Best Online Emergency Medicine CME (2026) – CME for Busy EM Physicians
Searching for the best online Emergency Medicine CME in 2026 can be frustrating. Emergency physicians need CME that is efficient, fully online, and actually relevant to real ED practice—not long, outdated lectures.
The Emergency Medicine CME platforms below represent the most effective and widely used online CME options for 2026, based on learning format, credit volume, and overall time efficiency.
Quick Answer: Best Online Emergency Medicine CME (2026)
- Best overall: BoardVitals (question-based, efficient)
- Best video-based CME: Hippo Education
- Fastest CME option: Orbit CME
Table of Contents
Best Online Emergency Medicine CME Comparison (2026)
Quick comparison for busy emergency physicians deciding where to earn CME in 2026.
| Provider | CME Format | Max CME Credits | Best For | Why EM Docs Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BoardVitals | Qbank (case-based) | 35 | Efficient CME + clinical reasoning | Earn CME while reinforcing real ED decision-making |
| Hippo Education | Video-based courses | 84 (Adult) / 44.25 (Peds) | New attendings, structured learning | Massive video library + error-identification assessments |
| Oakstone | Academic video lectures | 17–37.5 (per course) | High-risk & cross-disciplinary topics | University-backed, academically rigorous CME |
| EM:RAP | Video + audio + microlearning | Varies | Ongoing lifelong learning | Highly engaging, daily bite-sized EM education |
| EB Medicine | Evidence-based reading + podcast | 190+ / year | Deep, literature-driven learning | High-volume CME with strong evidence focus |
| Orbit CME | Article summaries + AI tracking | Varies | Fastest, lowest-effort CME | Automated compliance + ultra-efficient credit earning |
| White Coat Investor | Non-clinical CME | Varies | Finance & burnout prevention | Career sustainability beyond the ED |
Many emergency physicians use more than one CME platform — for example, a question bank for efficient credits plus a video platform for deeper learning.
Best Online Emergency Medicine CME Providers (2026)
BoardVitals — Best Question-Based Emergency Medicine CME
BoardVitals is ideal for emergency physicians who prefer learning through questions rather than long lectures.
Key Emergency Medicine CME offering
- Emergency Medicine CME Online Assessment
- 850+ case-style emergency medicine questions
- Up to 35 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- 6-month and 12-month access options
Why it stands out
- Case-based format mirrors real ED decision-making
- Efficient way to earn CME while reinforcing clinical judgment
- Strong overlap with board-style reasoning
Best for:
Emergency physicians who want question-based CME with practical clinical value.
Hippo Education — Best Video-Based CME for Early-Career and Practicing EM Physicians
Hippo is one of the most popular video-based Emergency Medicine CME platforms, particularly among residents and new attendings.
Emergency Medicine CME programs
- Adult EM Bootcamp
- 300+ online videos
- Up to 84.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- One-year subscription
- Optional Adult EM Bootcamp Assessment (8.25 credits) to identify common early-attending errors
- Pediatric EM Bootcamp
- 265 online videos
- Up to 44.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- One-year access
- Optional Peds EM Bootcamp Assessment (8.25 credits)
- Essentials of Emergency Medicine
- 98 concise videos (5–15 minutes each)
- 27.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- One-year access
Why it stands out
- Clear, clinically focused teaching
- Particularly strong for new attendings and early-career physicians
- Optional assessments help identify real-world practice gaps
Best for:
Emergency physicians who prefer structured, video-based learning.
Oakstone — Best Academic, On-Demand Video CME
Oakstone partners with leading academic institutions to deliver high-quality, on-demand CME across emergency-relevant topics.
Popular Emergency Medicine–related courses
- UCSF High-Risk Emergency Medicine — 17 CME credits
- Comprehensive Review of Pain Medicine — 37.5 CME credits
- University of Washington Emergency Radiology Review — 18.25 CME credits
- Addiction Medicine for Nonspecialists — 24.75 CME credits
Why it stands out
- University-backed, academically rigorous content
- Excellent coverage of high-risk and cross-disciplinary ED topics
- Fully on-demand, self-paced format
Best for:
Emergency physicians who value academic depth and lecture-based learning.
EM:RAP — Best for Ongoing, Multimedia EM Education
EM:RAP (Emergency Medicine Reviews and Perspectives) is one of the most recognized brands in emergency medicine education.
