Alaska LCSW, LMSW & LBSW Continuing Education Requirements
Alaska clinical social workers must complete 45 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW / LMSW / LBSW license, including 3 hours of professional ethics, 6 hours of substance abuse education, 6 hours of cross cultural education, 3 hours of alaska native cross cultural, 3 hours of teletherapy practice, and 3 hours of suicide education.
45
total hours / 2 years
6
substance abuse education hours
6
cross cultural education hours
3
alaska native cross cultural hours
3
professional ethics hours
3
teletherapy practice hours
3
suicide education hours
10
live hours minimum
Biennial · renewal date varies by licensee.
Alaska LCSW, LMSW & LBSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 45 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date. |
| Professional Ethics | 3 hours required each cycle. |
| Substance Abuse Education | 6 hours required each cycle. |
| Cross Cultural Education | 6 hours required each cycle. |
| Alaska Native Cross Cultural | 3 hours required each cycle. |
| Teletherapy Practice | 3 hours required each cycle. |
| Suicide Education | 3 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | At least 10 hours must be earned live. |
| New licensees | First renewal is different: new licensees have adjusted first-cycle requirements (proration and/or first-cycle-only rules), which we apply automatically. |
Full board policy details
- At least 10 of the required contact hours (45 for regular renewals; 21 for a first renewal after less than 12 months of licensure) must be earned through interactive (live, live online, or otherwise synchronous) training courses. The remaining hours may be earned through correspondence, prerecorded/audiovisual, or other asynchronous programs. "Live online" synchronous Internet courses count toward the 10-hour live minimum.
- Acceptable CE activities are defined under 12 AAC 18.220 and include courses offered by ASWB, NASW, CSWE-accredited programs, and similar recognized providers. Courses outside the listed categories may count only if preapproved by the Board and only up to 15 hours per cycle.
- Course repeat restrictions: Instructor/presenter credit is limited to first-time preparation and presentation of a social-work course or seminar, with a maximum of 10 hours per cycle for first-time preparation/presentation allocated among all presenters and other professionals involved when multiple instructors or co-presenters are involved. Re-presenting the same course in the same renewal period does not earn additional credit. The regulations do not explicitly prohibit attendees from repeating the same course, but credit is typically awarded only once per unique course.
- License status rules: 12 AAC 18.210 imposes CE only on a licensee applying for renewal, so inactive or retired licensees who are not renewing are not subject to CE during that status. To reactivate from inactive or retired status, the licensee must satisfy the current renewal CE requirements (45 hours covering all mandated topics) before the license can be reinstated. The regulations do not specify reduced reactivation hours; verification with the Board is advised.
- No conditional or provisional renewal is provided for under Alaska regulations. All required CE must be completed before the renewal application is submitted; there is no extension or temporary license mechanism to finish CE after the renewal date.
We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your Alaska LCSW / LMSW / LBSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track Alaska LCSW / LMSW / LBSW CE free →Alaska LCSW, LMSW & LBSW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do Alaska LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees need?
Alaska requires 45 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW / LMSW / LBSW license. Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
How many ethics hours are required for Alaska LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees?
Of the total, 3 hours must be in professional ethics.
How often do Alaska LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
Are there subject-specific CE requirements for Alaska LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees?
Yes. In addition to ethics, Alaska requires 6 hours of substance abuse education, 6 hours of cross cultural education, 3 hours of alaska native cross cultural, 3 hours of teletherapy practice, 3 hours of suicide education.
Can Alaska LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees complete CE online or by home study?
At least 10 hours must be earned live.
Is the first renewal different for new Alaska LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees?
First renewal is different: new licensees have adjusted first-cycle requirements (proration and/or first-cycle-only rules), which we apply automatically.
Sources & verification
- State source
- Alaska board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- April 2025
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the Alaska board source and refreshed from the compiled ruleset above. Methodology and disclaimer. Compliance data is informational only and not legal or board advice. Always verify requirements with your licensing board before you renew. See something wrong? Report it →
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