Quick summary: Wondering where to get accredited nursing CEUs online? Nurses can earn their required CEUs through hospital programs, professional associations, and dedicated CE platforms. The best options are from ANCC-accredited providers with flexible formats, and automatic CE Broker reporting. Elite Learning is a trusted choice for over 1 million nurses, offering 100+ courses across 25+ specialties, with membership options starting at $48/year.
License renewal deadlines have a way of sneaking up on you, especially when you’re working back-to-back shifts and balancing everything else that comes with a demanding clinical role. Knowing how to get online CEUs for nursing, and where to get CEUs that actually count toward your license, can save you a serious amount of stress.
Most states require nurses to complete a set number of continuing education (CE) contact hours every renewal cycle to maintain licensure. These requirements exist for good reason: nursing is an ever-evolving field, and ongoing education helps ensure safe, high-quality patient care. But not all CE providers deliver the same value. Accreditation, course variety, and flexibility all matter, and choosing the wrong provider can mean the hours you’ve worked toward don’t end up counting.
This guide covers what to look for in a CE provider, where to find accredited nursing CEUs online, and why Elite Learning stands out as a trusted platform for nurses at every career stage.
Explore nursing CEU options online
What should I look for in an accredited nursing CEU provider?
The most important factor is ANCC accreditation. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) sets the standard for nursing continuing professional development, and completing courses from an ANCC-accredited provider gives you confidence that your hours will be accepted by your state board.
Beyond accreditation, here’s what to look for:
- State-specific course packages that match your exact renewal requirements
- Multiple learning formats—text, video, and podcast options to suit different schedules and learning styles
- Automatic CE Broker reporting in approved states, so you don’t have to track submissions manually
- Qualified instructors with verifiable credentials and clinical expertise
- On-demand access so you can complete courses on your schedule, not someone else’s
Convenience matters just as much as quality. A CE provider that’s hard to navigate or only offers a handful of courses creates friction you don’t need.
Where to find accredited nursing CEUs online: Your best options
Nurses generally have three types of platforms to choose from: hospital-sponsored programs, professional associations (like the American Nurses Association), and dedicated online CE platforms. Each has its place, but dedicated platforms tend to offer the most flexibility: available 24/7, self-paced, and typically more affordable than in-person alternatives.
Among the best nursing CEU websites, Elite Learning is one of the most established options available. Trusted by over 1 million nurses and backed by parent company Colibri Healthcare—which is an ANCC-accredited provider—Elite Learning offers 100+ courses spanning 25+ specialties, with formats that include text, video, podcast, and webinar.
Elite Learning offers two membership tiers:
- Elite Nursing Passport Lite ($48/year): Includes your state-required nursing CEU package, 100+ courses, exclusive CE podcasts, enhanced deadline tracking, and automatic CE Broker reporting.
- Elite Nursing Passport ($99.99/year): Everything in Lite, plus specialty certification exam prep courses and question banks (CCRN, CEN, CMSRN), role transition courses for ICU, Med-Surg, and Emergency settings, a clinical skills video library, and a nursing interview simulator.
Both tiers make it straightforward to complete your required CE without scrambling close to a deadline.
Explore online nursing CEU membership options
Nursing CEUs for more than just license renewal
Completing your state requirements is the baseline. Elite Learning is built to support nurses beyond that at every stage of a clinical career.
A few standout features worth highlighting:
- CE Podcasts: Earn credit on the go by listening via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Nurses who commute or have limited desk time find this format especially practical.
- Specialty Certification Exam Prep: Dedicated courses and question banks for certifications like CCRN, CEN, and CMSRN help nurses prepare for high-stakes credential exams with structured, CE-eligible content.
- Role Transition Courses: Interactive training designed for nurses moving into new specialties—including ICU, Med-Surg, and Emergency—builds confidence during career pivots.
- Career Path Planning Tool: An assessment-based resource that gives nurses at any stage personalized guidance on where to focus their professional development.
- Nursing Interview Simulator: Real-time practice with feedback across eight nursing specialties, so you walk into interviews prepared.
Elite Learning courses have earned an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 80,000 reviews. These top ratings reflect both course quality and the credibility of Elite’s instructor team, which develops evidence-based content by nurses, for nurses.
Start earning your nursing CEUs today
Knowing where to get accredited nursing CEUs online is the first step. Choosing a provider that goes beyond the bare minimum is what makes the difference in the long run. You want one that’s thorough, flexible, and built to support your entire nursing career.
Elite Learning, operated by ANCC-accredited parent company Colibri Healthcare, checks every box. They have state-approved content, multiple learning formats, automatic reporting, and tools that support career growth well past renewal season. Starting at $48/year, it’s one of the most accessible options available for nurses who want quality without complexity.
Explore Elite Learning’s membership options and start earning CE credit today at elitelearning.com.
Frequently asked questions
What are nursing CEUs and why are they required?
Accredited nursing CEUs (continuing education units) measure completed continuing education. Most states require nurses to complete a set number of CE contact hours every renewal cycle (typically every two years) to maintain their license. Nursing CEU requirements by state vary, so checking your state board’s specific rules is essential.
How do I know if an online nursing CE course will be accepted by my state board?
Look for courses from an ANCC-accredited provider. Colibri Healthcare, Elite Learning’s parent company, is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). That means Elite Learning’s nursing CE courses meet the standard required by state boards.
How much does Elite Learning cost for nursing CEUs?
Elite Learning offers two tiers: the Elite Nursing Passport Lite at $48/year, which covers state-required CE and 100+ courses, and the Elite Nursing Passport at $99.99/year, which adds specialty exam prep, role transition courses, and career tools.
Does Elite Learning report completed CE hours automatically?
Yes. Elite automatically reports completed CE hours to CE Broker in approved states. Elite Learning also provides immediate certificate access upon course completion for your own records.
Is Elite Learning a good option for nurses pursuing specialty certifications?
The Elite Nursing Passport tier includes specialty certification exam prep CE courses and question banks for credentials including CCRN, CEN, and CMSRN. This makes it a practical option for nurses working toward or renewing a specialty certification.
