Cheap CEUs for Therapists

Continuing education is more than a box to check on your license renewal. It is the backbone of growth as a therapist. It keeps you current with new research, sharpens your skills, and ensures you are delivering the highest quality care to your clients. The tricky part is that CEUs can be pricey, and for many therapists juggling full caseloads and personal responsibilities, the added financial pressure feels overwhelming.

The encouraging news is that affordable continuing education does not have to mean second-rate learning. Cheap CEUs for therapists are available, offering access to respected instructors, practical tools, and specialized topics that genuinely improve your practice while keeping costs low.

In this article, we will explore how to find CEUs that respect both your time and your budget. You will discover resources like Agents of Change Continuing Education, learn strategies for saving money, and get answers to common CEU questions. By the end, you will feel confident about maintaining your license, strengthening your expertise, and keeping expenses under control.

Did you know? Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ ASWB and NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet your state’s requirements for Continuing Education credits and level up your career

We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with Continuing Education, learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 5 free CEUs.

1) Cheap CEUs for Therapists: Where to Start

The search for affordable CEUs can feel overwhelming at first, especially when every provider claims to have the “best” courses. The truth is, not all CEU options are created equal, and price doesn’t always match quality. So where do you actually begin when you’re trying to stretch your professional development dollars without sacrificing substance?

1. Explore Subscription-Based Models

One of the smartest ways to save money is by choosing a provider that offers a yearly subscription. Instead of paying for individual courses, you pay one flat fee and gain access to a library of CEUs. This model works especially well if you need many credits during your renewal cycle.

For example, Agents of Change Continuing Education provides unlimited access to more than 150 ASWB and NBCC-approved courses for just $99 per year, which is significantly less than what many providers charge for only a handful of classes.

2. Look Into Free CEU Opportunities

While free CEUs won’t cover all your requirements, they’re a valuable supplement. Certain organizations offer free courses that are fully approved and designed with practical, real-world content. You can explore free CEU options from Agents of Change here. Professional associations like NASW or ACA also occasionally include free or heavily discounted CEUs as part of membership perks.

3. Consider Your Learning Style

Ask yourself: do you learn best with self-paced courses, or do you thrive in live, interactive settings? Some providers focus only on pre-recorded modules, while others, like Agents of Change Continuing Education, host 10 or more live events each year in addition to on-demand courses. Live options can be especially useful if your state requires a certain number of “synchronous” credits.

4. Verify Accreditation Before You Commit

It’s not enough for a course to be cheap. You need to ensure it will actually count toward your license renewal. Always check that the provider is accredited by recognized bodies such as ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) or NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors).

5. Tap Into Local and University Programs

Some universities and community organizations offer reasonably priced workshops or webinars. While these aren’t always as convenient as online subscriptions, they can be great for networking while earning affordable CEUs.

6. Compare the True Cost

A course that looks inexpensive on the surface may not be the bargain it appears. For example, if one provider charges $40 per credit and you need 20 credits, that adds up fast. In contrast, a $99 annual subscription gives you unlimited learning opportunities. Always calculate the total cost based on your actual CEU requirements.

Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education. We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with their continuing education, and we want you to be next!

2) Free CEUs from Agents of Change Continuing Education

If you’re looking for affordable ways to earn continuing education credits, Agents of Change Continuing Education offers free CEU opportunities as part of their lineup.

They’re committed to supporting mental health professionals by providing high-quality content without cost barriers. Here’s a closer look at what they offer and how you can access those free courses.

What’s included in the free offerings

On the Agents of Change website, you’ll find a page for Free Mental Health Continuing Education Content.

A course entitled ChatGPT and AI for Mental Health Professionals that provides 3 free CE credits.
A course entitled Powerful Home-School Partnerships: Involving and Empowering Parents to Drive Student Success that provides 1.5 free CE credits.
Another free offering is Business Skills and Extra Income for Mental Health Professionals, which helps you build foundational business knowledge on top of your clinical skills.
They also provide free webinars, podcasts, and YouTube videos, which further support professional learning and growth.

Why This Matters

When you’re searching for cheap CEUs for therapists, free options can make a real difference. They ease the financial pressure while still helping you stay compliant with licensing requirements. With the free CEUs offered by Agents of Change Continuing Education, you can:

Earn required credits without dipping into your renewal budget
Explore fresh and relevant topics that go beyond traditional CEU courses, such as emerging approaches in therapy or innovative tools shaping clinical practice
Experience the quality and structure of their courses firsthand before deciding whether a $99 annual subscription is the right fit

How to access the free courses

Here’s how you can get started:

Visit the free CEU page at: Free CEUs – Agents of Change Agents of Change
Choose one of the free course offerings (like the ones above) and enroll.
Complete the content, pass any required assessment or post-test, and download your certificate of completion.
Check with your state licensing board to confirm the free course is accepted for your renewal. Although Agents of Change is approved by both ASWB and NBCC, each state may have specific rules.

