Continuing Education

LMHC CE Requirements in Massachusetts

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) 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 LMHC requirements

Verified

LMHC

LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor)

30hours / 2-year renewal cycle

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

Mandated topics

Domestic and sexual violence training — 2 hOne-time Board-approved training; counts as 2 CEs in the cycle completed; not repeated each renewal
EthicsNo specific ethics hours are mandated by 262 CMR 7.00; ethics CE is encouraged but not required

Home study: No cap. 262 CMR 7.00 and the official Board CE pages impose no limit on home study / online / distance learning hours and no live-format minimum. (Some provider summaries cite an outdated 15-of-30 home-study cap; this is not in the current regulation.)

Board notes: Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions. 30 contact hours per 2-year cycle under 262 CMR 7.03. First cycle is prorated (22.5 / 15 / 7.5 hours depending on issue date). One-time domestic and sexual violence training required for licensure/renewal (worth 2 CEs). The Board does NOT approve individual courses; CE must come from Board-recognized entities (e.g., MaMHCA/MCEAP, NBCC). Biennial renewal; keep documentation ~4 years for random audits.

regulations.justia.com ↗mass.gov ↗mass.gov ↗mamhca.org ↗

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Frequently asked questions

How many CE hours does an LMHC need in Massachusetts?

An LMHC must complete 30 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in Massachusetts.

Are there required CE topics for LMHC in Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts requires the following CE topics for LMHC: Domestic and sexual violence training (2 h); Ethics.

Can LMHC CE be completed online in Massachusetts?

Generally yes — Massachusetts does not require live or interactive hours for LMHC, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: No cap. 262 CMR 7.00 and the official Board CE pages impose no limit on home study / online / distance learning hours and no live-format minimum. (Some provider summaries cite an outdated 15-of-30 home-study cap; this is not in the current regulation.).

What else should LMHC renewals know in Massachusetts?

Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions. 30 contact hours per 2-year cycle under 262 CMR 7.03. First cycle is prorated (22.5 / 15 / 7.5 hours depending on issue date). One-time domestic and sexual violence training required for licensure/renewal (worth 2 CEs). The Board does NOT approve individual courses; CE must come from Board-recognized entities (e.g., MaMHCA/MCEAP, NBCC). Biennial renewal; keep documentation ~4 years for random audits.

Other Massachusetts licenses

LICSW 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

LMHC 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.