Utah LCSW Continuing Education Requirements
Utah clinical social workers must complete 40 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW license, including 6 hours of ethics and 2 hours of suicide prevention.
40
total hours / 2 years
6
ethics hours
2
suicide prevention hours
15
home study / self-study hours cap
Biennial · renewal date varies by licensee.
Utah LCSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 40 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date. |
| Ethics | 6 hours required each cycle. |
| Suicide Prevention | 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. |
Full board policy details
- Of the 40 hours per 2-year cycle, no more than 15 hours may be earned through asynchronous (non–real-time) distance learning. The remaining 25 hours must be completed in person or via live, interactive webinars. Synchronous online courses (real-time interactive) count as live activity and are not subject to the 15-hour asynchronous cap.
- Course repeat restrictions: R156-60a-304(3)(b)(iii) limits instructor credit — an LCSW who teaches the same course may claim CE for at most two presentations of that course per renewal cycle, up to 10 hours total. The rule does not explicitly prohibit a licensee from retaking the same course as an attendee, but duplicate content is not expected to yield additional valid CE.
- Approved providers: All CE must be offered or sponsored by (i) a CSWE-accredited college or university; (ii) a county, state, or federal agency; (iii) a professional association related to clinical mental health therapy; or (iv) a mental health agency providing clinical services. Utah does not maintain a separate board-approved provider list.
- License status — inactive/retired/lapsed: Utah does not define a distinct inactive or retired LCSW status with modified CE obligations. A licensee who does not renew is not required to complete CE during the lapse, but must meet current CE requirements upon renewal/reactivation. Under R156-60a-303(3), a license that has been expired for more than 5 years may require up to 40 hours of CE (as determined by the Board) to reinstate.
- Conditional registration: Utah does not provide a conditional or provisional renewal for licensees short on CE. CE must be completed by the renewal deadline; otherwise the license expires and the licensee must pursue reinstatement.
- First renewal proration: Licensees not licensed for a full 2-year term must complete 1.6 CE hours per month licensed (per DOPL renewal guidance). The 6-hour ethics and 2-hour suicide prevention requirements still apply at first renewal.
We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your Utah LCSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track Utah LCSW CE free →Utah LCSW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do Utah LCSW licensees need?
Utah requires 40 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW license. Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
How many ethics hours are required for Utah LCSW licensees?
Of the total, 6 hours must be in ethics.
How often do Utah LCSW licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
Are there subject-specific CE requirements for Utah LCSW licensees?
Yes. In addition to ethics, Utah requires 2 hours of suicide prevention.
Can Utah LCSW 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 Utah LCSW 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
- Utah board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- May 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the Utah 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 Utah LCSW 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