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Continuing Education

LCSW CE Requirements in Virginia

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) license in Virginia — 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 Virginia 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
  • Ethics / Standards of Practice / Laws Governing Social Work in Virginia — 6 hMinimum 6 of the 30 hours 'must pertain to ethics or the standards of practice' for the behavioral health professions or to laws governing the practice of social work in Virginia (18VAC140-20-105).

Home study: Min 20 hours in Category I (formally organized learning: accredited university courses, CSWE-accredited programs, workshops sponsored by agencies/hospitals, or programs approved by NASW/ASWB/Clinical Social Work Association); max 10 of the 30 hours in Category II (individual professional activities including self-study, professional reading, publications, field instruction) (18VAC140-20-105).

Board notes: Continuing education is set by 18VAC140-20-105 (not -107): 30 contact hours for LCSWs (15 for LBSW/LMSW), min 20 Category I / max 10 Category II, min 6 hours ethics or standards of practice. Licenses are renewed annually on or before June 30 (18VAC140-20-100), but the CE requirement is documented biennially - at the renewal in even-numbered years - so the effective CE cycle is 2 years. Newly licensed individuals are exempt from documenting CE at the first renewal following initial licensure (18VAC140-20-100). No face-to-face or real-time interactive hours are mandated. Up to 2 hours may be earned via uncompensated social work services to low-income clients at a local health department or free clinic (3 volunteer hours = 1 CE hour).

law.lis.virginia.gov ↗law.lis.virginia.gov ↗dhp.virginia.gov ↗

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

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

Are there required CE topics for LCSW in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia requires the following CE topics for LCSW: Ethics / Standards of Practice / Laws Governing Social Work in Virginia (6 h).

Can LCSW CE be completed online in Virginia?

Generally yes — Virginia does not require live or interactive hours for LCSW, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: Min 20 hours in Category I (formally organized learning: accredited university courses, CSWE-accredited programs, workshops sponsored by agencies/hospitals, or programs approved by NASW/ASWB/Clinical Social Work Association); max 10 of the 30 hours in Category II (individual professional activities including self-study, professional reading, publications, field instruction) (18VAC140-20-105)..

What else should LCSW renewals know in Virginia?

Continuing education is set by 18VAC140-20-105 (not -107): 30 contact hours for LCSWs (15 for LBSW/LMSW), min 20 Category I / max 10 Category II, min 6 hours ethics or standards of practice. Licenses are renewed annually on or before June 30 (18VAC140-20-100), but the CE requirement is documented biennially - at the renewal in even-numbered years - so the effective CE cycle is 2 years. Newly licensed individuals are exempt from documenting CE at the first renewal following initial licensure (18VAC140-20-100). No face-to-face or real-time interactive hours are mandated. Up to 2 hours may be earned via uncompensated social work services to low-income clients at a local health department or free clinic (3 volunteer hours = 1 CE hour).

Other Virginia licenses
LPC in Virginia20 CE hours every 1 yearsLicensed Psychologist in Virginia14 CE hours every 1 yearsLMFT in Virginia20 CE hours every 1 yearsLicensed Behavior Analyst in Virginia32 CE hours every 2 years
LCSW CE requirements in other states
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontWashingtonWest 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.