New Mexico LCSW, LISW, LMSW & LBSW Continuing Education Requirements
New Mexico clinical social workers must complete 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW license, including 3 hours of professional ethics and 6 hours of cultural awareness.
30
total hours / 2 years
6
cultural awareness hours
3
professional ethics hours
Biennial · renewal date varies by licensee.
New Mexico LCSW, LISW, LMSW & LBSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 30 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date. |
| Professional Ethics | 3 hours required each cycle. |
| Cultural Awareness | 6 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | Up to 7 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. |
| Recordkeeping | Keep CE documentation for 4 years after each renewal. |
| Board audit | The board may audit licensees to verify CE compliance. |
Limits on how the hours are earned
Board caps and floors on where the 30 hours can come from.
- home study / self-studymax 7 hrs
Keeping the proof in order: what to keep for a CE audit, with every state’s retention period and what the audit notice asks for.
Full board policy details
- No more than seven hours in a renewal period may be self-directed. Preparation and presentation time described in section 16.63.12.14 is included in this discretionary pool.
- The Board does not maintain a provider list. The licensee must determine where to obtain qualifying CE and retain provider contact information.
- All hours must be earned in the current July 1-through-June 30 two-year renewal period; carryover is prohibited.
- The replacement rule does not establish a general duplicate-course ban.
- Return from inactive or retired status requires no less than ten CE hours for each year in that status plus any unmet hours from when the status began.
We turn every category, format limit, and one-time rule on this page into a live checklist on your New Mexico LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track New Mexico LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW CE free →New Mexico LCSW, LISW, LMSW & LBSW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do New Mexico LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW licensees need?
New Mexico requires 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW license. Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
How many ethics hours are required for New Mexico LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW licensees?
Of the total, 3 hours must be in professional ethics.
How often do New Mexico LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
Are there subject-specific CE requirements for New Mexico LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW licensees?
Yes. In addition to ethics, New Mexico requires 6 hours of cultural awareness.
Can New Mexico LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW licensees complete CE online or by home study?
Up to 7 hours may be completed through home study / self-study.
Sources & verification
- State source
- New Mexico board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- August 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.2
Reviewed against the New Mexico 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 →
Track your New Mexico LCSW / LISW / LMSW / LBSW CE without the spreadsheet.
Log your hours, watch every category pace toward your biennial renewal, and keep your certificates in one record. Free to start, no credit card required.
Create your free recordNew Mexicoguides & data
What to keep for a CE audit
What boards ask for in a CE audit, how long each state says to keep certificates, what the notice looks like, and a printable checklist.
New Mexico mental health workforce data
13,693 active providers, or 644.2 per 100,000 residents, ranked 9 of 51. County density map and free CSV downloads.