Michigan LCSW, LMSW & LBSW Continuing Education Requirements
Michigan clinical social workers must complete 45 continuing education hours every 3 years to renew their LCSW / LMSW / LBSW license, including 5 hours of ethics, 2 hours of pain and symptom management, and 2 hours of human trafficking.
45
total hours / 3 years
5
ethics hours
2
pain and symptom management hours
2
human trafficking hours
50%
home study / self-study cap
22.5
live hours minimum
Triennial · renewal date depends on the licensee's issue date.
Michigan LCSW, LMSW & LBSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 45 hours every 3 years. |
| Renewal | Triennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary. |
| Ethics | 5 hours required each cycle. |
| Pain and Symptom Management | 2 hours required each cycle. |
| Human Trafficking | 2 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | At most 50% of hours may be home study / self-study. |
| Format limits | At least 22.5 hours must be earned live. |
| Approved providers | CE must be earned from a board-approved provider. |
| Other mandates | Michigan requires implicit bias training for all license renewals on or after June 1, 2022. The requirement is 1 hour of implicit bias training per year of the license cycle (3 hours for a 3-year renewal cycle). This training is mandated by R 338.7004 and is separate from the 45-hour CE total, although qualifying coursework may also count toward CE. |
Full board policy details
- At least 50% of the required 45 continuing education contact hours must be completed in person or using a format that permits live, synchronous contact (R 338.2963(1)). Live, interactive online courses qualify as live/synchronous. Equivalently, no more than 50% of hours may be asynchronous/self-study.
- CE credits cannot be carried forward between renewal cycles (R 338.2963(2)).
- Course repeat restriction: A licensee may not earn CE credit for completing the same course twice within the same renewal cycle (R 338.2963(3)). Instructor/presenter credit is available at 3 contact hours per hour taught for a board-approved program that is not part of regular job duties, capped at 15 hours per cycle, and credit for presenting the same program may only be claimed once per cycle.
- All CE hours must be earned from board-approved sources listed in R 338.2963(4), including ASWB-approved providers, NASW (national or Michigan chapter), CSWE-accredited social work programs, and programs approved by other states' social work licensing boards.
- License status: The administrative rules do not provide an automatic CE exemption for inactive or retired status. Only active licenses are renewed; CE is required at each renewal. To reactivate or reinstate a lapsed license, the licensee must demonstrate completion of the 45 CE hours for the prior 3-year period. No conditional or provisional renewal is available if CE is incomplete; a hardship waiver may be requested under MCL 333.16205 before the expiration date (R 338.2961(6)).
- First renewal: Michigan rules make no provision for a prorated or reduced first cycle. All renewals, including the first, require the full 45 CE hours and all topical requirements.
We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your Michigan LCSW / LMSW / LBSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track Michigan LCSW / LMSW / LBSW CE free →Michigan LCSW, LMSW & LBSW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do Michigan LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees need?
Michigan requires 45 continuing education hours every 3 years to renew a LCSW / LMSW / LBSW license. Triennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary.
How many ethics hours are required for Michigan LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees?
Of the total, 5 hours must be in ethics.
How often do Michigan LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees renew?
Triennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary.
Are there subject-specific CE requirements for Michigan LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees?
Yes. In addition to ethics, Michigan requires 2 hours of pain and symptom management, 2 hours of human trafficking.
Can Michigan LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees complete CE online or by home study?
At most 50% of hours may be home study / self-study. At least 22.5 hours must be earned live.
Sources & verification
- State source
- Michigan board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- May 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the Michigan 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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