Check engine light doesn't really indicate an "engine" problem. It is really an "emissions" light. They don't call it an "emissions" light, because most people would say "oh, emissions? that's all? not going to worry about that right now."
And, that's exactly what you should do -- probably not worry about it too much right now. The most common cause for the light coming on is filling up the gas tank while the car is still on. Second is not quite tightening the gas cap all the way. The solution to both of these is a number of turn-on, drive, turn-off sequences. After the gas cap has been secured and the car has been started, driven, and turned off several times, the light will commonly go off.
Now it could be an oxygen sensor or something like that too. Anyway, my advice would be to drive the car for a few days, see if the light goes off, and only then seek service if it doesn't.