![]() |
Nearly every jurisdiction that issues social work licenses requires continuing education courses for renewal. These CE requirements vary from one jurisdiction to another, from the number of hours required to the types of courses that must be taken.
Compliance with continuing education requirements is the responsibility of the individual social worker. It is crucial that licensed social workers understand the CE requirements in their jurisdictions, and keep up-to-date on any rule changes.
The Association of Social Work Boards' Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program has been designed to identify and recognize high-quality continuing education providers that can deliver quality programs in many topics, through in-person or distance learning settings
| STATE | ASWB courses Accepted? |
Internet CE Accepted? |
Alabama |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
Alaska |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
Alberta, Canada |
ASWB Approved |
10 hrs self-directed courses OK |
Arizona |
ASWB Approved |
100% online courses OK |
Arkansas |
Non pre-approved courses accepted with appropriate documentation. |
20 hrs self-study OK |
Connecticut |
ASWB Approved |
No |
Delaware |
ASWB Approved |
Independent study OK |
DC |
ASWB Approved |
Online courses OK if approved by ASWB, or offered by accredited university. |
Florida |
ASWB Approved |
100% online courses OK |
|
ASWB Approved |
Online courses approved by ASWB or NASW OK for all 35 hrs. Independent study for 5 related hours OK |
Idaho |
ASWB Approved |
Board review required for online CEs. All CE must be germane to social work. Education level of presenter must be at or higher than the social worker taking the training. |
Illinois |
ASWB Approved (12-04) |
Self-study must be approved by board |
Indiana |
ASWB Approved |
50% of hours may be Self-study (distance learning) |
Iowa |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
Kansas |
Board accepts course if properly documented. |
Self-study must be approved by board |
Kentucky |
ASWB Approved |
50% of hours may be Self-study (distance learning) |
Maine |
Not ASWB Approved |
*10 hrs independent study OK |
Maryland |
ASWB Approved |
4 hrs self-directed courses OK |
Massachusetts |
ASWB Approved |
No limit on distance learning or home study. |
Michigan |
ASWB Approved |
|
Minnesota |
ASWB Approved |
10 hrs self-study OK |
Mississippi |
ASWB Approved |
2 SWUs self-directed study OK |
Missouri |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
Montana |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
Nebraska |
Programs must meet board specified criteria. |
15 hours of home study per renewal period OK |
Nevada |
Not ASWB Approved: Board pre-approves providers. |
Self-study must be approved by board |
New Hampshire |
Not ASWB Approved |
Maximum 20 hours online |
New Jersey |
ASWB Approved |
100% OK |
New Mexico |
ASWB Approved |
100% OK if ACE (ASWB) approved |
North Carolina |
ASWB Approved |
20 hrs OK if ACE (ASWB) approved |
North Dakota |
ASWB Approved |
100% onlince courses OK if ACE (ASWB) approved |
Ohio |
ASWB Approved |
10 hrs distance learning OK |
Oregon |
ASWB Approved |
100% OK if ACE approved.
|
Pennsylvania |
ASWB Approved |
20 hours of home study, OK |
Rhode Island |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
South Carolina |
ASWB Approved |
100% OK |
South Dakota |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
Texas |
ASWB Approved |
I CEU independent study OK |
Utah |
Not ASWB Approved* |
*10 hours internet or home study per 2-yr period allowed |
Vermont |
ASWB Approved |
5 hrs independent study OK |
Virginia |
ASWB Approved |
20 hrs Category I =
Pre-approved activities (ACE) |
Virgin Islands |
ASWB Approved |
|
Washington | ASWB Approved |
Self-study must be approved by board |
West Virginia |
Not ASWB Approved* |
*Twenty (20) of the 50 hours may be earned under the self-study category of "Individual Professional Activities" provider number 490000. |
Wisconsin |
ASWB Approved |
16 CEH interactive internet |
Wyoming |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
|
|
|
| REQUIREMENTS BY STATE with link to state department of Social Workers |
|
|
ASWB
ACE |
Internet CE Accepted? |
Accept CE approved by another Board or Professional approval? |
| Alabama 4,557 |
30 hrs CE; 2yr renewal |
|
ASWB
Approved |
Not specified |
|
| Alaska
406 |
45 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
--3 hours in prof'l ethics, --6 hours in substance abuse, and --6 hours
in cross-cultural education that includes issues relating to Alaska
Natives. |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
|
| Alberta,
Canada 5,431 |
40 hrs CE annually |
Each social worker must complete an annual self-assessment and develop an individualized learning plan based on the self-assessment. |
ASWB Approved |
10 hrs self-directed courses OK | Course meeting learning plan goals and approved by another profession is recognized in any topic area |
| Arizona 2,812 |
40 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
Social work ETHICS + multi cultural |
ASWB Approved |
100% online courses OK |
|
| Arkansas 2,221 l |
48 hrs CE; 2 yr renewa |
3 hrs social work ETHICS |
Non pre-approved courses accepted with appropriate documentation. |
20 hrs self-study OK |
(Approval by another board will facilitate course acceptance) |
| British
Columbia, Canada 1,542 |
Yes,
for private practitioners. |
In accordance with CASW code of ETHICS Topics must show relevancy to professional activities. |
Not
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
|
| California 21,688 |
36 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
6 hrs law & social work ETHICS. 3 hrs aging & long-term care. One time requirement: 7 hrs HIV-AIDS; spousal & partner abuse-no hr length specified; (1-1-05) ; 7 hrs detection & treatment of alcohol and chemical dependency 1st renewal. |
Not
ASWB Approved |
12 hrs self-study courses OK |
|
| Colorado 4,866 |
No. 2 yr renewal |
|
* |
* No CE requirement at the present time |
|
| Connecticut
4,198 |
15 hrs CE annually |
|
ASWB Approved |
No |
|
| Delaware 494 |
45 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
3 hrs social work ETHICS |
ASWB
Approved
|
Independent study OK |
|
|
4,383 |
As of 2007, 40 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal. No post approval. |
6 hours social work ETHICS (no independent study) |
ASWB Approved |
Online courses OK if approved by ASWB, or offered by accredited university. |
|
| Florida
8,000 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal
|
HIV required 1st yr licensure. Ethics
& Boundaries (3 hrs as of Domestic violence (1 hr) Medical error prevention (2 hrs) |
ASWB Approved
|
100% online courses OK
|
Full credit on CE approved by related professions.
