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
Biennial renewal · calculating the next statewide deadline
Utah LCSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 40 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: CE due by September 30 of even years. |
| Ethics | 6 hours required each cycle. |
| Suicide Prevention | 2 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | Up to 10 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. |
| Carryover | Up to 10 unused hours can carry into the next cycle. |
| New licensees | First renewal is different: new licensees have adjusted first-cycle requirements (proration and/or first-cycle-only rules), which we apply automatically. |
Limits on how the hours are earned
Board caps and floors on where the 40 hours can come from.
- home study / self-studymax 10 hrs
- lecture or instructionmax 5 hrs
- certifiable clinical readingmax 10 hrs
- direct clinical supervision providedmax 10 hrs
- professional leadership servicemax 6 hrs
- volunteer mental health servicemax 10 hrs
- peer case consultationmax 10 hrs
- peer direct observationmax 10 hrs
- carryovermax 10 hrs
Full board policy details
- Of the 40 hours per 2-year cycle, no more than 10 hours may be earned through asynchronous (non–real-time) distance learning. Synchronous online courses that are documented as real-time and interactive are not subject to the 10-hour asynchronous cap.
- Course repeat restrictions: R156-60e-402.1(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 5 hours total. The rule does not impose a general attendee repeat-course prohibition.
- Other activity limits per cycle are 10 hours each for certifiable clinical readings, direct clinical supervision provided, volunteer mental-health service, peer case consultation, and peer direct observation; and 6 hours for professional board, committee, or leadership service.
- Division-approved clinical supervisors must complete 6 additional hours specifically related to supervision in every two-year cycle.
- Approved providers: All CE must be approved, conducted, or sponsored by (i) an accredited institution of higher education; (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 R156-60e-403.1, 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: Current DOPL renewal guidance requires an LCSW licensed for less than the full first cycle to complete 1.6 CE hours for each month licensed, based on the issue and expiration dates.
We turn every category, format limit, and one-time rule on this page 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: CE due by September 30 of even years.
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: CE due by September 30 of even years.
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 10 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
- August 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.3
Reviewed against the Utah 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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