LICSW CE Requirements in District of Columbia
This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) license in District of Columbia — renewal model, mandated topics, live/interactive rules, and home-study limits — with links to the official regulator.
LICSW
- Ethics — 6 hMust be completed face-to-face; no online courses accepted for the ethics hours.
- Cultural Competency - LGBTQ — 2 hMay be completed online (D.C. Law 21-95).
- Public Health Priorities — 4 h10% of the 40-hour total; topics designated by the DC Health Director per the public notice (updated effective Oct 1, 2025), e.g., opioid/pain management, sexual/reproductive health, chronic disease, human trafficking/abuse.
Complete your social work CE with Triad
AATBS and CE4Less offer board-approved continuing education for social work professionals — ethics, cultural competency, clinical topics, and more.
How many CE hours does an LICSW need in District of Columbia?
An LICSW must complete 40 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in District of Columbia. That total includes 6 hours of ethics. At least 28 of those hours must be live or interactive.
Are there required CE topics for LICSW in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia requires the following CE topics for LICSW: Ethics (6 h); Cultural Competency - LGBTQ (2 h); Public Health Priorities (4 h).
Can LICSW CE be completed online in District of Columbia?
Not entirely. District of Columbia requires at least 28 live or interactive hours per cycle; the remaining hours may generally be completed through approved home-study / online courses. Home-study note: Only 12 of the 40 hours may be completed online/home study; at least 28 hours must be in-person or live interactive instruction..
What else should LICSW renewals know in District of Columbia?
Renews biennially (historically July 31 of odd-numbered years); licenses transitioned to expire the last day of the licensee's birth month. During the transition, licensees granted less than two years complete 50% of CEUs but LGBTQ and public-health-priority content remain fully required. First renewal after initial licensure is CE-exempt. Administered by the DC Health Board of Social Work.