Continuing Education

Social Worker CE Requirements in Ireland

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

30CE hours / cycle
1 yrrenewal cycle
0 hlive / interactive required
ethics required
Full Ireland Social Worker requirements
Verified

Social Worker

Social Worker (CORU-registered)
Regulator: CORU (Health and Social Care Professionals Council) - Social Workers Registration Board
30hours / credits / 1-year renewal cycle
No live / interactive hours required — all hours may be self-study
Mandated topics

No specific subject mandates — general CE hours only.

Home study: None; CPD is self-directed with no limits on activity type - online/self-study learning is fully permitted (one hour of new or enhanced learning = 1 CPD credit).

Board notes: The Social Workers Register is a fully operational statutory register (the first CORU register, opened 2011; the professional title 'Social Worker' is protected). CORU uses a self-determined, credit-based CPD system in which 1 CPD credit = 1 hour of new or enhanced learning; registrants must achieve at least 30 CPD credits in every rolling 12-month period, applying equally to full-time and part-time registrants. Credits are self-assessed and cannot be carried forward to the next period. CORU does not accredit CPD activities or providers; the emphasis is on learning outcomes and how they are applied in practice, evidenced against the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency. Compliance is verified through random CPD audits, with case-by-case deferral available (e.g., for statutory/maternity leave).

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Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does a Social Worker need in Ireland?

A Social Worker must complete 30 CE / continuing-education hours every 1 years in Ireland.

Are there required CE topics for Social Worker in Ireland?

Ireland does not mandate specific CE subjects for Social Worker beyond the general requirement — any board-approved continuing education generally counts. Always confirm with the regulator.

Can Social Worker CE be completed online in Ireland?

Generally yes — Ireland does not require live or interactive hours for Social Worker, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: None; CPD is self-directed with no limits on activity type - online/self-study learning is fully permitted (one hour of new or enhanced learning = 1 CPD credit)..

What else should Social Worker renewals know in Ireland?

The Social Workers Register is a fully operational statutory register (the first CORU register, opened 2011; the professional title 'Social Worker' is protected). CORU uses a self-determined, credit-based CPD system in which 1 CPD credit = 1 hour of new or enhanced learning; registrants must achieve at least 30 CPD credits in every rolling 12-month period, applying equally to full-time and part-time registrants. Credits are self-assessed and cannot be carried forward to the next period. CORU does not accredit CPD activities or providers; the emphasis is on learning outcomes and how they are applied in practice, evidenced against the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency. Compliance is verified through random CPD audits, with case-by-case deferral available (e.g., for statutory/maternity leave).

Other Ireland licenses
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.