CE credits keep your certification active, but they do not have to drain your bank account. Several certifying bodies offer free CEU courses, and outside providers run free webinars that count toward renewal. Here is where to find them, which orgs accept them, and what to watch out for.
Which orgs accept free CEUs?
All five major certifying bodies accept at least some free continuing education. The rules vary by org:
| Organization | Free CEUs Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NASM | Yes | Free webinars on NASM site; outside providers accepted if pre-approved |
| ACE | Yes | Free articles on ACE Fitness earn 0.1 CECs each; free provider courses accepted |
| ISSA | Yes | Free webinars available; outside NCCA-accredited provider courses accepted |
| NSCA | Yes | NSCA journal quizzes earn CEUs; approved provider courses accepted |
| ACSM | Yes | Free webinars on ACSM site; wide range of outside providers accepted |
Free CEU sources from the certifying bodies
- NASM free webinars — NASM hosts live and recorded webinars worth 0.1 to 0.2 CECs each. Check the NASM continuing education page for the current schedule.
- ACE free articles — ACE publishes CE-eligible articles on their website. Read the article, pass a short quiz, and earn 0.1 CECs. Stack enough and they add up.
- NSCA journal quizzes — The NSCA Strength and Conditioning Journal includes quizzes worth CEU credit. Free with NSCA membership.
- ACSM webinars — ACSM runs free webinars on topics like exercise oncology, cardiac rehab, and youth fitness. Check their events calendar.
- ISSA free courses — ISSA occasionally offers free mini-courses and webinars on trending topics. Sign up for their email list to get notified.
Free CEU providers outside the big five
Third-party providers also offer free courses that count toward renewal. Before you take any outside course, verify it is approved by your certifying body. Here are some reliable free options:
- MedBridge — Offers a free trial with access to CEU courses accepted by most orgs.
- PTontheNet — Free articles and some free CEU courses. NASM and ACE approved.
- Fitness equipment brands — TRX, Rogue, and others run free workshops and webinars that qualify for CEUs.
- State and regional conferences — Some fitness conferences offer free CE sessions for attendees.
How to verify a course is approved
Before you spend time on any free course, make sure your org will accept it. Here is how to check:
- 1Log into your certifying body portal and check the approved provider list.
- 2Look for the provider name and course ID on the approval list.
- 3If it is not listed, email your org before taking the course.
- 4Save your completion certificate. You will need it at renewal.
Limitations of free CEU courses
- Free courses tend to be shorter (0.1 to 0.3 credits each). You will need a lot of them to hit your full requirement.
- Some orgs cap how many credits can come from free sources or a single provider.
- Free webinars may not cover all required categories (like NSCA Category A).
- Availability changes. A free course today might be paid next month.
A smart free CEU strategy
Use free courses for the easy credits early in your cycle. Knock out 5 to 10 credits in the first year with free webinars and articles. Then use paid courses for the last 10 credits closer to your deadline. This keeps your total spend low without the stress of scrambling for free credits at the last minute.
Track your free CEUs with TrainerCE
Free CEU credits are easy to lose track of because they come in small amounts from different sources. TrainerCE lets you log every credit as you earn it, see your running total by category, and get reminders before your deadline. Free for one certification.