|
|
3,628 |
35 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
5 hrs social work ETHICS |
ASWB Approved |
Online courses approved by ASWB or NASW OK for all 35 hrs. Independent study for 5 related hours OK |
Yes |
| Hawaii 1,338 |
No. 3 yr renewal |
|
|
* * No CE requirement at the present time |
|
| Idaho 2,533 |
20 hrs CE annually |
1 hr of social work ETHICS every year. |
ASWB Approved |
Board review required for online CEs. All CE must be germane to social work. Education level of presenter must be at or higher than the social worker taking the training. |
|
| Illinois 12,130 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
3 hrs. Social work ETHICS |
ASWB Approved (12-04) |
Self-study must be approved by board |
|
| Indiana 5,679 |
40 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
ASWB Approved |
50% of hours may be Self-study (distance learning) |
Full CE credit to programs relevant to the practitioner’s profession. |
| Iowa
4,408 |
27 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
3 hrs social work ETHICS |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
|
| Kansas 5,662 |
Yes 60 hrs; 2 yr renewal |
3 units social work ETHICS; 6 units in diagnosis & treatment of mental disorders |
Board accepts course if properly documented. |
Self-study must be approved by board |
|
| Kentucky 3,609 |
30 hrs CE; 3 yr renewal |
3 hrs social work ETHICS; 2 hrs HIV-AIDS |
ASWB Approved |
50% of hours may be Self-study (distance learning) |
|
| Louisiana 6,328 |
20 hrs CE annually. Individual courses must be pre-approved by designated agencies. |
3 hrs
Social Work ETHICS; |
Not
ASWB Approved |
8 hrs Online courses OK |
Board accepts courses approved by other board. |
| Maine 5,370 |
25 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
Effective 1-04: Conditional license 6 hrs Social Work ETHICS; 6 hrs Ppsychosocial Assessment. Effective 1-06 other licenses 4 hrs social work ethics. |
Not
ASWB Approved |
*10 hrs independent study OK |
(Approval by another board will facilitate course acceptance). Full credit given for ceu activities directly related to social work practice. |
| Manitoba,
567 |
40 hrs CE annually |
|
|
|
|
| Maryland
11,526 |
40 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
ETHICS: 3 credits, category 1 ( |
ASWB Approved |
4 hrs self-directed courses OK |
(Approval by another board will facilitate course acceptance) |
| Massachusetts 20,898 |
30 hrs CE (LICSW); 2 yr renewal |
|
ASWB Approved |
50% of total hrs in board approved self-study OK No limit on distance learning or home study. |
Accepts approval by another board. All non-approved courses can be submitted for review by the board for post-approval. |
| Michigan 26,943 |
45 hrs. CE. 3 yr renewal. |
5 hrs
ETHICS. |
ASWB
Approved |
|
|
| Minnesota 9,824 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
ASWB
Approved |
10 hrs self-study OK |
|
| Mississippi 3,810 |
40 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
ASWB Approved |
2 SWUs self-directed study OK |
|
| Missouri 4,752 |
30 hrs CE (LCSW); 2 yr renewal |
Pre-approval
required as of |
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
Yes |
| Montana 417 |
20 hrs CE annually |
|
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
Accepts approval by another board. Course information must be submitted on appropriate form. Questionable trainings reviewed by full Board may be denied, awarded full or partial credit. |
| Nebraska 1,289 |
32 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
Programs must meet board specified criteria. |
15 hours of home study per renewal period OK |
|
| Nevada 2,029 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
2 hrs social work ETHICS or Confidentiality |
Not
ASWB Approved |
Self-study must be approved by board |
|
| New
Brunswick, 1,394 |
40 hrs CE annually |
|
NO |
100% OK |
|
| |
40 hrs CE annually |
|
|
|
|
| New
Hampshire 805 |
40 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
6 hours social work ETHICS |
Not
ASWB Approved |
Maximum 20 hours online |
|
| New
Jersey 15,542 |
40 hrs CE (as of 9-04); 2 yr renewal |
5 hrs social work ETHICS 20 hrs training for supervision
|
ASWB Approved |
100% OK |
|
| New
Mexico 3,102 |
15 hrs CE annually |
|
ASWB Approved |
100% OK if ACE (ASWB) approved |
Full CE credit on programs approved in related professions. |
| New
York 40,892 |
No CE required. 3 yr renewal |
|
* |
* * No CE requirement at the present time |
|
| North
Carolina 4,816 |
