Can I take a whole bunch of free CEUs online to meet my state's 20-hour requirement?

[Naturally Brilliant, BSN, RN]

Sorry if this is a basic question, but when I renewed my RN license in Texas for the first time, I didn't have to do anything. Now, when my license is up for renewal in June 2020, I need to have 20 CEUs according to my state's BON. I googled online for free CEUs and there's all these sites like Nurse.com that have free CEUs listed. So could I just take 20 of these free one-hour courses over a few weeks, print out the certificates, and mail them in with my renewal when June 2020 rolls around?

[Oldmahubbard]

I would do it well in advance, and be sure the CEU's qualify in your state. Do not wait a year. I would send everything in early, as well, in case there is a glitch.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Unless you're specifically told you're being audited in TX you do not have to submit your CEUs. You just have to do them. I generally have a good mix of free (Medscape) and paid for (a couple of nursing conferences).

But also check whether you need jurisprudence and a set of CEUs on older adults as well. Texas is a little wonky.

[Naturally Brilliant, BSN, RN]

Here's the thing. My expiration date on my license is June 30, 2020. I'm in an online NP program right now, and I'm doing CEUs through Fitzgerald Health. The certificates say that they are approved for nurse practitioner continuing education. Now, I wouldn't graduate from my NP program until around August 2020, so when my renewal time came up I'm concerned that these CEUs aren't going to be eligible. Will they work for renewing my RN license?