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Free Nursing CE Courses Online
Explore our diverse array of comprehensive courses here.
Platinum Learning CE gives nurses free access to a full course library covering patient safety, infection prevention, pain management, mental health nursing, and other core practice topics. Nurses use free nursing CE courses to meet license renewal requirements, build clinical knowledge, and support professional development between renewal periods.
Each course includes reading material, a post-test, and a certificate available for purchase once the course is complete. This page covers course topics, how the free-to-learn model works, California renewal requirements, and answers to common questions about free nursing CEUs.
Platinum Learning is an approved CE Provider By the BRN and BVNPT
Platinum Learning CE is ANCC-accredited (NCPD) and approved by both the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider #17838) and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT #15144 for LVNs, #15030 for LPTs). RNs, LVNs, psychiatric technicians, and nurse practitioners use our library to meet license renewal requirements and build clinical knowledge — no subscription, no credit card, no cost until you need proof of completion.
California Registered Nurse 30 Contact Hours CE Package
$35
- Substance Use Disorders and Implications for Nursing
- The Impact of Advances in Obesity Science on Nursing Care
- Chronic Pain: Assessment and Management
- Recognizing Implicit Bias and Its Effects on Nursing Care
- Domestic Violence, a Significant Public Health Problem
- Nursing Care for Patients Who Have Experienced Trauma
- Pornography Addiction: Recognition and Treatment
- Resilience in Nursing
- Neurocognitive Disorders: A Review
California Licensed Vocational Nurse 30 Contact Hours CE Package
$29.99
- Substance Use Disorders and Implications for Nursing
- The Impact of Advances in Obesity Science on Nursing Care
- Chronic Pain: Assessment and Management
- Recognizing Implicit Bias and Its Effects on Nursing Care
- Domestic Violence, a Significant Public Health Problem
- Nursing Care for Patients Who Have Experienced Trauma
- Pornography Addiction: Recognition and Treatment
- Resilience in Nursing
- Neurocognitive Disorders: A Review
California Licensed Psychiatric Technicians 30 Contact Hours CE Package
$29.99
- Substance Use Disorders and Implications for Nursing
- The Impact of Advances in Obesity Science on Nursing Care
- Chronic Pain: Assessment and Management
- Recognizing Implicit Bias and Its Effects on Nursing Care
- Domestic Violence, a Significant Public Health Problem
- Nursing Care for Patients Who Have Experienced Trauma
- Pornography Addiction: Recognition and Treatment
- Resilience in Nursing
- Neurocognitive Disorders: A Review
Courses Membership
$49.99 / Year
Yearly Course
- Access our library of courses where our experts address a wide range of issues encountered in practice using the most relevant evidence-based facts.
Get access to the entire course library
with an annual subscription for $49.99 only!
Note: You can access and review all course content for free. Payment is only required if you want to purchase the official certificate after completing the course.
REVIEW COURSES FOR FREE & PAY
ONLY WHEN CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED.
Nursing Management of Patients Using Marijuana and Other Cannabis Products
Infection Control and Barrier Precautions
Medical Error Prevention
Enhancing Empathy and Rapport for Nursing Care
Pornography Addiction: Recognition and Treatment
Preventative Care: Annual COVID and Flu Updates
Chronic Pain: Assessment and Management
Domestic Violence, a Significant Public Health Problem
Nursing Care for Patients Who Have Experienced Trauma
HIV Primary Care: A Review
Neurocognitive Disorders: A Review
Substance Use Disorders and Implications for Nursing
Resilience in Nursing
Recognizing Implicit Bias and Its Effects on Nursing Care
Developing Effective Patient Education Materials
Complimentary Alternative Medicine (Dietary Supplements)
The Impact of Advances in Obesity Science on Nursing Care
How the Free-to-Learn Model Works
Reading, coursework, and the post-test are free from the first click. You only pay if you decide to download an official certificate afterward.
- Choose your path & pick the package for your license type, or browse individual courses.
- Review the courses at your own pace, on any device.
- Complete each course and pass the required knowledge check.
- Generate your certificate instantly download or print it the moment you finish.
- Renew with confidence submit through your board’s system and keep certificates on file.
You get to judge whether a course fits your renewal needs before spending anything, and a 30-day money-back guarantee covers you if it turns out it doesn’t.
Why Choose Platinum Learning CE
Platinum Learning CE provides ANCC-accredited and California board-approved nursing CE courses with a simple approach: learn for free, pay only for certification, and complete renewal requirements easily.
Free Course Access
Access full course content and assessments without subscription fees or upfront costs.
Self-Paced Learning
Study anytime, anywhere with saved progress across devices, making CE completion easier for busy nurses.
Affordable Certificate Pricing
Choose clear, upfront certificate pricing with 30-contact-hour packages starting at $29.99 for LVNs and psychiatric technicians and $35 for RNs.
Instant Certificate Delivery
Download your certificate immediately after payment without waiting.
Mobile-Friendly Learning
Complete courses on any device with seamless progress syncing.
