Updated for 2026

Missouri LCSW, LMSW, LAMSW & LBSW Continuing Education Requirements

Missouri clinical social workers must complete 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / LBSW license, including 3 hours of ethics, 3 hours of implicit bias diversity, and 2 hours of suicide assessment.

30

total hours / 2 years

3

ethics hours

2

suicide assessment hours

3

implicit bias diversity hours

15

home study / self-study hours cap

Biennial · renewal date varies by licensee.

Missouri LCSW, LMSW, LAMSW & LBSW requirements

RequirementNotes
Total continuing education30 hours every 2 years.
RenewalBiennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
Ethics3 hours required each cycle.
Implicit Bias Diversity3 hours required each cycle.
Suicide Assessment2 hours required each cycle.
Format limitsUp to 15 hours may be completed through home study / self-study.
New licenseesFirst renewal is different: new licensees have adjusted first-cycle requirements (proration and/or first-cycle-only rules), which we apply automatically.
Approved providersCE must be earned from a board-approved provider.
Other mandatesMissouri law identifies licensed social workers as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect (RSMo Ch. 210). The Department of Social Services provides a free online mandated reporter training via ProtectMOKids. This statutory obligation is separate from the Committee's CE framework and does NOT count toward the 30-hour biennial CE requirement.
Total hours
30 hours every 2 years.
Renewal
Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
Ethics
3 hours required each cycle.
Implicit Bias Diversity
3 hours required each cycle.
Suicide Assessment
2 hours required each cycle.
Format limits
Up to 15 hours may be completed through home study / self-study.
New licensees
First renewal is different: new licensees have adjusted first-cycle requirements (proration and/or first-cycle-only rules), which we apply automatically.
Approved providers
CE must be earned from a board-approved provider.
Other mandates
Missouri law identifies licensed social workers as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect (RSMo Ch. 210). The Department of Social Services provides a free online mandated reporter training via ProtectMOKids. This statutory obligation is separate from the Committee's CE framework and does NOT count toward the 30-hour biennial CE requirement.
Full board policy details
  • Self-study (correspondence/home study) is capped at 15 hours per 24-month renewal cycle (50% of the 30-hour requirement). At least 15 hours must be earned through live or live-interactive formats. Live interactive webinars by approved sponsors are accepted as equivalent to live courses and do NOT count toward the self-study cap.
  • Live, interactive webinars offered by approved sponsors qualify as live CE under 20 CSR 2263-2.082 and do not count toward the 15-hour self-study/correspondence cap.
  • Temporary waiver: For the 2024-2025 renewal cycles, the State Committee for Social Workers waived the 15-hour correspondence cap, allowing all 30 hours to be earned via correspondence/self-study if needed. This waiver is ad hoc and is not assumed to apply to future cycles unless re-issued by the Committee.
  • Provider approval: All CE must be sponsored by an accepted organization (NASW, ASWB-ACE, professional associations, accredited colleges, etc.) or pre-approved by the Committee. Non-listed providers must apply to the Committee for course approval at least 30 days before the program. There is no allowance for unapproved CE.
  • Course repeat restrictions: Instructors may earn up to 5 hours for preparing and presenting a course, but no credit is granted for repetitious presentations of the same course. The regulations do not explicitly prohibit attendees from repeating a course within a cycle, but credit is generally not granted twice for identical content.
  • Inactive status: A licensee may renew as Inactive if not practicing. No CE is required while on inactive status. To return to active status, the licensee must meet the current renewal CE requirements (30 hours including the mandated topics) or obtain a Committee waiver/extension for good cause.
  • Retired status: Missouri does not maintain a separate "retired" license category for social workers. Licensees who do not wish to practice should renew as Inactive.
  • Expired licenses: A license expired more than two years cannot simply be renewed; the individual must reapply for licensure under the current requirements.
  • First renewal proration: New licensees receive a prorated first cycle. Required CE hours (including the 3 h ethics, 2 h suicide, and 3 h bias/diversity topics) are scaled to the months licensed during the initial cycle, per the proration chart in 20 CSR 2263-2.082.
  • Conditional registration: Missouri does not provide a conditional or provisional renewal that allows practice while completing missing CE. A licensee must complete all required CE before renewing active status. The Committee may grant extensions or waivers for good cause (e.g., illness, military service, residency) on a case-by-case basis.

We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your Missouri LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / LBSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.

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Missouri LCSW, LMSW, LAMSW & LBSW CE: frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do Missouri LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / LBSW licensees need?

Missouri requires 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / LBSW license. Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.

How many ethics hours are required for Missouri LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / LBSW licensees?

Of the total, 3 hours must be in ethics.

How often do Missouri LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / LBSW licensees renew?

Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.

Are there subject-specific CE requirements for Missouri LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / LBSW licensees?

Yes. In addition to ethics, Missouri requires 3 hours of implicit bias diversity, 2 hours of suicide assessment.

Can Missouri LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / LBSW licensees complete CE online or by home study?

Up to 15 hours may be completed through home study / self-study.

Is the first renewal different for new Missouri LCSW / LMSW / LAMSW / 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

Last verified
May 2026
Ruleset version
2026.1

Reviewed against the Missouri 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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Other Missouri CE requirement pages

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