Best Online Continuing Education Courses in 2026

If you're a licensed professional, whether nurse, teacher, accountant, real estate agent, lawyer, engineer, or one of dozens of other regulated professions, you know the drill. Your license requires continuing education credits, and somehow you need to fit learning into an already packed schedule while juggling work, family, and everything else life throws at you.

The traditional approach meant sacrificing weekends for hotel conference rooms, sitting through eight-hour sessions on topics you half-needed, and paying hundreds of dollars for the privilege of staying licensed. In 2026, that model feels increasingly outdated.

Online continuing education has matured dramatically. The best courses now offer flexibility without sacrificing quality, professional relevance without boring you to tears, and legitimate credits without breaking your budget. You can complete requirements from your couch at 10pm in your pajamas, learning at your own pace from experts who actually understand your profession.

But not all online continuing education is created equal. Some providers offer legitimate, state-approved courses that advance your skills. Others are barely-legal credit mills that waste your time while technically meeting requirements. The difference matters for both your license and your professional growth.

This guide explores the best online continuing education courses across different professions in 2026, helping you meet requirements while actually learning something useful.

Understanding Continuing Education Requirements

Before diving into courses, let's clarify how continuing education works:

License renewal requirements: Most regulated professions require continuing education units (CEUs), professional development hours (PDHs), or contact hours for license renewal. Requirements vary dramatically by profession and state.

State-specific approval: What counts in California might not count in Texas. Always verify your state board approves the provider and specific courses.

Subject matter requirements: Many professions require hours in specific topics (ethics, safety, law changes) beyond general continuing education.

Reporting: Some states track credits automatically through approved providers. Others require you to maintain documentation and report manually.

Audit risk: States randomly audit license renewals. Keep certificates and documentation for at least one renewal cycle beyond current requirements.

The golden rule: Check your specific state board requirements before enrolling in any continuing education.

Best Continuing Education for Healthcare Professionals

1. Medscape Education (Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists)

Professions: Physicians, nurses, NPs, PAs, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers Cost: Free for most courses Credits: CME, CNE, CPE credits Accreditation: Accredited by major medical education organizations Platform: medscape.org

What you'll learn: Clinical updates, disease management, pharmacology, new treatments, practice guidelines, and evidence-based medicine across all medical specialties.

Why it's excellent: Medscape offers thousands of free CME/CNE courses from reputable sources. The clinical content is current, evidence-based, and directly applicable to practice.

Certificates are automatically tracked and available for download. The mobile app makes learning convenient during breaks or commutes.

Best for: Any healthcare professional needing clinical continuing education. Especially valuable for staying current on treatment guidelines.

2. Nurse.com CE Center

Professions: Nurses (RN, LPN), nurse practitioners Cost: Free and paid options ($10-50 per course) Credits: Contact hours approved in all 50 states Accreditation: ANCC-accredited Platform: nurse.com/ce

What you'll learn: Clinical nursing topics, pharmacology, patient safety, specialty nursing, ethics, and nursing law. State-specific courses for licensure requirements.

Why it's excellent: ANCC accreditation means credits are accepted nationwide. Mix of free and paid courses provides options for different budgets. State-specific courses ensure you meet particular state requirements.

Best for: Nurses in all specialties and states needing flexible, affordable continuing education.

3. Wild Iris Medical Education

Professions: Nurses, therapists, social workers, counselors Cost: Free courses available; unlimited annual subscription $79-99 Credits: Contact hours, CEUs for multiple professions Accreditation: Multiple accrediting bodies Platform: wildirismedicaleducation.com

What you'll learn: Clinical topics, mental health, rehabilitation, gerontology, pediatrics, and professional development across multiple healthcare disciplines.

Why it's excellent: The unlimited subscription model works well if you need many hours. Courses are thorough and professionally developed. Multi-profession accreditation serves diverse healthcare workers.

Best for: Healthcare professionals needing significant continuing education hours. Teams purchasing group subscriptions.

Best Continuing Education for Teachers

4. Advancement Courses

Profession: K-12 teachers, administrators Cost: $59-79 per 1-credit course; $199-299 for 3-credit graduate courses Credits: Graduate credit through partner universities Approval: Accepted in all 50 states Platform: advancementcourses.com

What you'll learn: Classroom management, differentiation, technology integration, subject-specific pedagogy, special education, literacy, mathematics, and educational leadership.

Why it's excellent: Graduate-level credits that count toward salary advancement and license renewal. Self-paced format respects teachers' schedules. Practical focus on classroom application.