Platinum Learning CE vs. a Typical CE Provider
| Feature | Platinum Learning CE | Typical CE Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Free course content | ✅ | ❌ Usually paywalled |
| Pay only for the certificate | ✅ | ❌ Often bundled upfront |
| Self-paced, no deadlines | ✅ | ✅ |
| Instant certificate delivery | ✅ | ⚠️ Sometimes delayed |
| California-specific, board-by-board | ✅ RN, LVN, LPT, APRN tracked separately | ⚠️ Often a generic 50-state template |
| ANCC + BRN + BVNPT approval | ✅ BRN #17838 · BVNPT #15144 / #15030 | ⚠️ Varies by provider |
| Mobile-friendly | ✅ | ⚠️ Varies |
| Refund if a course isn’t a fit | ✅ 30-day money-back | ⚠️ Rare |
California Nursing CE Information
California sets specific continuing education (CE) rules for nurses, and requirements vary by license type and renewal history. The sections below explain who needs CE, required hours, and how contact hours apply toward license renewal.
Who Needs Nursing CE in California
Registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), psychiatric technicians (PTs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) need continuing education to renew an active California license.
The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) oversees CE requirements for RNs and APRNs, while the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) manages requirements for LVNs and PTs.
Nurses renewing their license for the first time after initial licensure are generally exempt from the standard CE hour requirement. However, a one-time implicit bias course is required within the first two years of licensure.
Nurses can review license-specific requirements through our RN CE requirements, LVN CE requirements, psychiatric technician CE requirements, and nurse practitioner CE requirements pages.
California License Renewal Requirements
California RNs and LVNs renew their active licenses every two years and must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education during each renewal period under California Code of Regulations, Title 16.
Psychiatric technicians follow the same 30-hour, two-year renewal cycle under BVNPT rules.
First-time license renewals do not require the 30-hour CE requirement but must complete a one-time one-hour implicit bias course within the first two years of licensure.
APRNs with prescriptive authority and an active DEA registration may need additional education on Schedule II controlled substances. APRNs serving patient populations where 25% or more patients are age 65 or older must complete six of their 30 hours in gerontology or dementia-related care.
Accepted Contact Hours
California accepts contact hours from continuing education providers approved by the BRN or BVNPT.
Platinum Learning CE holds approval from both boards and accreditation from the ANCC, providing California-approved nursing CE courses.
One contact hour typically equals 50 to 60 minutes of course time, and California does not limit the number of online contact hours nurses can complete.
Nurses should keep CE certificates for four years, as state boards may request proof of completion during a license audit.
Popular Nursing CE Topics
Nurses search for CE credit across a wide range of clinical topics, and five categories account for much of that demand.
Patient Care
Patient care courses cover assessment, communication, and daily care planning across hospital, clinic, and home health settings. Nurses use these courses to reinforce core skills and adapt care plans for patients with complex or chronic needs. Course topics include trauma-informed care, patient education, and empathy-driven communication.
Clinical Skills
Clinical skills courses review hands-on procedures, safety checks, and documentation standards nurses apply during a shift. Course content includes infection control, barrier precautions, and error-prevention practices tested against current clinical guidance. Nurses across acute and long-term care settings use these courses to refresh technique.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology courses cover medication classes, dosing considerations, and safety practices tied to common patient conditions. Course topics include substance use disorders, medication-related risk, and safe administration practices nurses apply across care settings. Advanced practice nurses with prescriptive authority find added detail on controlled substances.
Emergency Nursing
Emergency nursing courses cover rapid assessment, triage, and time-sensitive decision-making nurses apply in urgent care and emergency department settings. Course topics include trauma response, domestic violence recognition, and acute symptom management. Nurses in fast-paced units use these courses to sharpen quick-response skills.
Chronic Disease Management
Chronic disease management courses cover long-term conditions such as chronic pain, obesity, and neurocognitive disorders. Course content reviews current treatment research and care planning nurses use across outpatient and long-term care settings. Nurses managing patients with ongoing conditions use these courses to stay current on evidence-based practice.
Why Pay Only for Your Certificate
Platinum Learning CE separates learning from certification for four main reasons.
Learn Before You Pay
A nurse reviews full course content and completes the assessment before any payment is requested. This order lets a nurse confirm a course fits their renewal needs, license type, and state requirements before deciding whether to purchase the certificate.
No Subscription Required
Free courses carry no recurring charge and no subscription commitment. A nurse pays once, only for the certificate they need, instead of maintaining a monthly or annual plan to keep access to course content.
No Upfront Cost
Signup, course access, and the assessment stay free from the first step. A nurse never enters payment information to create an account, browse the course library, or complete a lesson and post-test.
Receive Your Certificate Instantly
A purchased certificate downloads right after payment clears, with no processing delay or manual review. A nurse renewing close to a deadline gets a usable document the same day, ready for upload to a state renewal system or employer file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these nursing CE courses really free to review?
Yes. Every course opens without a paywall, and you can read the full lesson and take the post-test before deciding whether you need the certificate.
When do I need to pay?
Only at the certificate step — after you’ve reviewed the material and completed the required knowledge check. Full 30-hour packages cost less per course than buying certificates individually.
Is the certificate included with the free course?
The certificate is generated as part of your package once you complete the course. It lists the course title, completion date, and contact hours earned, and downloads instantly.
Are these courses accepted in California?
How many contact hours can I earn?
Can I study on my phone?
What if I don't finish before my renewal date?
Is the implicit bias course a one-time requirement?
- Ready When You Are