Continuing Education

LMFT CE Requirements in Pennsylvania

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) license in Pennsylvania — 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 Pennsylvania LMFT requirements
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LMFT

LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
30hours / 2-year renewal cycle
No live / interactive hours required — all hours may be self-study
Mandated topics
  • Ethics — 3 h
  • Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (Act 31) — 2 h3 hours required before initial licensure; 2 hours each renewal thereafter
  • Suicide Prevention/Assessment (Act 74) — 1 hRecurring each renewal

Home study: No cap - the Board eliminated its live-CE requirement on 11/19/2019, so all 30 hours may be completed online/home study.

Board notes: Regulated by the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors (49 Pa. Code Ch. 48). Biennial renewal Feb 28 (even years). Same 30-hour standard as social workers and counselors; first-renewal exemption applies to new licensees (Act 31 child abuse still required).

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Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does an LMFT need in Pennsylvania?

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

Are there required CE topics for LMFT in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania requires the following CE topics for LMFT: Ethics (3 h); Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (Act 31) (2 h); Suicide Prevention/Assessment (Act 74) (1 h).

Can LMFT CE be completed online in Pennsylvania?

Generally yes — Pennsylvania does not require live or interactive hours for LMFT, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: No cap - the Board eliminated its live-CE requirement on 11/19/2019, so all 30 hours may be completed online/home study..

What else should LMFT renewals know in Pennsylvania?

Regulated by the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors (49 Pa. Code Ch. 48). Biennial renewal Feb 28 (even years). Same 30-hour standard as social workers and counselors; first-renewal exemption applies to new licensees (Act 31 child abuse still required).

Other Pennsylvania licenses
LMFT 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.