Agents of Change vs. NASW CE: Unlimited vs. Pay Per Course
NASW is the profession’s largest membership organization, and its Social Work Online CE Institute offers a wide range of courses. For many social workers, NASW is a natural first stop. But NASW sells CE course by course, so the cost depends on how many hours you need.
We recommend Agents of Change Continuing Education for completing a full renewal’s worth of CE, because $99/year covers unlimited credits, 200+ courses, and 25+ live CE events. NASW’s courses are a great option for a few specific hours, especially with member discounts.
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.
Quick answer: Why do we recommend Agents of Change over NASW?
- Unlimited credits for one price: $99/year, compared with NASW’s per-course pricing.
- Live CE included: 25+ live CE events a year, more than two a month.
- No membership required: You don’t need to pay NASW dues to get the best price.
- Approved for counselors, too: ASWB ACE and NBCC approval.
- NASW’s strength: NASW-branded courses and member discounts, with free CE through some member programs.
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 NASW May Fit · Why We Recommend Agents of Change · FAQs · Next Steps
1) Agents of Change vs. NASW at a Glance
| Feature | Agents of Change | NASW |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99/year for everything | Per course; most 1-credit self-study webinars are $30 (non-member pricing) |
| Live CE | 25+ live CE webinars a year, included | Some live remote offerings; most of the catalog is self-study |
| Library | 200+ on-demand courses, unlimited credits, new courses every month | A large catalog of mostly self-study courses through the Online CE Institute |
| Formats | Video with visual slides, audio and podcast, live webinars, and research formats | Webinars, webcasts, podcasts, presentations, and more |
| Approvals | ASWB ACE Provider #1919; NBCC ACEP No. 7620 | NASW |
| Certificates | Instant certificates and a free CE tracker | Issued per course |
2) Compare Price and Value
NASW’s Social Work Online CE Institute sells courses individually. At our review date, most one-hour, 1-credit self-study webinars were listed at $30 each, and a 3-credit ethics webinar was $75. NASW also sells a CE tracker for $40. Members may receive discounted prices.
| NASW CE Institute (example) | Credits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One-hour self-study webinars (most topics) | 1 | $30 |
| Sexual Harassment Prevention Training | 1 | $25 |
| Ethics and Integrated Health Care | 3 | $75 |
| Ethics Essentials (live discussion) | 1.5 | $35 |
| NASW CE Tracker | None | $40 |
At about $30 per credit hour, a 30-hour renewal would cost around $900 at non-member prices. With Agents of Change, the same 30 hours, plus 25+ live events and a free CE tracker, cost $99/year.
| Option | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Agents of Change Unlimited CE + Live Events | $99/year | 200+ courses, unlimited credits, 25+ live events a year |
| NASW CE Institute | About $30 per credit hour (about $900 for 30 hours) | Individual courses; member discounts |
If you only need a few hours, NASW’s individual courses can make sense. For a full renewal cycle, $99/year for unlimited credits is hard to beat.
3) Compare Live CE Access
NASW’s catalog includes some live remote offerings, though most courses are self-study. Each is purchased separately.
Agents of Change includes 25+ live CE webinars a year in its $99 subscription, more than two a month, so you can attend live sessions without paying per event.
4) Compare Formats and Library
NASW offers webinars, webcasts, podcasts, and presentations, and its CE Institute catalog is large, with most courses offered as self-study.
Agents of Change offers 200+ courses with unlimited credits, in video with visual slides, audio and podcast, live webinars, and research formats, with new courses added every month.
5) Compare Approvals for Your License
NASW’s courses carry NASW approval, which is widely recognized for social workers. Check your board’s requirements.
Agents of Change is an ASWB ACE Provider (#1919) and an NBCC ACEP (No. 7620), so it works for social workers and counselors. It also offers a free CE tracker (NASW’s CE Tracker is $40) and instant certificates.
6) When NASW May Be a Good Fit
NASW may fit if you’re already a member and only need a few specific hours, want NASW-branded training on a particular topic, or can earn free CE through NASW member programs. Many social workers keep their NASW membership for advocacy and resources and use Agents of Change for the bulk of their CE.
7) Why We Recommend Agents of Change Over NASW
You need a full renewal’s worth of hours. Unlimited credits for $99/year.
You want live CE included. 25+ live events a year.
You don’t want to pay membership dues for a discount. One price for everyone.
You work across disciplines. ASWB ACE and NBCC approval.
8) FAQs: Agents of Change vs. NASW
Q: Does NASW offer unlimited CE?
A: At our review date, NASW sold CE Institute courses individually, with member discounts, rather than as an unlimited plan.
Q: Is NASW CE cheaper for members?
A: Yes, members receive discounted prices, and some programs offer free CE. Agents of Change offers unlimited credits for $99/year with no membership required.
Q: Can I use NASW and Agents of Change together?
A: Yes. Many social workers keep their NASW membership and use Agents of Change for most of their renewal hours and live CE.
Q: Are Agents of Change courses approved for social workers?
A: Yes. Agents of Change is an ASWB ACE Provider (#1919). It’s also an NBCC ACEP (No. 7620) for counselors.
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. PESI · Agents of Change vs. NetCE · Agents of Change vs. ContinuED · Agents of Change vs. CE4Less · Agents of Change vs. Clearly Clinical
Sources and current provider details
- Agents of Change: CE pricing and plans
- Agents of Change: Continuing education approvals and features
- NASW: Continuing education
- NASW: Social Work Online CE Institute course catalog and prices
- NASW: Ethics live discussion example
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.
Written by Agents of Change
Agents of Change will help you prepare to PASS your licensing exam and level up your career. With over 30 hours of visual and audio content, mock practice questions, test-taking tips, and strategies to break down and synthesize exam content, you will be prepared and confident to tackle your exam on test day!
