Online CE
Accredited online continuing education for nurses — how to find it, how to vet it, and how to be sure your state board will accept the hours.
Both count as long as the provider is accredited. Live virtual courses (Zoom, webinar) typically award the same contact hours as in-person. Recorded modules are 'enduring materials' and may be capped in a few states.
Many state-mandated topics (opioid prescribing, human trafficking, implicit bias, suicide assessment) are widely available online for free or low cost — often from state health departments or universities.
Yes — every U.S. board of nursing accepts online CE from ANCC-accredited or state-approved providers. Confirm the provider's accreditation appears on the certificate.
Look for ANCC accreditation, state board approval, or recognition by a national specialty body (AACN, ENA, ONS, etc.). The provider number should be printed on every certificate.
In most states, yes — the contact hours don't have to be live. A few states cap independent-study hours; check your state board.
Quality varies. Free CE from accredited specialty societies, federal agencies (CDC TRAIN, AHRQ), and academic centers is excellent. Free CE bundled with product marketing should be reviewed for commercial bias.