Updated for 2026

Massachusetts LCSW Continuing Education Requirements

Massachusetts clinical social workers must complete 20 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW license.

20

total hours / 2 years

Biennial · renewal date depends on the licensee's birth month.

Massachusetts LCSW requirements

RequirementNotes
Total continuing education20 hours every 2 years.
RenewalBiennial cycle: renews at the end of your birth month.
New licenseesLicensed in the first quarter of the biennium: 15 CE hours (75% of the standard LCSW total).
Approved providersCE must be earned from a board-approved provider.
One-time requirementsOne-time training in domestic and sexual violence required by M.G.L. c.112, §264 and 258 CMR 31.03(4) as a condition of licensure or renewal. The 2 CE credits awarded for completing this training count toward the cycle CE total. Not required if already completed (e.g. submitted with the licensure application). (2 hours, one time).
Other mandatesMassachusetts law (M.G.L. c.119, §51A(k)) requires all professionally licensed mandated reporters, including licensed social workers, to complete training to recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect. This training is legally required but does not count toward the CE hour requirement.
Total hours
20 hours every 2 years.
Renewal
Biennial cycle: renews at the end of your birth month.
New licensees
Licensed in the first quarter of the biennium: 15 CE hours (75% of the standard LCSW total).
Approved providers
CE must be earned from a board-approved provider.
One-time requirements
One-time training in domestic and sexual violence required by M.G.L. c.112, §264 and 258 CMR 31.03(4) as a condition of licensure or renewal. The 2 CE credits awarded for completing this training count toward the cycle CE total. Not required if already completed (e.g. submitted with the licensure application). (2 hours, one time).
Other mandates
Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c.119, §51A(k)) requires all professionally licensed mandated reporters, including licensed social workers, to complete training to recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect. This training is legally required but does not count toward the CE hour requirement.

Massachusetts LCSWrequired trainings & mandates

Beyond the 20-hour CE total, Massachusetts requires specific trainings — some once around initial licensure, some on their own recurring schedule.

One-time requirements

  • One-time training in domestic and sexual violence required by M.G.L. c.112, §264 and 258 CMR 31.03(4) as a condition of licensure or renewal. The 2 CE credits awarded for completing this training count toward the cycle CE total. Not required if already completed (e.g. submitted with the licensure application). (2 hours, one time).

Recurring mandates outside the 2 years cycle

  • Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c.119, §51A(k)) requires all professionally licensed mandated reporters, including licensed social workers, to complete training to recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect. This training is legally required but does not count toward the CE hour requirement.
Full board policy details
  • Up to 50% of total CE hours may come from "individual continuing education activities" (e.g. publishing an article, giving a lecture or presentation, or similar activities individually approved by the Board) under 258 CMR 31.04. This is not an online or self-study delivery cap; approved online programs may supply all required hours.
  • At least 75% of CE hours must come from programs offered by recognized entities under 258 CMR 31.04(2) (e.g. ASWB ACE, CSWE-accredited schools, NASW chapters, official state boards). No more than 25% of CE hours may come from programs approved by APA, NBCC, NHA, ANCC, or ACCME.
  • Standard CE courses must be at least 50 minutes in length. Massachusetts regulations do not impose a specific cap on online vs. in-person hours; interactive online courses approved by a recognized provider are treated like live courses.
  • First-cycle proration (258 CMR 31.03(3)): the CE requirement for the initial license period is prorated by quarter — 75% if licensed in Q1 of the biennium, 50% in Q2, 25% in Q3, and 0% in Q4. For LCSWs this means 15, 10, 5, or 0 hours respectively in lieu of the full 20.
  • Course repeat restrictions: the regulations do not expressly forbid repeating the same CE course within a cycle, nor do they bar an instructor from claiming credit for teaching the same course more than once. Each instance of teaching is treated as an individual continuing education activity under 258 CMR 31.04(4)(b) and counts toward the 50% individual-activities cap. All credit remains subject to Board approval and audit.
  • License status rules: there is no CE exemption for retired or inactive social workers. Licensees who go inactive, retired, or unemployed must still complete the full CE requirement to renew or reactivate. An expired license under one year may be renewed by submitting the renewal form, CE evidence, the renewal fee, and the late fee; if expired more than one year, re-licensure is required. No additional CE hours beyond the normal cycle requirement are imposed on reactivation.
  • Extensions: there is no conditional or provisional renewal pending CE completion. The Board may grant an extension of time to complete CE only upon a showing of hardship, requested before the renewal deadline. Absent a granted extension, a renewal submitted without the required CE will not be processed.

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Massachusetts LCSW CE: frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do Massachusetts LCSW licensees need?

Massachusetts requires 20 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW license. Biennial cycle: renews at the end of your birth month.

How often do Massachusetts LCSW licensees renew?

Biennial cycle: renews at the end of your birth month.

Is the first renewal different for new Massachusetts LCSW licensees?

Licensed in the first quarter of the biennium: 15 CE hours (75% of the standard LCSW total).

Sources & verification

Last verified
July 2026
Ruleset version
2026.2

Reviewed against the Massachusetts board source and refreshed from the compiled ruleset above. Methodology and disclaimer. Compliance data is for guidance only, not legal or board advice. Always confirm requirements with your licensing board before renewing. See something wrong? Report it →

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LCSW CE requirements in other states

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