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Registered Social Worker CE Requirements in British Columbia

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the Registered Social Worker license in British Columbia — renewal model, mandated topics, live/interactive rules, and home-study limits — with links to the official regulator.

40CE hours / cycle
1 yrrenewal cycle
0 hlive / interactive required
3 hethics required
Full British Columbia Registered Social Worker requirements
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Registered Social Worker

Registered Social Worker
Regulator: British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW)
40hours / credits / 1-year renewal cycle
No live / interactive hours required — all hours may be self-study
Mandated topics
  • Ethical conduct and ethical decision-making — 3 h
  • Cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-discriminatory practice — 3 h
  • Indigenous-specific cultural learning and anti-Indigenous racism — 3 h
  • General continuing professional development (registrant's choice) — 31 h

Home study: A maximum of 15 hours may be credited per activity category (self-directed learning, work-based learning, professional activities, formal/educational activities, and other activities); hours beyond 15 in any single category are not counted toward the 40-hour total.

Board notes: Minimum 40 CPD hours per annual cycle running November 1 to October 31. Of the 40 hours, 3 must be in ethics, 3 in cultural safety/humility/anti-discriminatory practice, and 3 in Indigenous-specific cultural learning and anti-Indigenous racism, with the remaining 31 in general CPD. Applies to full, clinical, and provisional registrants; non-practising registrants are exempt. Maximum 15 hours credited per activity category.

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Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does a Registered Social Worker need in British Columbia?

A Registered Social Worker must complete 40 CE / continuing-education hours every 1 years in British Columbia. That total includes 3 hours of ethics.

Are there required CE topics for Registered Social Worker in British Columbia?

Yes. British Columbia requires the following CE topics for Registered Social Worker: Ethical conduct and ethical decision-making (3 h); Cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-discriminatory practice (3 h); Indigenous-specific cultural learning and anti-Indigenous racism (3 h); General continuing professional development (registrant's choice) (31 h).

Can Registered Social Worker CE be completed online in British Columbia?

Generally yes — British Columbia does not require live or interactive hours for Registered Social Worker, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: A maximum of 15 hours may be credited per activity category (self-directed learning, work-based learning, professional activities, formal/educational activities, and other activities); hours beyond 15 in any single category are not counted toward the 40-hour total..

What else should Registered Social Worker renewals know in British Columbia?

Minimum 40 CPD hours per annual cycle running November 1 to October 31. Of the 40 hours, 3 must be in ethics, 3 in cultural safety/humility/anti-discriminatory practice, and 3 in Indigenous-specific cultural learning and anti-Indigenous racism, with the remaining 31 in general CPD. Applies to full, clinical, and provisional registrants; non-practising registrants are exempt. Maximum 15 hours credited per activity category.

Other British Columbia licenses
Registered Social Worker CE requirements in other jurisdictions
Updated July 2026 from official licensing-board, regulatory-college, and government sources. CE / CPD requirements change often — always confirm current rules directly with your licensing board or regulator before you renew. Informational only, not legal advice.