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Continuing Education

LCSW CE Requirements in Tennessee

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) license in Tennessee — 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
6 hethics required
Full Tennessee LCSW requirements
Verified

LCSW

LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
30hours / 2-year renewal cycle
No live / interactive hours required — all hours may be self-study
Mandated topics
  • Social work ethics — 6 h
  • Tennessee statutes/rules (TCA & Board rules) — 1 h
  • Suicide prevention — 2 hBoard-approved program; at least once every 4 years (effective Jan 1, 2020)

Home study: A maximum of two-thirds (2/3) of the required hours may be earned via multimedia/distance-learning courses per 2-year period (i.e., up to 20 of 30 hours for LCSW); at least one-third must be non-distance format.

Board notes: Tiered by license: LBSW 18 hrs, LMSW 24 hrs, LAPSW/LCSW 30 hrs per 2 calendar years (rule 1365-01-.09). All tiers require 6 hrs ethics + 1 hr TN statute/rules; suicide-prevention 2 hrs every 4 yrs. Hours are not filed at renewal; licensees self-attest and retain records for board audit. No explicit live-attendance mandate, but self-study/multimedia is capped at 2/3.

tn.gov ↗law.cornell.edu ↗

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

An LCSW must complete 30 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in Tennessee. That total includes 6 hours of ethics.

Are there required CE topics for LCSW in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee requires the following CE topics for LCSW: Social work ethics (6 h); Tennessee statutes/rules (TCA & Board rules) (1 h); Suicide prevention (2 h).

Can LCSW CE be completed online in Tennessee?

Generally yes — Tennessee does not require live or interactive hours for LCSW, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: A maximum of two-thirds (2/3) of the required hours may be earned via multimedia/distance-learning courses per 2-year period (i.e., up to 20 of 30 hours for LCSW); at least one-third must be non-distance format..

What else should LCSW renewals know in Tennessee?

Tiered by license: LBSW 18 hrs, LMSW 24 hrs, LAPSW/LCSW 30 hrs per 2 calendar years (rule 1365-01-.09). All tiers require 6 hrs ethics + 1 hr TN statute/rules; suicide-prevention 2 hrs every 4 yrs. Hours are not filed at renewal; licensees self-attest and retain records for board audit. No explicit live-attendance mandate, but self-study/multimedia is capped at 2/3.

Other Tennessee licenses
LPC / LPC-MHSP in Tennessee20 CE hours every 2 yearsLicensed Psychologist in Tennessee40 CE hours every 2 yearsLMFT in Tennessee20 CE hours every 2 yearsBCBA in Tennessee35 CE hours every 2 years
LCSW CE requirements in other states
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest 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.