California LCSW CE requirements

What belongs in the 36 hours

• 36 total CE hours: Required during each two-year renewal period — for both the first and subsequent renewals.
• 6 hours California Law & Ethics: Required within the 36 hours for each subsequent renewal period.
• First-renewal coursework: For a first renewal, confirm the specific coursework required using the BBS CE Summary Chart; the Law & Ethics rule applies to subsequent renewals.
• One-time telehealth CE (3 hours): Applies to renewals/restorations on or after July 1, 2023, unless proof was already submitted when the license was issued.
• One-time suicide risk assessment/intervention (6 hours) or supervised experience: Applies to renewals/restorations on or after January 1, 2021, unless proof was already submitted when the license was issued.
• BBS-accepted provider: Courses must come from a provider or approval agency accepted by the Board; BBS does not verify a provider's current standing for you.

Before you enroll

Check that the course is offered by a Board-accepted provider or approval agency and that the description meets your needed topic. If this is your first renewal, review the BBS CE Summary Chart to confirm which coursework applies — do not assume the 6-hour Law & Ethics rule alone describes your obligation. Also confirm whether the one-time telehealth (3 hours) and suicide risk assessment/intervention (6 hours, or supervised experience) requirements were already satisfied; they apply to renewals on or after July 1, 2023 and January 1, 2021 respectively unless proof was submitted at licensure. BBS does not verify a provider's current standing for you.

Read California BBS continuing education requirements ↗