In California, Licensed Clinical Social Workers must complete 36 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their licenses through the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Requirements include specific one-time courses in telehealth, suicide risk, HIV/AIDS, child abuse, and substance dependency, plus six hours of laws and ethics before every renewal.
Many of the issues social workers combat are older than the field itself. But with each passing year, they evolve.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed frightening new layers in the nation’s problems with mental health. Economic recessions and advancements alike continue to push more people to the brink of poverty and homelessness. And while vast swaths of society are more accepting than ever, the most negative, reactionary voices always seem to be the loudest.
Social workers must be able to navigate this ever-changing landscape. Continuing education (CE) courses allow them to do so.
In California, continuing education is so important that nearly every licensed social worker must complete a set number of hours before renewing their license. If you’re already licensed — or exploring how to become a social worker in California — here’s what you need to know about CE requirements, what kinds of courses you might take, and where to find approved providers.
Continuing Education Requirements for Social Workers in California
In California, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) must renew their licenses through the Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) every two years. Within those two years, they must complete 36 hours of continuing education. Check the BBS directly for the most current California social work licensing requirements, as regulations are subject to change.
Outside of the hour requirement, the BBS enforces several important regulations:
- Courses must be relevant to social work practice. Self-help programs and courses not designed specifically for practitioners do not count.
- All LCSWs must complete specific one-time courses. LCSWs must complete three hours of telehealth courses and six hours of suicide risk assessment and intervention courses. Supervised training counts toward the suicide risk requirement. Once these two requirements are met, LCSWs don’t have to take them again.
- A one-time seven-hour HIV/AIDS course is required for most licensees before first renewal. Over 150,000 people in California live with HIV (CDC estimate, recent data). Social workers are integral to getting them the help they need and preventing new cases. A seven-hour course in child abuse assessment and reporting is also required before the first renewal. Fifteen hours in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency may be required, depending on licensure date and prior coursework.
- LCSWs must complete six hours of laws and ethics courses before every renewal. As new issues and interventions arise, social workers must stay current on their ethical responsibilities and legal restrictions.
Outside of these requirements, social workers can pursue continuing education in just about any topic that improves their ability to serve clients.
Some topics you can study in social work CE courses include:
- Self-care and creating healthy professional boundaries
- Operating a private practice (staffing, insurance billing, etc.)
- Racial discrimination, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and other emerging social justice needs
- Serving aging clients and their families
- New advancements in psychotherapeutic medications and interventions
- Navigating legal issues associated with social work
- Administration and personnel management
- Research and experimental design
- Community-based advocacy
- How to serve new and diverse populations
Some courses are designed for professionals with little to no experience in specific areas of social service. Others serve experienced professionals facing new dilemmas in their careers. Either way, continuing education helps professionals stay current and improve service quality throughout their careers.
Other Ways to Earn Social Work Continuing Education Credits
The BBS has specific CE hour requirements, but social workers can fulfill them in a variety of ways. Standard learning opportunities include:
- Attending conferences, workshops, and seminars
- Enrolling in in-person classes and attending lectures
- Taking online classes — some are live while others are pre-recorded
- Reading approved materials (physical or online)
But these learning opportunities are only one way to earn CE credits. The BBS lists a number of other activities that count toward the 36-hour requirement:
- Teaching a course for a BBS-approved CE provider. This can count for up to 18 hours or the same amount of credit a student in the class can claim. Teaching can only be used to fulfill the CE requirement once per renewal period.
- Consulting on an enforcement case review for the BBS. When a licensed social worker is accused of violating ethical bylaws, the BBS investigates, holds a hearing, and may take disciplinary action. LCSWs can earn up to six hours of law and ethics credits by aiding in the process.
- Serving on a professional law and ethics review committee. To earn six hours of law and ethics credit, social workers can help a mental health agency perform a legal and ethical review.
- Serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the BBS. The BBS recruits SMEs to write exam questions and provide input. This counts for six law and ethics credit hours. SMEs must be licensed for at least one year.
- Completing the BBS’s occupational analysis survey. Every five years, the BBS surveys its licensees about their duties. Completing the survey counts for six CE credits.
