Overview of Free CEU Opportunities
Earning continuing education units does not have to mean spending hundreds of dollars each renewal cycle. A growing number of organizations, universities, and CEU providers offer free learning opportunities that count toward your BACB requirements. With some planning, you can cover a significant portion of your CEUs at no cost.
Monthly Free Webinars
Several organizations host recurring free webinars that offer BACB-approved CEUs. These are among the most reliable and consistent free CEU sources available.
Verbal Beginnings
Monthly Free Webinar Series
- Schedule: 4th Wednesday of every month
- Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM EST
- CEUs: 2 CEUs per session
- Format: Live webinar
- Annual total: Up to 24 free CEUs per year
Verbal Beginnings is one of the most generous free CEU providers, offering 2 CEUs every single month. Topics cover a wide range of behavior analysis practice areas and are presented by experienced professionals.
APBA Journal Club
Monthly Research Discussion
- Schedule: Monthly
- Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EDT
- Format: Virtual discussion group
- Focus: Recent research articles and their implications for practice
The APBA Journal Club brings practitioners together to discuss current research. This is a great way to stay current on the literature while earning CEUs, and the lunchtime format makes it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
Provider Promotional Webinars
Many online CEU providers offer periodic free webinars as a way to introduce their platforms. These can be valuable opportunities to earn CEUs while sampling different providers.
- 123 Behavior Analyst CE: Has awarded over 4,800 free CEUs to date and regularly offers free promotional courses
- Various online providers: Many platforms offer free trial courses or periodic free webinars to attract new users
- University programs: Some university-based CEU providers host occasional free webinars open to the public
Free Online Courses
Beyond recurring webinars, several organizations offer self-paced online courses at no cost. These can be completed on your own schedule and often cover specialized topics.
AFIRM Modules (National Professional Development Center)
Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules
The AFIRM modules are developed by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder. They provide free, self-paced training on evidence-based practices for individuals with autism.
- Covers over 27 evidence-based practices
- Self-paced, available anytime
- Certificates of completion provided
- Topics include reinforcement, prompting, functional communication training, and more
State-Funded Training Programs
Many states fund training programs for behavior analysis professionals, particularly those working with individuals with developmental disabilities or in early intervention.
- Early intervention programs: State early intervention systems often provide free training to enrolled providers
- Department of developmental services: Many state DD agencies offer free training resources to qualified professionals
- Medicaid waiver programs: Training requirements for Medicaid-funded ABA services sometimes include free CEU-eligible trainings
Check with your state's health and human services department to find training opportunities specific to your region.
University Open-Access Content
Several universities with accredited behavior analysis programs make educational content available at no charge.
- Recorded conference presentations: Some universities archive and share conference talks and lectures
- Research seminars: University-hosted research seminars may be open to external attendees and offer CEU credit
- Guest lecture series: Open lectures on behavior analysis topics sometimes qualify for CEU credit
Conference Free Opportunities
Even paid conferences often include free components that can help you earn additional CEUs without extra cost.
State Organization Member Events
Many state ABA organizations host free monthly or quarterly CEU events for their members. The cost of membership alone often pays for itself through these free events.
| Organization | Free Events | CEUs Per Event |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona (AzABA) | Monthly Zoom events | 1 CEU |
| Delaware (DEABA) | Periodic free events | Varies |
| ABAI | Hundreds of free videos for members | Varies |
Check your specific state organization's website for current offerings and membership requirements.
Vendor-Sponsored Sessions
At most major ABA conferences, vendors and exhibitors sponsor free sessions as part of the exhibit hall experience.
- Exhibit hall presentations: Companies often host short presentations in their booth areas that may include CEU credit
- Poster sessions: Poster presentations at conferences are typically free to attend and can be a valuable learning experience
- Networking events: Some conferences include free networking sessions with CEU-eligible content
New Member Specials
Take Advantage of Welcome Offers
Many professional organizations offer free or discounted CEU opportunities to new members. When joining a state or national organization for the first time, ask about new member benefits including complimentary event access, free course credits, or discounted conference registration.
Journal & Publication-Based CEUs
Reading and reviewing published research can count toward your continuing education requirements. The BACB recognizes several scholarly activities as eligible for CEUs.
How Journal-Based CEUs Work
- Journal article reviews: Some BACB-authorized providers offer CEUs for completing structured reviews of published articles
- APBA Journal Club participation: Engaging in organized journal discussions qualifies for CEU credit
- Publishing research: If you author or co-author a peer-reviewed article in a behavior analysis journal, this can count toward your CEUs
Peer Review & Teaching Activities
If you teach, mentor, or engage in peer review activities, you may be able to earn CEUs through these professional contributions.
Peer Review
Serving as a peer reviewer for behavior analysis journals is a scholarly contribution that can qualify for CEU credit. Contact journal editors to learn about reviewer opportunities.
Teaching & Presenting
Developing and delivering CEU-eligible presentations can count toward your own CEU requirements. Guest lectures, conference presentations, and workshop facilitation are all potential sources.
Supervision Activities
BCBAs who provide supervision to RBTs or BCaBA candidates may earn supervision-specific CEUs through structured supervision activities and training.
Mentorship Programs
Some organizations offer structured mentorship programs that include CEU credit for both mentors and mentees. Check with your state organization for available programs.
Maximizing Free CEU Opportunities
Getting the most out of free CEU opportunities requires intentional planning. Here are strategies to help you maximize your free CEU intake.
Practical Strategies
- Subscribe to provider newsletters: Sign up for email lists from major CEU providers and state organizations. Free opportunities are often announced via email with limited-time availability.
- Follow social media accounts: Many CEU providers announce flash free offerings on social media platforms before updating their websites.
- Join professional communities: Online forums and social media groups for BCBAs and RBTs frequently share free CEU opportunities as members discover them.
- Set recurring calendar reminders: For predictable monthly events like Verbal Beginnings webinars and APBA Journal Club, set calendar reminders so you never miss a session.
- Track your categories: Make sure your free CEUs are distributed across the categories you need. Do not only pursue general learning CEUs if you still need ethics or supervision credits.
Creating a Free CEU Calendar
Building a personal calendar of free CEU events ensures you stay on track throughout the year. Here is a sample framework to get started.
Sample Annual Free CEU Plan
Every Month
- Verbal Beginnings webinar (4th Wednesday) - 2 CEUs
- APBA Journal Club (monthly) - CEUs vary
Quarterly
- State organization free member events - 1-2 CEUs each
- Check provider newsletters for promotional free courses
As Available
- AFIRM self-paced modules - complete 2-3 per year
- University open-access webinars
- Conference poster sessions and vendor presentations