40 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
2 hrs social work ETHICS |
ASWB Approved |
20 hrs OK if ACE (ASWB) approved |
Cross-disciplinary offerings from medicine, law and the behavioral/social sciences or other disciplines accepted if related to social work practice, values, skills & knowledge. |
| North
Dakota 2,174 |
20 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
ASWB Approved |
100% onlince courses OK if ACE (ASWB) approved |
|
| Nova
Scotia, 1,516 |
40 hrs CE annually |
|
|
100% OK |
|
| Ohio 25,164 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
3 hrs social work ETHICS |
ASWB Approved |
10 hrs distance learning OK |
|
| Oklahoma 1,126 |
16 hrs CE annually |
3 hrs social work ETHICS |
|
|
|
|
|
No annual renewal |
|
|
|
|
| Oregon 2,946 |
40 hrs CE in 2 years; annual renewal |
6 hrs training for supervision |
ASWB Approved Course clinical content required. |
100% OK if ACE approved.
|
Full credit to CEs approved by related professions. |
| Pennsylvania 5,500 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
ASWB
Approved See Board website for list of approvers. |
20 hours of home study, OK |
|
| Prince Edward Island, Canada |
9 hrs CE in 3 years; annual renewal |
|
|
|
|
| Puerto Rico |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
|
Not specified |
|
|
5,500 |
min hrs CE not specified; annual renewal |
In accordance with CASW code of ETHICS |
|
|
|
| Rhode
Island 1,625 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal
|
3 hrs cross-cultural practice to alleviate oppression; 3 hrs social work ETHICS |
ASWB Approved
|
Not specified
|
|
| Saskatchewan,
Canada 1,104 |
No
|
|
|
|
|
| South
Carolina 4,302 |
20 hrs CE annually; biennial renewal |
A minimum of twenty of the 40 clock hours must be specifically provided by a trained social worker - a person with a BSW, MSW, or a doctorate degree in social work. |
ASWB Approved |
100% OK |
Full credit on CE accepted in related professions. |
| South
Dakota 751 |
A minimum of 40 clock hours of social work related continuing education is required every two years. |
|
ASWB Approved |
Not specified |
|
| Tennessee
3,029 |
15 hrs CE per year. 2 yr renewal |
3 hrs social work ETHICS |
Not
ASWB Approved |
100% OK |
No pre-approval. |
| Texas 20,564 |
30 hours every 24 months. |
3 hrs social work ETHICS Training for supervision as specified by board |
ASWB Approved |
Full credit on CE accepted in related professions. | |
| Utah 4,738 |
40 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
Not
ASWB Approved* |
*10 hours internet or home study per 2-yr period allowed |
|
| Vermont
717 |
20 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
1.5 hrs social work ETHICS, including boundaries, confidentiality & dual relationships |
ASWB Approved |
5 hrs independent study OK |
Yes |
| Virginia 4,934 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
2 hrs social work ETHICS |
ASWB Approved |
20
hrs Category I = 10 hrs Category II = Individual Prof'l Activities 5 hrs Category III = Independent study |
Another board? Full credit to program approved by other profession if it is behavioral health related and relevant to licensee’s practice. |
| Virgin Islands 89 |
2 units CE annually |
|
ASWB Approved |
|
|
Washington
2,828 | 36 hrs CE; 2-yr renewal |
4 hrs professional law and social work ETHICS |
ASWB Approved |
Self-study must be approved by board |
|
| West
Virginia |
50 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
8 hrs social work ETHICS: temp license |
Not
ASWB Approved* |
*Twenty (20) of the 50 hours may be earned under the self-study category of "Individual Professional Activities" provider number 490000. |
The remaining thirty (30) hours must be earned from attending training programs offered by approved or certified providers recognized by the WVBSWE. |
| Wisconsin 10,758 |
30 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
4 hrs (face to face) social work ETHICS or boundary issues |
ASWB Approved
|
16 CEH interactive internet 5 CEH self study if ACE approved |
|
| Wyoming 471 |
45 hrs CE; 2 yr renewal |
|
ASWB Approved |
Not specified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* No CE requirement at the present time
Total # Reported Social Workers – 367,341 (2004)
*** Rhode Island: CE allowances for supervision: 6 hrs for supervising Bachelors or Masters level student for one full academic year. 6 hrs for supervising practitioner designated impaired or under disciplinary sanction for a full one year period.