Agents of Change vs. PESI: Which CE Is Better Value?

PESI is one of the best-known names in mental health training, with high-profile presenters, multi-day conferences, and certification programs. But if your goal is to meet your license renewal requirements without overspending, how PESI sells its trainings matters as much as what it teaches.

We recommend Agents of Change Continuing Education for most clinicians who need ongoing CE, because one $99/year subscription includes 200+ courses, unlimited credits, and 25+ live CE events. PESI is a strong choice for a specific specialized training or certification, but it sells those one at a time, and a single training often costs more than a full year of Agents of Change.

Published by Agents of Change. This comparison uses publicly available provider information reviewed on November 3, 2026; it is not a hands-on review of every platform. Prices, plans, and policies can change, so confirm details with each provider before purchasing.

We’ve helped more than 100,000 Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with exam prep and Continuing Education. Learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 7.5 free CEUs.

Jump to: At a Glance · Price and Value · Live CE · Formats and Library · Approvals · When PESI May Fit · Why We Recommend Agents of Change · FAQs · Next Steps

1) Agents of Change vs. PESI at a Glance

2) Compare Price and Value

PESI prices each training separately. At our review date, examples on PESI’s homepage and counselor page included:

PESI often shows a higher “value” or original price next to a sale price, so check the current price at checkout. Either way, if you need 20, 30, or 40 CE hours for your renewal, building that from individual PESI trainings usually costs far more than $99/year for unlimited Agents of Change courses and credits.

3) Compare Live CE Access

PESI hosts many live webinars, webcasts, and in-person seminars, often with well-known presenters. Each one is a separate purchase, and multi-day live webcasts can cost $299.99 or more.

Agents of Change includes 25+ live CE webinars a year in its $99 subscription, which it values at $2,000+. If you need live hours for your license, or simply learn better in an interactive setting, you can attend as many as your schedule allows without paying per event.

4) Compare Formats and Library Size

PESI’s catalog is enormous, and its range of formats, from books to in-person retreats, is a real strength. If you want a deep, multi-day dive into one specialty, PESI is hard to beat.

Agents of Change focuses on what most clinicians need for renewal: 200+ on-demand courses with new courses added every month, offered as video with visual slides, audio and podcast, live webinars, and research formats. You can watch, listen on your commute, or join live, all within one subscription.

5) Compare Approvals and Certificates

Agents of Change is an ASWB ACE Provider (#1919) and an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7620), with instant certificates and a free CE tracker to help you follow your state’s requirements.

PESI lists CE approvals on each product’s CE information page, and they can vary by training and profession. Before you buy, confirm that the specific PESI training is approved for your license and state.

6) When PESI May Be a Good Fit

PESI makes sense if you want a specific certification, such as a trauma or ADHD specialist credential, or a multi-day conference with a particular expert. Many clinicians use both: Agents of Change for their routine renewal hours and live CE, and a PESI training when they want a deep specialty credential.

7) Why We Recommend Agents of Change Over PESI

You need a full renewal’s worth of CE. One $99/year subscription covers unlimited credits, so you aren’t paying per training.

You want live learning without the per-event cost. 25+ live CE events a year are included.

You want flexible formats. Video, audio and podcast, live, and research formats let you learn in the way that fits your day.

You want predictable costs. No add-ons, no per-course fees, and no surprises at renewal time.

8) FAQs: Agents of Change vs. PESI

Q: Is PESI more expensive than Agents of Change?

A: For most clinicians, yes. PESI sells trainings individually, and at our review date even its lower-priced online courses started at $99.99, about the cost of a full year of Agents of Change. Agents of Change includes 200+ courses, unlimited credits, and 25+ live events for $99/year.

Q: Does PESI offer an unlimited CE subscription?

A: At our review date, PESI’s site listed trainings, certifications, and other products individually rather than as an unlimited CE plan. Check PESI directly for current options.

Q: Can I get live CE with Agents of Change?

A: Yes. Agents of Change includes 25+ live CE webinars a year in its $99 subscription.

Q: Are Agents of Change courses approved for social workers and counselors?

A: Yes. Agents of Change is an ASWB ACE Provider (#1919) and an NBCC ACEP (No. 7620). Your state board is the final authority on which courses it accepts, so confirm your board’s requirements.

9) Choose Agents of Change for Live and Recorded CE in One Subscription

Choose Agents of Change Continuing Education if you want 200+ ASWB ACE and NBCC-approved courses, 25+ live CE events a year, and multiple learning formats, all for $99/year. Start with 7.5 free CEUs, no subscription required, or see plans and pricing.

For the full picture, read our guide to the best mental health continuing education for therapists, social workers, and counselors.

Compare other CE providers: Agents of Change vs. NetCE · Agents of Change vs. ContinuED · Agents of Change vs. CE4Less · Agents of Change vs. Clearly Clinical · Agents of Change vs. NASW

Sources and current provider details

• Agents of Change: CE pricing and plans
• Agents of Change: Continuing education approvals and features
• PESI: Trainings and pricing
• PESI: Counselor trainings

Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education. We’ve helped more than 100,000 Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with exam prep and Continuing Education and want to help you next!

► Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com/continuing-education/

About the Lead Instructor, Dr. Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals for more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.