renewal deadline to start your CE. Spreading courses across the renewal cycle reduces stress and lets you choose better courses instead of scrambling for whatever is available at the last minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nursing CE credits cost?
Nursing CE costs range from completely free to several hundred dollars per renewal cycle depending on the provider and your state’s requirements. The most affordable approach is an unlimited annual subscription from providers like NursingCE.com at thirty to forty dollars per year or NetCE at forty to fifty-five dollars per year. Free options like Medscape and CDC TRAIN can cover a significant portion of your hours at no cost, and you can fill gaps with a low-cost paid subscription.
Can I get free nursing CE credits?
Yes, several reputable sources offer free ANCC-accredited CE credits. Medscape Nursing is the largest free CE library with hundreds of courses across multiple specialties. CDC TRAIN offers free courses in infection control, public health, and emergency preparedness. Professional nursing organizations like the ANA and ENA frequently provide free CE through webinars and online modules for their members. Many travel nursing agencies also offer CE reimbursement as a benefit worth asking about.
How many CE hours do travel nurses need?
CE requirements are set by individual state boards of nursing and typically range from twenty to forty contact hours per two-year renewal cycle. If you hold licenses in multiple states, you may need to meet separate requirements for each state. The most efficient strategy is to find ANCC-accredited courses that satisfy requirements across multiple states simultaneously, reducing both your total hours and total cost. If you hold a compact license, your CE requirements are determined by your home state.
Are CE costs tax deductible for travel nurses?
Continuing education expenses are potentially tax-deductible for travel nurses as a professional development expense. Keep receipts for all CE purchases, subscriptions, and related costs throughout the year. The deduction applies to courses required for maintaining your professional license, which includes both state-mandated CE and specialty certification maintenance education. Consult a tax professional who specializes in travel nurse taxes for specific guidance on what qualifies and how to claim the deduction.
What is the difference between ANCC accreditation and state approval?
ANCC accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center is the most widely accepted national standard for nursing CE, and courses with this accreditation are accepted in the vast majority of states. However, some states have additional approval requirements for mandatory topics like abuse recognition, opioid education, or infection control, meaning they only accept courses from specifically state-approved providers for those particular subjects. Always check your state board’s website to confirm which providers are approved for mandatory topics before purchasing.
Key Takeaways
- Free CE from Medscape and CDC TRAIN can cover a significant portion of your requirements at no cost.
- Unlimited annual subscriptions in the $30 to $55 range are the best value for paid CE and typically pay for themselves with a single renewal cycle.
- Always verify that a provider is ANCC-accredited and approved in your specific states before purchasing.
- Plan your CE around your state-specific mandatory topics to avoid last-minute scrambles.
- Keep digital copies of all certificates organized in a cloud-based system for easy access during renewals and audits.
- Ask your agency about CE reimbursement — it is a commonly overlooked benefit that can make paid courses essentially free.
- Choose courses that satisfy multiple states simultaneously to minimize your total required hours.
Related Resources
- How to Get a Nursing License in a New State (Fast Track)
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Explained: Which States Are In?
- Certifications That Boost Travel Nurse Pay
- How Long Does It Take to Get a Nursing License by State?
- License Lookup Tool
- Travel Nurse Tax Deductions