Best for: Teachers needing recertification credits or salary advancement. Educators in all subject areas and grade levels.

5. edWeb.net (Free Professional Development)

Profession: Educators at all levels Cost: Free Credits: Participation certificates; some offer CEU credits Approval: Varies by state and webinar Platform: edweb.net

What you'll learn: Educational technology, innovative teaching methods, curriculum development, assessment, and emerging educational trends through live and archived webinars.

Why it's excellent: Completely free professional learning featuring education experts and thought leaders. Current topics on emerging trends. Live format allows real-time questions.

Best for: Teachers who want free, current professional development. Supplementing paid continuing education with timely topics.

Best Continuing Education for Real Estate Professionals

6. Kaplan Real Estate Education

Profession: Real estate agents and brokers Cost: Varies by state ($50-300 for required courses) Credits: State-specific continuing education hours Approval: State-approved in all 50 states Platform: kaplanrealestateeducation.com

What you'll learn: State-specific real estate law, ethics, fair housing, contracts, agency, and specialty topics required for license renewal.

Why it's excellent: Kaplan is the largest real estate education provider with state-specific courses meeting exact requirements. User-friendly platform with mobile access.

Best for: Real estate professionals in any state needing license renewal courses.

7. Real Estate Express

Profession: Real estate agents, brokers Cost: State-dependent ($50-200) Credits: State continuing education Approval: State-approved nationwide Platform: realestateexpress.com

What you'll learn: State-required continuing education topics plus elective courses on marketing, technology, negotiation, and business development.

Why it's excellent: Combines required courses with practical business-building electives. Frequently offers discounts. Straightforward platform focuses on efficiency.

Best for: Agents who want to complete requirements quickly and affordably while learning practical business skills.

Best Continuing Education for Legal Professionals

8. Lawline (Attorneys)

Profession: Attorneys Cost: Subscription model starting at $199/year Credits: CLE credits approved in all states Approval: State-approved nationwide Platform: lawline.com

What you'll learn: Legal topics across all practice areas, ethics, professional responsibility, and state-specific law updates. Live webinars and on-demand courses.

Why it's excellent: Unlimited CLE model means you can take as many courses as needed. Covers all jurisdictions and practice areas. Credit tracking and reporting included.

Best for: Attorneys needing significant CLE hours. Multi-state practitioners. Lawyers who want diverse subject matter.

9. CLE by West (Thomson Reuters)

Profession: Attorneys Cost: Individual courses $50-300; subscriptions available Credits: CLE credits by state Approval: Approved in applicable jurisdictions Platform: Westlaw CLE

What you'll learn: Practice-specific legal education from legal experts and practitioners. Case law updates, statutory changes, and practical skills development.

Why it's excellent: Integration with Westlaw research platform. High-quality content from experienced practitioners. Focus on practical application.

Best for: Attorneys already using Westlaw. Practitioners who want in-depth, practice-specific education.

Best Continuing Education for Financial Professionals

10. AICPA Learning (CPAs)

Profession: Certified Public Accountants Cost: $89-500 per course; subscriptions available Credits: CPE credits Approval: NASBA-approved Platform: aicpa.org/learning

What you'll learn: Accounting standards updates, tax law changes, audit techniques, financial reporting, ethics, and specialized accounting topics.

Why it's excellent: AICPA is the premier professional organization for CPAs. Content reflects current standards and regulatory changes. NASBA approval ensures nationwide acceptance.

Best for: CPAs needing high-quality, authoritative continuing education.

11. CPE Depot

Profession: CPAs, enrolled agents, financial advisors Cost: Individual courses $15-100; unlimited subscriptions $199/year Credits: CPE credits Approval: NASBA-approved Platform: cpedepot.com

What you'll learn: Accounting, auditing, tax, finance, and business topics. Self-study courses and webinars across specialties.

Why it's excellent: Affordable pricing with quality content. Unlimited subscription model works well for professionals needing many hours. User-friendly platform.

Best for: CPAs on tight budgets. Professionals needing numerous credits annually.

Best Continuing Education for Engineers

12. PDH Academy

Profession: Professional Engineers (PE) Cost: Individual courses $20-100; subscriptions available Credits: Professional Development Hours (PDHs) Approval: State-approved for engineering boards nationwide Platform: pdhacademy.com

What you'll learn: Engineering topics across all disciplines, ethics, professional practice, technical subjects, and emerging technologies.

Why it's excellent: Courses written by licensed professional engineers. State-specific courses ensure compliance. Instant certificates and credit tracking.

Best for: Professional Engineers in any discipline needing PDH credits.

