Features
March 3, 2025
3 min

The ultimate guide to free and low-cost CE credits for veterinarians

Continuing Education (CE) credits are essential for veterinarians to stay current with the latest advancements in medicine, improve patient care, and maintain their licenses. However, the cost of CE courses can add up quickly, making it challenging for vets — especially those in small practices or early in their careers — to access high-quality education.

Fortunately, there are many free and affordable CE options that provide excellent learning opportunities without breaking the bank. Whether you need RACE-approved credits for license renewal or want to expand your knowledge on emerging veterinary topics, this guide highlights the best free and low-cost CE resources available in 2025.

Top free CE credit opportunities

The following platforms offer high-quality, no-cost CE courses that are accessible to veterinarians, technicians, and students.

1. VetMedTeam

Cost: Free

CE Credits: RACE-approved courses available

Best for: Small animal practitioners, vet techs, and recent graduates

What they offer: VetMedTeam provides a variety of free CE courses covering topics such as small animal medicine, diagnostics, practice management, and client communication. New courses are added regularly, making this a great ongoing resource.

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2. AVMA eLearning

Cost: Free for AVMA members

CE Credits: RACE-approved

Best for: Veterinarians looking for regulatory, leadership, and clinical training

What they offer: AVMA’s eLearning platform offers free CE credits for members, with courses on antimicrobial stewardship, well-being, practice management, and public health. While non-members may need to pay, AVMA membership often offsets the cost.

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AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) CE

Cost: Free on-demand webinars; certificate courses under $100 for members

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: The AAHA Learning platform provides a mix of free and affordable CE courses, covering everything from clinical advancements to business operations for veterinary practices.

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3. Zoetis Petcare Learning Center

Cost: Free

CE Credits: RACE-approved

Best for: Companion animal veterinarians and technicians

What they offer: Zoetis offers on-demand CE courses focusing on clinical advancements, pain management, dermatology, and infectious diseases. Courses are taught by leading veterinary experts.

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4. Merck Animal Health Vaccine CE Series

Cost: Free

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: The Merck Animal Health Vaccine CE Series offers free online CE courses focusing on vaccinology, immunology, and infectious disease prevention. Designed for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, this series covers the latest insights into vaccine protocols, disease outbreaks, and best practices for immunization. The program features expert-led lectures and case-based learning to help professionals apply vaccine science in clinical settings.

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5. NAVTA CE Portal

Cost: Free and low-cost options available

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) offers an extensive CE portal designed specifically for veterinary technicians. The platform features free and affordable CE courses covering topics such as anesthesia, pain management, laboratory diagnostics, and client communication. Courses are available on-demand, making it easy for vet techs to stay up to date while earning CE credits required for credential renewal.

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6. VETgirl Free CE Webinars

Cost: Free (some premium courses require a subscription)

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Provides free CE webinars on small animal medicine, surgery, and more.

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7. IDEXX Learning Center

Cost: Free

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Offers courses on diagnostic testing and laboratory medicine.

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9. Elanco Online Learning

Cost: Free

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Focuses on companion animal health, pain management, and disease prevention.

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10. VetBloom Free CE Webinars

Cost: Free

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Features expert-led webinars on surgery, emergency medicine, and radiology.

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Affordable CE Options (Under $100)

If you're willing to invest a small amount in high-quality CE, these budget-friendly platforms provide extensive learning opportunities for under $100 per course or annual subscription.

1. VIN (Veterinary Information Network)

Cost: Free for VIN members ($85-$110/month for membership)

CE Credits: RACE-approved

Best for: All veterinarians, with specialized tracks in various fields

What they offer: VIN members gain access to hundreds of CE courses, including case discussions, deep-dive webinars, and interactive learning. While membership comes with a cost, it includes networking opportunities and access to medical libraries.

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2. VetFolio

Cost: $49/year for individual courses or $99/year for unlimited access

CE Credits: RACE-approved

Best for: Small animal and general practitioners looking for flexibility

What they offer: VetFolio offers affordable on-demand CE courses, covering everything from behavior to emergency medicine. The unlimited plan is a cost-effective way to meet CE requirements without attending in-person events.

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3. VETgirl On-The-Go CE

Cost: $79/year for basic membership

CE Credits: RACE-approved

Best for: Veterinarians who prefer podcasts and mobile learning

What they offer: VETgirl provides CE in an audio/video format, making it ideal for busy vets who want to learn on the go. Courses cover clinical medicine, surgery, and wellness topics.

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4. dvm360 Flex

Cost: $49 per course

CE Credits: RACE-approved

Best for: Those seeking interactive CE experiences

What they offer: dvm360 offers low-cost CE courses focused on practical clinical applications, wellness, and business management. Their interactive modules are engaging and easy to follow.

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5. AtDove.org CE Subscription

Cost: $99/year

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Includes case-based videos and emergency medicine training.

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6. Vet Education Online

Cost: Courses start at $49

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Offers a mix of live and on-demand CE courses.

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7. VetCE on Demand

Cost: $75/year for unlimited courses

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Covers a wide range of clinical and practice management topics.

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8. Vetcetera Online CE

Cost: $99/year

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Includes interactive case studies and specialty courses.

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9. VetX Thrive CE

Cost: $79/year

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Focuses on wellness and mental health in veterinary practice.

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10. Veterinary Practice News CE Courses

Cost: $29-$99 per course

CE Credits: RACE-approved

What they offer: Covers topics like anesthesia, surgery, and business management.

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Understanding CE accreditation & RACE approval

Before signing up for a CE course, check if it's RACE-approved. The Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE), overseen by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), ensures CE programs meet strict educational standards.

Why does RACE approval matter?

  • Many states require RACE-approved credits to maintain an active veterinary license.
    RACE approval guarantees the course meets veterinary industry standards.
  • Most U.S. states and Canadian provinces accept RACE-approved CE credits.

Each state has different CE requirements, so check with your veterinary board to confirm which courses qualify for your license renewal.

Find your state’s requirements

Did we miss a great CE resource? Let us know, and we’ll add it to the list!

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