What’s included
- Video lectures and procedural demonstrations
- Online courses and video podcasts
- “Daily Dose” micro-learning videos (1–3 minutes)
- Dedicated lifelong learning and assessment content
Why it stands out
- Highly engaging, clinically relevant material
- Short-form content fits busy ED workflows
- Trusted by a large portion of the EM community
Best for:
Emergency physicians who want continuous learning, not just annual CME credit accumulation.
EB Medicine — Best Evidence-Based Emergency Medicine CME
EB Medicine focuses on evidence-based clinical decision-making, offering deep dives into common and high-risk ED presentations.
Emergency Medicine Practice subscription includes
- 12 monthly issues
- Full access to the complete article archive
- EMplify podcast
- 190+ CME credits per year
Additional subscriptions available for:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Evidence-Based Urgent Care
Why it stands out
- Literature-driven recommendations
- Very high annual CME credit potential
- Ideal for physicians who enjoy reading and critical appraisal
Best for:
Emergency physicians who value evidence-based analysis and in-depth clinical education.
Orbit CME — Best for Simple, Automated Emergency Medicine CME
Orbit CME is designed for physicians who want maximum efficiency with minimal friction.
Key features
- All credits are AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- AI assistant automates state- and license-specific compliance
- Earn CME by reading and summarizing articles and abstracts
- Content can be filtered to match your clinical practice
Why it stands out
- Extremely time-efficient
- Appeals to physicians balancing work, family, and life outside medicine
- Strong compliance automation
Best for:
Emergency physicians who want the simplest path to staying licensed in 2026.
White Coat Investor — Financial & Wellness CME for Emergency Physicians
While not clinical Emergency Medicine CME, White Coat Investor offers financial wellness and burnout-prevention CME that many EM physicians value.
Relevant CME topics
- Physician financial literacy
- Burnout prevention
- Career and practice optimization
Best for:
Emergency physicians seeking non-clinical CME focused on long-term career sustainability.
How to Choose the Best Online Emergency Medicine CME in 2026
When selecting an EM CME platform, consider:
- Learning style: questions, videos, reading, or audio
- Time efficiency: micro-learning vs deep dives
- Credit volume needed: minimal vs high annual requirements
- Career stage: resident, new attending, or experienced physician
Many emergency physicians use multiple CME platforms to balance efficiency, engagement, and depth.
Final Thoughts
The best online Emergency Medicine CME in 2026 is the one that fits your learning style, schedule, and career stage. Whether you want efficient question-based learning, structured video education, evidence-based reading, or automated compliance, there are excellent options available.
CME Compass will continue to update this guide as new Emergency Medicine CME providers and affiliate partnerships become available.
For additional recommendations, explore our:
- Best Emergency Medicine CME of 2026 Review
- Best Audio/Podcast Emergency Medicine CME
- Best Emergency Medicine Board Review Courses
- Best Financial CME for Physicians
Disclaimer:
Some links above may be affiliate links, meaning CME Compass may earn a small commission if you enroll — at no additional cost to you. This helps support our mission to build the most comprehensive, physician-run CME directory online.
What is the best online Emergency Medicine CME in 2026?
There is no single best option for every emergency physician. In 2026, popular choices include question-based CME for efficiency, video-based CME for structured learning, and evidence-based subscriptions for deeper clinical updates. The best choice depends on your learning style, time constraints, and credit needs.
Can Emergency Medicine CME be completed entirely online?
Yes. Most Emergency Medicine CME in 2026 can be completed 100% online, including question banks, on-demand video courses, podcasts, and article-based CME. These options allow emergency physicians to earn credits without attending in-person conferences.
How many CME credits do emergency physicians need each year?
Most emergency physicians need 25–50 CME credits per year, depending on state licensure requirements, board certification status, and employer policies. Some physicians choose higher-volume CME platforms to cover multiple years or meet additional certification requirements.
Is Emergency Medicine CME the same as board review?
No. Emergency Medicine CME focuses on ongoing education and license maintenance, while board review is designed specifically to prepare for certification or recertification exams. Some CME platforms overlap with board-style learning, but their primary goal is continuing education rather than exam preparation.
Should emergency physicians use more than one CME platform?
Many emergency physicians use multiple CME platforms—for example, one for efficient credit accumulation and another for deeper clinical learning. This approach allows flexibility while maintaining broad clinical coverage.
What is the fastest way to earn Emergency Medicine CME online?
The fastest options typically include question-based CME and article-summary–based CME, which allow physicians to earn credits efficiently without long lectures. These formats are popular among emergency physicians with limited time.