North Dakota LCSW, LMSW & LBSW Continuing Education Requirements
North Dakota clinical social workers must complete 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW / LMSW / LBSW license, including 2 hours of social work ethics.
30
total hours / 2 years
2
social work ethics hours
Biennial renewal · calculating the next statewide deadline
North Dakota LCSW, LMSW & LBSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 30 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: renewal filing due November 15 of odd years; license expires December 31. |
| Social Work Ethics | 2 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | Up to 10 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. |
Limits on how the hours are earned
Board caps and floors on where the 30 hours can come from.
- home study / self-studymax 10 hrs
Full board policy details
- A maximum of 10 contact hours of "independent learning" (self-study, including online study without live interaction) may be applied toward the 30-hour biennial CE requirement. By implication, at least 20 hours must come from live or live-interactive courses (synchronous webinars or in-person events).
- Course repeat restrictions: A licensee who teaches a CE program may claim hour-for-hour credit for that presentation only once per program per renewal cycle. Instructors cannot earn double credit by teaching the same CE course multiple times in one renewal period. The rules do not otherwise prohibit attendees from repeating the same course for credit.
- License status rules: North Dakota law does not recognize inactive or retired social work license statuses (these were repealed). All active licensed social workers must satisfy the CE requirement by renewal. Failure to renew by December 31 of the renewal year causes the license to expire, and the licensee may not practice until reapplying. There is no special CE make-up period for reactivation; reactivating a lapsed license requires a new initial application.
- Conditional registration: North Dakota does not provide a conditional or provisional renewal for licensees who have not completed CE. Verification of required continuing education must accompany the renewal application. The board may waive or extend deadlines for documented hardship, but routine completion is required by the expiration date.
- Provider approval: All credited CE must be presented by providers approved by the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. National accreditors (e.g., ASWB) may be accepted to the extent the board recognizes them.
We turn every category, format limit, and one-time rule on this page into a live checklist on your North Dakota LCSW / LMSW / LBSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track North Dakota LCSW / LMSW / LBSW CE free →North Dakota LCSW, LMSW & LBSW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do North Dakota LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees need?
North Dakota requires 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW / LMSW / LBSW license. Biennial cycle: renewal filing due November 15 of odd years; license expires December 31.
How many ethics hours are required for North Dakota LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees?
Of the total, 2 hours must be in social work ethics.
How often do North Dakota LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: renewal filing due November 15 of odd years; license expires December 31.
Can North Dakota LCSW / LMSW / LBSW licensees complete CE online or by home study?
Up to 10 hours may be completed through home study / self-study.
Is the first renewal different for new North Dakota 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
- North Dakota board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- July 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.2
Reviewed against the North Dakota 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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