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Continuing Education

LCSW CE Requirements in California

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) license in California — renewal model, mandated topics, live/interactive rules, and home-study limits — with links to the official regulator.

36CE hours / cycle
2 yrrenewal cycle
0 hlive / interactive required
6 hethics required
Full California LCSW requirements
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LCSW

LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
36hours / 2-year renewal cycle
No live / interactive hours required — all hours may be self-study
Mandated topics
  • Law and Ethics — 6 hRequired every renewal period.
  • Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention — 6 hOne-time requirement for licensees renewing/reactivating after Jan 1, 2021; may be coursework or supervised applied experience; counts toward the 36 in the cycle taken.
  • Telehealth — 3 hOne-time requirement for renewals/reactivations after July 1, 2023; must cover the provision of mental health services via telehealth (incl. law and ethics of telehealth).
  • HIV/AIDS — 7 hOne-time requirement completed during the FIRST renewal period only (new licensees).

Home study: No limit on self-study/home-study when taken from a BBS-approved CE provider; no live or in-person hours are mandated.

Board notes: Regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). 36 hrs/2-yr cycle with 6 hrs Law & Ethics every cycle. Suicide (6 hr) and telehealth (3 hr) are one-time requirements, waived if proof was submitted at licensure. HIV/AIDS 7-hr course is required only at the first renewal. Teaching CE courses is capped at 18 hrs/renewal (after 7/1/2023).

bbs.ca.gov ↗bbs.ca.gov ↗

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Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does an LCSW need in California?

An LCSW must complete 36 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in California. That total includes 6 hours of ethics.

Are there required CE topics for LCSW in California?

Yes. California requires the following CE topics for LCSW: Law and Ethics (6 h); Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention (6 h); Telehealth (3 h); HIV/AIDS (7 h).

Can LCSW CE be completed online in California?

Generally yes — California does not require live or interactive hours for LCSW, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: No limit on self-study/home-study when taken from a BBS-approved CE provider; no live or in-person hours are mandated..

What else should LCSW renewals know in California?

Regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). 36 hrs/2-yr cycle with 6 hrs Law & Ethics every cycle. Suicide (6 hr) and telehealth (3 hr) are one-time requirements, waived if proof was submitted at licensure. HIV/AIDS 7-hr course is required only at the first renewal. Teaching CE courses is capped at 18 hrs/renewal (after 7/1/2023).

Other California licenses
LPCC in California36 CE hours every 2 yearsLicensed Psychologist in California36 CE hours every 2 yearsLMFT in California36 CE hours every 2 yearsBCBA in California32 CE hours every 2 years
LCSW CE requirements in other states
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
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.