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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
—ethics 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
  • Domestic violence and sexual violence training258 CMR 31.03: applicants and licensees 'shall participate in at least one domestic violence and sexual violence training as a condition for licensure, renewal, revival or reinstatement.' One-time - a previously completed Board/DPH-approved course need not be repeated unless the Board requires it. The regulation sets no fixed hour count.
  • 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 under 258 CMR 31.00: at least 75% of CE must be in courses approved by a recognized entity; up to 25% may be approved by sister professions (APA, NBCC, NHA, ANCC, ACCME); and no more than 50% may come from individual continuing education activities (publications, presentations, research).

Board notes: Board of Registration of Social Workers, 258 CMR 31.00. Biennial renewal on the licensee's birthday. Hour totals vary by license level: LICSW 30, LCSW 20, LSW 15, LSWA 10. 258 CMR 31.03 mandates NO subject-specific hour minimums - there is no 3-hour ethics requirement and no 10-hour clinical-content requirement for LICSW (the prior dataset entry was wrong on both). The one mandated training is a domestic violence and sexual violence training, required of ALL social work applicants and licensees as a condition of licensure, renewal, revival or reinstatement (the prior dataset entry incorrectly said this applies only to the Allied Mental Health Board). CE must come from CSWE-accredited programs, ASWB ACE-approved providers, NASW, or state/provincial licensing bodies; minimum 75% from a recognized approving entity. Retain CE certificates two renewal cycles (4 years) for random audits.

mass.gov ↗mass.gov ↗mass.gov ↗regulations.justia.com ↗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.

Are there required CE topics for LICSW in Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts requires the following CE topics for LICSW: Domestic violence and sexual violence training; 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 under 258 CMR 31.00: at least 75% of CE must be in courses approved by a recognized entity; up to 25% may be approved by sister professions (APA, NBCC, NHA, ANCC, ACCME); and no more than 50% may come from individual continuing education activities (publications, presentations, research)..

What else should LICSW renewals know in Massachusetts?

Board of Registration of Social Workers, 258 CMR 31.00. Biennial renewal on the licensee's birthday. Hour totals vary by license level: LICSW 30, LCSW 20, LSW 15, LSWA 10. 258 CMR 31.03 mandates NO subject-specific hour minimums - there is no 3-hour ethics requirement and no 10-hour clinical-content requirement for LICSW (the prior dataset entry was wrong on both). The one mandated training is a domestic violence and sexual violence training, required of ALL social work applicants and licensees as a condition of licensure, renewal, revival or reinstatement (the prior dataset entry incorrectly said this applies only to the Allied Mental Health Board). CE must come from CSWE-accredited programs, ASWB ACE-approved providers, NASW, or state/provincial licensing bodies; minimum 75% from a recognized approving entity. Retain CE certificates two renewal cycles (4 years) for random audits.

Other Massachusetts licenses
LMHC in Massachusetts30 CE hours every 2 yearsLicensed Psychologist in Massachusetts20 CE hours every 2 yearsLMFT in Massachusetts30 CE hours every 2 yearsBCBA in Massachusetts32 CE hours every 2 years
LICSW CE requirements in other states
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Updated August 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.