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
10
home study / self-study hours cap
Biennial · renewal date varies by licensee.
North Dakota LCSW, LMSW & LBSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 30 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date. |
| 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. |
| Other mandates | Mandated reporter (child abuse and neglect) training required of all initial licensees under HB 1562 (NDCC 15.1-07-34), effective August 1, 2025. Training takes at least one hour and must be completed via the state's Mandated Reporter portal. This training is separate from CE and does not count toward the 30-hour biennial CE requirement. |
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License status rules: North Dakota law does not recognize inactive or retired social work license statuses (these were repealed).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 all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) 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: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
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: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
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
- May 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the North Dakota 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 →
Track your North Dakota LCSW / LMSW / LBSW CE the easy way.
Log hours, watch every category pace toward biennial renewal, and keep your certificates in one record. Free to start, no card required.
Create your free record