One of my favorite things about becoming a mental health CE provider is that you can get started relatively quickly using the knowledge, business structure, and connections you already have. Teaching CEs is a meaningful way to get out of the therapy chair while giving back to the profession you love.

And yes, you can do it in your own solo or group practice without needing to work for a big corporate CE company. I’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurial therapists do exactly that.

So if you’re ready to share your expertise, grow your income, and support your colleagues in the process, this one’s for you.

(Side note: Most organizations don't use the term CEU; they use CE or CE hours.)

What’s Changing in the CE World in 2026?

CE rules themselves haven’t dramatically changed, but enforcement absolutely has.

In 2025 and heading into 2026, approving bodies like ASWB, NBCC, and state boards are paying much closer attention to how CEs are built and delivered, not just what the topic is. I’m seeing increased scrutiny around learning objectives, potential for commercial bias, on-demand course structure, and whether all of the materials match each other perfectly (ie the objectives are identical everywhere).

Translation: “Close enough” is no longer good enough. Getting this right from the beginning saves you time, money, and a lot of rework later.

5 Steps to Becoming a CE Provider

Becoming an approved CE provider for mental health professionals can feel complex at first. But when you break it into small steps, it becomes completely doable. Here’s how I walk my clients through it.

Stage 1: Plan 

Before you do anything else, decide which CE approving organization you want to apply to. This decision shapes everything that follows.

Common options include the ASWB ACE Program, the NBCC ACEP Program, the APA CESA Program, and many state boards. Each has very specific rules about what qualifies for CE credit and a different process for applying.

For example, as a social worker, I can’t teach business-related topics for ASWB credit. Even topics that feel universally helpful, like self-care or burnout, can be tricky depending on how they’re framed.

In 2026, boards are also enforcing:

• Clear, measurable learning objectives
• Neutral, non-promotional language
• Tight alignment between objectives, agenda, evaluation, and certificate

So don’t jump straight into building slides. First, choose your board, review their guidelines carefully, and plan from there.

Stage 2: Build

Once you know who you’re applying to and what they require, you can start outlining your course and gathering materials.

Most CE applications require:

• A detailed course description with learning objectives

• A timed agenda

• Instructor bios, CVs, and proof of licensure

• Evaluations (and post-test, if on-demand)

• Certificates and sign-in or attendance tracking

• For on-demand courses, the entire thing needs to be built out and operational before applying

  Only after approval do I recommend fully building out all of your talking points. Practice matters, but compliance matters more.

A quick note about on-demand CEs:

If you plan to offer your course on-demand, most boards now require additional safeguards, including a timed agenda, a passing post-test (often 80–85%), clear completion requirements, and technology disclosures. On-demand CEs are powerful for recurring and scalable income, but they need to be built intentionally.

For a complete list of materials, get my free CE Course Planning Checklist here.

Stage 3: Fill

If you’re not teaching under a larger organization, you’re responsible for marketing your own CEs. The good news is, you already have a network!

You can promote your training through:

• Professional Facebook groups
• Your email list (Start one now if you don't have one yet)
• State or national association directories
• Paid ads
• SEO-optimized content like this blog

In 2026, therapists are also finding CEs through Google search and AI tools like ChatGPT, not just social media. Clear titles, descriptions, and searchable language matter more than ever.

And no, you don’t need a massive audience. Strategic visibility beats follower count every time.

Stage 4: Deliver

This is the fun part! You planned, built, and filled your course. Now it’s time to teach.

CE courses can be delivered:

• Live online (Zoom or webinar platforms)
   
• In person (offices, conferences, retreats, fun places like a tea shop)
   
• On-demand

Boards don’t just approve content. They approve process. Attendance tracking, evaluations, certificates, and record-keeping all matter, especially if you’re ever audited.

Stage 5: Repeat! 

Most CE approvals last 1-3 years, and you can offer your course multiple times during that window.

You might:

• Offer it live again and again
• Convert it to an on-demand course (but you'll need to add a post-test and apply for the additional format)
• Pitch it to agencies or conferences

Once you’ve done this once, you’ve built a repeatable system for income and impact. A simple annual refresh helps keep your materials current and protects your approval long-term.

When You Hit a Bump

Sometimes the process doesn’t go exactly as planned. Common roadblocks I see include:

• Your state doesn’t approve CEs for your license type and you're not sure where to look next
• Your professional organization has extra confusing requirements (like APA)
• Your topic gets denied
• Your objectives, evaluation or certificate don't include all of the necessary requirements

If anything like this happens, don’t panic and don't quit. Pivot.

You can:

• Adjust the topic or framing
• Apply to a different board
• Co-sponsor with an approved provider
• Update your materials and resubmit
• Get help

I’ve helped clients navigate all of these scenarios.

Ready to Get Started?

Becoming a CE provider is one of the most aligned, sustainable ways for therapists to diversify income while staying in service to the field.

If you want help taking the first step, grab my free CE Course Planning Checklist and let’s get your first training mapped out.

You’re closer than you think!

Get my free CE Course Planning Checklist HERE. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a CE Provider

Can I become a CE provider without a large audience?
Yes. Approving boards care about your topic, course structure, learning objectives, and documentation, not how many people attend. And you can market your training to the network you already have.

Do I need to work for a large CE company to teach CEs?
No way! Many therapists teach CEs through their own solo or group practices once they are approved by a board such as ASWB, NBCC, or their state board.

How long does it take to become an approved CE provider?
It depends on the board and how prepared you are. Applications usually take 3-4 months to approve, but planning correctly from the start significantly reduces delays and denials.

What are the most common reasons CE applications get denied?
The most common issues include unclear learning objectives, discrepancies between objectives and evaluations, promotional or biased language, questions about business structure and other offers, and documentation that doesn't follow their requirements and samples exactly.

Can I offer CEs online or on-demand in 2026?
Yes. Live online and on-demand CEs are widely accepted, but on-demand courses require additional safeguards such as timed agendas, post-tests with a passing score, and clear completion requirements.

Can I reuse the same CE course more than once?
Yes! Most approvals last one to two years, and you can offer the same course multiple times during that approval period.

Do CE boards audit providers after approval?
Yes. Boards reserve the right to audit providers at any time. Audits often review websites, course materials, evaluations, certificates, and record-keeping practices so it's important that you keep your records in order once you are approved.

Can I teach CEs on business or marketing topics?
Sometimes. Business-related topics are often restricted or require careful framing, and not accepted at all by some boards. It’s important to choose the right board and topic combination.

What’s the difference between ASWB and NBCC approval?
ASWB approval is intended for social workers, while NBCC approval is focused on counselors. Each board has different rules, especially around scope of practice, commercial bias, and acceptable course topics. You can absolutely offer your trainings to multiple disciplines! This just means these boards have a different perspective and focus. For example, ASWB requires that you have a Social Work Consultant in your CE business and include a cultural competency/ social justice component in every training.

Is becoming a CE provider worth it financially?
For many therapists, absolutely, yes! CEs can create repeatable income, open doors to speaking and consulting opportunities, and allow you to share your expertise without adding more therapy clients. This can be a small, occasional income stream or a huge business, depending on your goals and what you put into it!

Start by grabbing my free 

CE Course Planning Checklist HERE.