Complete Guide to LCSW License Renewal
Everything licensed clinical social workers need to know about CE requirements, renewal deadlines, approved providers, and how to find free CE by state.
What LCSW License Renewal Requires
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) must renew their license every one to three years depending on their state, and renewal requires completing a set number of continuing education (CE) hours. Across all states, LCSW renewal CE requirements share several common elements: a total hour requirement, mandatory ethics hours, and approval by a recognized accreditation body such as ASWB/ACE or NASW (Rubin & Parrish, 2007).
The total CE hours required per renewal cycle ranges from 20 hours (in some states) to 45 hours. Most states fall in the 30-36 hour range for a two-year cycle. Ethics CE is universally required, typically 3-6 hours per cycle. Many states have added additional mandated topics in recent years, including suicide prevention training, implicit bias, domestic violence, and human trafficking awareness.
Understanding your specific state's requirements is the essential first step. The table below summarizes requirements for ten of the largest states. For states not listed, always go directly to your state licensing board's website for the authoritative requirements.
LCSW CE Requirements by State
| State | CE Hours | Ethics | Cycle | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 36 hrs | 6 hrs | 2-year | |
| New York | 36 hrs | 3 hrs | 3-year | |
| Texas | 30 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-year | |
| Florida | 30 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-year | |
| Pennsylvania | 30 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-year | |
| Illinois | 30 hrs | 6 hrs | 2-year | |
| Ohio | 30 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-year | |
| Michigan | 45 hrs | 5 hrs | 3-year | |
| Georgia | 35 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-year | |
| Washington | 36 hrs | 6 hrs | 2-year |
Click any row for details. Always verify with your state board. Requirements change periodically.
Approved CE Accreditation for Social Workers
ASWB ACE (Association of Social Work Boards)
The ASWB Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program is the most widely recognized accreditation for social work CE. Providers approved by ASWB ACE are accepted in nearly all US states for LCSW/LMSW renewal. When searching for free CE, look for the ASWB ACE logo or CE provider listing.
ASWB ACE Provider Directory →NASW (National Association of Social Workers)
NASW approves CE through its own provider network. NASW-approved CE is accepted in most states, though state acceptance varies. NASW members also gain access to free or reduced-cost CE webinars throughout the year through NASW's online learning center.
NASW CE Resources →State-Specific Approvals
Some states have their own approval process in addition to or instead of ASWB/NASW. For example, California's BBS maintains its own list of approved CE providers. Always check your state board's website to see which accrediting bodies are accepted.
APA-Approved CE for Social Workers
While APA (American Psychological Association) primarily approves CE for psychologists, many states also accept APA-approved CE for social workers, particularly for clinical and evidence-based practice topics. Check your state board to confirm APA CE acceptance.
CE Formats: What Counts for LCSW Renewal?
Different CE formats are accepted by most state boards, though some have restrictions on self-study hours.
Live Webinar
Self-Paced Online
Podcast CE
Reading-Based
In-Person Workshop
How to Complete Your LCSW Renewal CE for Free
Despite the cost of many commercial CE providers, it is entirely possible to complete all or most of your LCSW renewal CE for free. Federal agencies, nonprofits, and professional associations collectively offer hundreds of free, ASWB-approved CE courses each year (Strand et al., 2012).
SAMHSA Training: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers an extensive library of free training at no cost, covering topics including trauma-informed care, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, and mental health policy. Many SAMHSA trainings are ASWB-approved.
VA TRAIN: The Department of Veterans Affairs offers free clinical training through VA TRAIN, a public platform with hundreds of courses on PTSD, evidence-based practices, and clinical skills. Access is free and does not require VA employment.
University Extension Programs: Many university schools of social work and continuing education programs offer free or low-cost CE webinars to alumni and the public. Check the CE programs at major social work schools in your state.
NASW Member Benefits: NASW members receive access to free CE webinars throughout the year. The annual NASW membership fee often pays for itself in CE savings. Check your state NASW chapter for local events.
LCSW Renewal Checklist
Look up your exact renewal date and CE deadline on your state board's license lookup
Confirm total CE hours required for your license level (LMSW vs. LCSW may differ)
Check required topic areas: ethics hours, suicide prevention, and any state-specific mandates
Verify which accrediting bodies (ASWB, NASW, state-specific) your board accepts
Find free CE courses on CEHive filtered by your state and profession
Complete ethics CE first, as these fill up on free platforms
Download and save all certificates of completion immediately after finishing
Keep a running log of: course title, provider, date, CE hours, approval body
Submit renewal and CE documentation before your expiration date
Find Free CE for Your LCSW Renewal
Search CEHive's directory of free, ASWB-approved CE courses for licensed social workers, filtered by state, topic, and format.
Search Free LCSW CE CoursesDisclaimer: CE requirements change frequently. Always verify with your state licensing board before relying on any CE for renewal. CEHive is not affiliated with ASWB, NASW, or any licensing board.