Agents of Change has helped tens of thousands of Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with Continuing Education, learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 5 free CEUs!

3) How to Choose Affordable CEUs Without Sacrificing Quality

It’s tempting to jump at the cheapest CEU option you see, but as a therapist, you know that not every course will meet the standards required for licensure or truly benefit your practice. The trick is to balance affordability with reliability so you don’t waste money or time on courses that won’t count.

Here are some practical steps to guide your decision-making:

Confirm Accreditation First

The most important step is verifying that the provider is accredited. CEUs must be recognized by your state licensing board to count. Look for approvals from:

ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) for social workers
NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) for counselors
Other relevant state boards or associations depending on your discipline

If you’re unsure, check your state’s CEU guidelines and compare them with the provider’s listed accreditations. Providers like Agents of Change Continuing Education clearly display these details, making the process straightforward.

Review the Course Topics

Cheap CEUs should still enhance your practice. Before you commit, scan the course catalog to see if the topics align with your professional goals. Quality providers offer a wide range of subjects, including:

Trauma-informed care and PTSD interventions
Ethics in mental health practice
Teletherapy best practices
Cultural competence and diversity in counseling
Mindfulness and stress-reduction strategies

When you see courses that feel practical and timely, that’s usually a good sign you’re investing wisely.

Evaluate the Learning Format

Different therapists prefer different learning styles. Make sure the provider offers formats that suit your style and meet licensing requirements:

Self-paced modules for flexibility
Live webinars or events for interactive learning, and states that require synchronous credits
Downloadable resources or reading material for quick reference later

For example, Agents of Change Continuing Education offers both self-paced options and live events throughout the year, so you can choose what works best for your needs.

Check Transparency and Support

High-quality CEU providers are upfront about:

The number of credits each course provides
How certificates are issued and stored
Which states accept their credits

They also have accessible customer support in case you run into technical issues or have licensing questions. If this information is vague or difficult to find, it’s worth reconsidering.

Compare Overall Value, Not Just Price

A single “cheap” course might save you money today, but if you need 20+ credits, the costs can add up quickly. Instead of focusing only on per-course pricing, consider the bigger picture:

Subscription services like Agents of Change Continuing Education cost $99 per year and include unlimited access to 150+ courses plus 10+ live events annually.
Paying per course at other providers could easily run $30–$70 per credit, which adds up fast if you need multiple CEUs.

Look at the total cost of fulfilling your requirements, not just the sticker price of one course.

4) FAQs – Cheap CEUs for Therapists

Q: Are cheap CEUs for therapists really worth it?

A: Absolutely. The word “cheap” often gets confused with “low quality,” but that doesn’t have to be the case. Affordable CEUs can be just as rigorous and valuable as expensive ones, provided they’re approved by recognized accrediting bodies like ASWB or NBCC.

Many therapists actually prefer subscription-based models because they offer unlimited access to courses at a flat yearly rate, which lowers the cost per credit dramatically. For example, Agents of Change Continuing Education provides access to more than 150 approved courses for $99 a year, making it one of the most cost-effective and reliable options available.

Q: Can I meet all of my CEU requirements with online courses?

A: In many states, yes, you can. Online CEUs are widely accepted, but the exact rules vary depending on your license and location. Some states require that a portion of your credits be completed through live or synchronous events.

That’s why it’s important to double-check your state board’s guidelines before relying solely on self-paced courses. The good news is that providers like Agents of Change Continuing Education offer both self-paced options and over 10 live events annually, making it easier to meet different state requirements without needing to switch providers.

Q: How can I tell if a CEU provider is legitimate?

A: A legitimate CEU provider will always list their accreditations and approvals clearly on their website or course catalog. Look for organizations like ASWB, NBCC, APA, or state boards as evidence of recognition. You should also confirm that their courses issue certificates of completion with the number of CEUs earned, as these documents are necessary for your license renewal.

Reputable providers are transparent, have responsive customer service, and often share reviews or testimonials from other therapists. Agents of Change Continuing Education, for instance, is upfront about their approvals and offers easy access to certificates, ensuring that you’re never left wondering whether your hard work will count.

5) Conclusion

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► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: https://agentsofchangetraining.com

About the Instructor, 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 8 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.

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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

Cheap CEUs for Therapists

Cheap CEUs for Therapists