LICSW CE Requirements in Massachusetts

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - MA's primary independent clinical license) license in Massachusetts — renewal model, mandated topics, live/interactive rules, and home-study limits — with links to the official regulator.

30CE hours / cycle

2 yrrenewal cycle

0 hlive / interactive required

3 hethics required

Full Massachusetts LICSW requirements

Verified

LICSW

LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - MA's primary independent clinical license)

30hours / 2-year renewal cycle

No live / interactive hours required — all hours may be self-study

Mandated topics

Professional ethics — 3 hLICSW must include a minimum of 3 hours in ethics
Clinical content — 10 hLICSW must include a minimum of 10 hours of clinical social work content
Anti-racism / anti-discriminationBoard maintains an Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination CE Policy that strongly encourages such CE, but no fixed number of hours is mandated

Home study: No cap on online/home study. Official Board CE page states CEs may be obtained in-person and/or online with no limit on the number obtained online. Separate limits apply: up to 25% of hours may come from related professions (psychology/counseling/nursing), and no more than 50% from individual professional activities (publications, presentations, research).

Board notes: Board of Registration of Social Workers. Biennial renewal on the licensee's birthday. Hour totals vary by license level: LICSW 30, LCSW 20, LSW 15, LSWA 10; only LICSW has mandated content (10 clinical + 3 ethics), other levels need CE 'relevant to social work practice.' CE must come from CSWE-accredited programs, ASWB ACE-approved providers, NASW, or state/provincial licensing bodies. Retain CE certificates two renewal cycles (4 years) for random audits. No domestic-violence training mandate applies to social workers (that is an Allied Mental Health Board rule).

mass.gov ↗agentsofchangeprep.com ↗onlinececredits.com ↗

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Frequently asked questions

How many CE hours does an LICSW need in Massachusetts?

An LICSW must complete 30 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in Massachusetts. That total includes 3 hours of ethics.

Are there required CE topics for LICSW in Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts requires the following CE topics for LICSW: Professional ethics (3 h); Clinical content (10 h); Anti-racism / anti-discrimination.

Can LICSW CE be completed online in Massachusetts?

Generally yes — Massachusetts does not require live or interactive hours for LICSW, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: No cap on online/home study. Official Board CE page states CEs may be obtained in-person and/or online with no limit on the number obtained online. Separate limits apply: up to 25% of hours may come from related professions (psychology/counseling/nursing), and no more than 50% from individual professional activities (publications, presentations, research)..

What else should LICSW renewals know in Massachusetts?

Board of Registration of Social Workers. Biennial renewal on the licensee's birthday. Hour totals vary by license level: LICSW 30, LCSW 20, LSW 15, LSWA 10; only LICSW has mandated content (10 clinical + 3 ethics), other levels need CE 'relevant to social work practice.' CE must come from CSWE-accredited programs, ASWB ACE-approved providers, NASW, or state/provincial licensing bodies. Retain CE certificates two renewal cycles (4 years) for random audits. No domestic-violence training mandate applies to social workers (that is an Allied Mental Health Board rule).

Other Massachusetts licenses

LMHC in Massachusetts30 CE hours every 2 years Licensed Psychologist in Massachusetts20 CE hours every 2 years LMFT in Massachusetts30 CE hours every 2 years BCBA in Massachusetts32 CE hours every 2 years

LICSW CE requirements in other states

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.