13. PDH Online

Profession: Engineers, architects, surveyors Cost: $20-120 per course Credits: PDH credits Approval: State engineering boards Platform: pdhonline.com

What you'll learn: Technical engineering content, codes and standards, professional ethics, project management, and specialty engineering topics.

Why it's excellent: Technical depth appropriate for practicing engineers. Covers multiple disciplines and specialties. Established provider with long track record.

Best for: Engineers who want rigorous technical content. Multi-discipline practices.

Best Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals

14. CE4Less (Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists)

Profession: LPCs, LCSWs, MFTs, psychologists Cost: $10-50 per course; unlimited annual plans $99-199 Credits: CEUs for multiple mental health licenses Approval: State-approved and nationally accredited Platform: ce4less.com

What you'll learn: Clinical topics, therapy techniques, ethics, assessment, diagnosis, special populations, and evidence-based practices.

Why it's excellent: Affordable courses for multiple mental health professions. Unlimited plans provide excellent value. Clinical content is practical and current.

Best for: Mental health professionals needing cost-effective continuing education.

15. Zur Institute

Profession: Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, counselors Cost: Subscription model starting at $59/year Credits: CEUs for multiple licenses Approval: Multiple state and national approvals Platform: zurinstitute.com

What you'll learn: Ethics, boundaries, documentation, risk management, specialty clinical topics, and professional development.

Why it's excellent: Dr. Ofer Zur is a recognized expert in professional ethics. Courses are thoughtful and challenge conventional thinking. Particularly strong on ethics and boundaries.

Best for: Mental health professionals who want ethics-focused continuing education. Practitioners interested in thoughtful professional development.

How to Choose Quality Continuing Education

Verify state approval first: Before enrolling, confirm your state board accepts credits from the provider for your specific license.

Check accreditation: Look for courses from accredited providers (ANCC for nurses, NASBA for CPAs, state bar associations for attorneys, etc.).

Read recent reviews: Course quality and provider responsiveness can change. Recent reviews indicate current experience.

Evaluate content relevance: Choose courses that actually advance your practice, not just easy credits. Your professional growth matters.

Compare pricing models: Individual courses vs. unlimited subscriptions. Calculate what's most economical for your needs.

Consider time commitment: Self-paced vs. scheduled courses. Ensure the format fits your schedule realistically.

Test customer service: Contact providers with questions before enrolling. Responsive support matters when issues arise.

Avoiding Continuing Education Pitfalls

Don't wait until the last minute: License expiration deadlines create stress. Complete credits throughout the renewal period.

Verify credit reporting: Confirm the provider reports to your state board or that you receive proper documentation.

Keep detailed records: Save all certificates and completion documentation. States audit renewals and won't accept "the provider should have that."

Meet specific requirements: General credits often aren't enough. Many licenses require ethics, law updates, or specialty topics.

Avoid credit mills: If courses seem suspiciously easy or providers guarantee easy credits, be cautious. Your license and professional competence matter.

Check expiration dates: Some states limit how old credits can be. Don't complete courses too far in advance of renewal.

Making Continuing Education Valuable

Choose relevant topics: Select courses that actually help your practice. CE should improve your professional capabilities.

Take notes and apply: Don't just click through for credit. Engage with material and implement what you learn.

Track interesting resources: Many courses reference tools, research, or resources worth bookmarking for future use.

Share with colleagues: Discussing CE topics with peers reinforces learning and benefits your workplace.

Maintain a learning plan: Rather than random course selection, plan continuing education around professional development goals.

Use CE for skill building: Expand capabilities into new areas or deepen expertise in specialties through strategic course selection.

Free vs. Paid Continuing Education

Free CE works when: Legitimate free providers (like Medscape for healthcare) offer quality content. You're exploring topics before deeper study. Budget is extremely tight.

Invest in paid CE when: You need guaranteed state-approved credits. Higher quality content justifies cost. Paid courses offer better learning experience.

Cost-benefit analysis: Consider your time valuable. A $50 course completed in two hours may be better than a free course requiring six hours of frustration.

Conclusion

Continuing education in 2026 offers unprecedented flexibility and quality through online platforms. The days of mandatory weekend seminars in uncomfortable hotel chairs are largely over for professionals willing to embrace digital learning.

The best online continuing education courses provide legitimate credits that keep you licensed while offering content that genuinely advances your professional capabilities. They respect your time, fit your schedule, and deliver value beyond mere compliance.

Choose providers carefully, verify state approval, select relevant content, and approach continuing education as professional development rather than just license maintenance. Your license requires it, but your professional growth benefits from it.