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Continuing Education

LCSW CE Requirements in North Carolina

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

40CE hours / cycle
2 yrrenewal cycle
20 hlive / interactive required
4 hethics required
Full North Carolina LCSW requirements
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LCSW

LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
40hours / 2-year renewal cycle
20 live / interactive hours required
Mandated topics
  • Ethics — 4 h

Home study: Distance learning capped at 20 of the 40 hours (one-half); distance-learning activities must be pre-approved by ASWB-ACE or NASW-NC. At least 20 hours must therefore be attended/live. Live/synchronous webinars with interactive dialogue count as 'attended' (not distance learning).

Board notes: Standard cycle 40 hrs/4 ethics. LCSWA and other sub-cycles pro-rate: 1-year renewal = 20 hrs/2 ethics; 6-month = 10 hrs/1 ethics. Total hours pro-rate monthly; ethics adjusts by quarter (min 1 ethics hr for any period up to 6 months). No carryover of unused hours between cycles.

ncswboard.gov ↗ncswboard.gov ↗

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Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does an LCSW need in North Carolina?

An LCSW must complete 40 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in North Carolina. That total includes 4 hours of ethics. At least 20 of those hours must be live or interactive.

Are there required CE topics for LCSW in North Carolina?

Yes. North Carolina requires the following CE topics for LCSW: Ethics (4 h).

Can LCSW CE be completed online in North Carolina?

Not entirely. North Carolina requires at least 20 live or interactive hours per cycle; the remaining hours may generally be completed through approved home-study / online courses. Home-study note: Distance learning capped at 20 of the 40 hours (one-half); distance-learning activities must be pre-approved by ASWB-ACE or NASW-NC. At least 20 hours must therefore be attended/live. Live/synchronous webinars with interactive dialogue count as 'attended' (not distance learning)..

What else should LCSW renewals know in North Carolina?

Standard cycle 40 hrs/4 ethics. LCSWA and other sub-cycles pro-rate: 1-year renewal = 20 hrs/2 ethics; 6-month = 10 hrs/1 ethics. Total hours pro-rate monthly; ethics adjusts by quarter (min 1 ethics hr for any period up to 6 months). No carryover of unused hours between cycles.

Other North Carolina licenses
LCMHC in North Carolina40 CE hours every 2 yearsPsychologist in North Carolina24 CE hours every 2 yearsLMFT in North Carolina20 CE hours every 1 yearsLicensed Behavior Analyst in North Carolina32 CE hours every 2 years
LCSW CE requirements in other states
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
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.