LCSWs must record and track their CE hours themselves. The BBS doesn’t require social workers to submit course completion certificates with their license renewal paperwork — but it does conduct audits. Licensees must keep CE records for at least two years after the renewal period.
Finding Approved Social Work Continuing Education Providers
The BBS does not maintain a comprehensive public list of all individual CE providers. Instead, it recognizes four types of providers that meet its standards.
Board-Recognized Approval Agencies
Even though the BBS doesn’t approve each provider individually, it recognizes specific organizations as meeting CE standards. Two of these agencies are dedicated entirely to social work.
The first is the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Since 1955, the NASW has been one of the most influential professional organizations in the field. Their Social Work Online CE Institute offers hundreds of classes and a CE hour tracker. Prices vary widely depending on course length and format. NASW members receive discounts on courses and publications that count toward CE requirements. Additional CE classes are available through the NASW California Chapter’s EmpowerEd program.
The second is the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The ASWB is made up of social work licensing boards in all 50 states, including the BBS. While they don’t offer CE courses themselves, their Approved Continuing Education (ACE) database lists events and classes across the country and many online programs.
CE Providers Approved by a Board-Recognized Agency
A wide range of private companies offer CE opportunities. Companies approved by BBS-recognized agencies like the NASW and ASWB generally meet the BBS’s CE requirements.
For instance, the NASW maintains an Approved CE Courses database that includes live events, online courses, and other opportunities offered by approved organizations. Topics range from leadership and research to human rights, clinical practice, and spirituality.
Accredited Colleges and Universities
The California Business and Professions Code specifies that licensed social workers can pursue CE credits through schools of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or programs that are candidates for CSWE accreditation.
California is home to approximately 29 CSWE-accredited programs as of 2025 (approximate, subject to change), though not all offer continuing education courses. USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work regularly hosts seminars and events that count toward CE hours.
Schools Approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
The BPPE regulates private colleges, trade schools, and vocational schools in California. They promote transparency in the educational sector and protect students from fraud. According to the BBS, CE credits earned from BPPE-approved schools count toward licensing requirements.
Some BPPE-approved schools also hold CSWE accreditation. One example is Alliant University — they offer an MSW program and continuing education programs open to working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do California social workers need to renew their license?
LCSWs in California must complete 36 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license through the Board of Behavioral Science. These hours must come from BBS-approved sources and be relevant to social work practice.
What are the mandatory CE courses for California LCSWs?
Before their first license renewal, most LCSWs must complete a seven-hour HIV/AIDS course, seven hours in child abuse assessment and reporting, and — depending on licensure date and prior coursework — fifteen hours in alcoholism and chemical substance dependency. All LCSWs must also complete a three-hour telehealth course and six hours of suicide risk assessment training once, and six hours of laws and ethics before every renewal.
Can California social workers complete CE hours online?
Yes. The BBS accepts both live and pre-recorded online courses from approved providers. The NASW’s Social Work Online CE Institute and the ASWB’s ACE database both include online options that meet California’s requirements.
Do California LCSWs have to submit CE certificates when renewing their license?
No. The BBS does not require CE completion certificates to be submitted with renewal paperwork. However, the BBS does conduct audits, so licensees must keep their CE records for at least two years after the renewal period ends.
What counts as an approved CE provider in California?
The BBS recognizes four types of approved providers: board-recognized approval agencies like the NASW and ASWB, private companies approved by those agencies, CSWE-accredited colleges and universities, and schools approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
Key Takeaways
- ✓36 hours every two years — California LCSWs must complete 36 CE hours per renewal cycle through the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- ✓Mandatory one-time courses — Before first renewal, most LCSWs must complete training in HIV/AIDS, child abuse, and (depending on licensure date) substance dependency; telehealth and suicide risk training are required once at any point.
- ✓Ethics every renewal — Six hours of laws and ethics coursework is required before every license renewal, not just the first.
- ✓Multiple paths to credit — Beyond courses, LCSWs can earn hours by teaching, consulting on BBS enforcement reviews, serving on ethics committees, or acting as Subject Matter Experts.
- ✓Keep your own records — The BBS doesn’t collect CE certificates at renewal, but audits do happen. Hold onto documentation for at least two years.
Licensure is how California ensures its most vulnerable residents are protected by qualified, accountable professionals. Take the next step toward yours.
