Vermont LCSW Continuing Education Requirements
Vermont clinical social workers must complete 20 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW license, including 1.5 hours of ethics.
20
total hours / 2 years
1.5
ethics hours
15
live hours minimum
5
home study / self-study hours cap
Biennial · renewal date varies by licensee.
Vermont LCSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 20 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date. |
| Ethics | 1.5 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | Up to 5 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. |
| Format limits | At least 15 hours must be earned live. |
| Provisional renewal | The board allows a provisional/conditional renewal for up to 3 months before full compliance is required. Per 3 V.S.A. § 129(k), the Director may grant up to 90 days after renewal for a licensee to complete deficient CE under a corrective plan. The license is renewed on time but conditioned on completion within 90 days. |
Full board policy details
- At least 15 of the 20 required hours must be formal in-person education (Vt. Admin. Code 04-030-070 §6.5(a)). Synchronous (live, real-time interactive) virtual CE qualifies as live in-person per 26 V.S.A. § 3208(d) and OPR guidance.
- No more than 5 hours per renewal cycle may be informal or self-directed educational activity (independent reading, recorded videos, etc.) per §6.5. This is an absolute 5-hour cap (25% of the 20-hour total).
- Provider eligibility: Vermont does not maintain a state-approved provider list. Per §6.8, the Director accepts CE offered by accredited colleges and universities; courses sponsored by national or state social work organizations or boards (e.g., NASW, CSWE, ASWB); CE sponsored or approved by relevant professional organizations (medicine, law, etc.); and in-service training approved by such organizations. Programs approved by NASW, CSWE, or ASWB are deemed approved CE.
- Course repeat restrictions and instructor credit: Per §6.7(a), lectures, teaching, or other activities performed for financial remuneration are NOT eligible for CE credit. The rules do not explicitly address taking the same course twice, but only actual time spent in acceptable educational activities during the cycle may be claimed; double-counting the same content is not accepted.
- License status — inactive/retired: CE is tied to active renewal, so licensees on inactive status do not accrue CE during the inactive period. Vermont does not define a separate "retired" category for social workers; non-renewing retirees have no CE obligation.
- Reactivation from inactive/lapsed status: A returning licensee must satisfy the standard CE requirements (20 hours including 1.5h ethics and, for 2026+ renewals, 1h systematic oppression) for the two-year period immediately preceding reactivation. Per 26 V.S.A. § 3208(e), the Director may set additional reinstatement standards for licenses lapsed more than 5 years.
- Conditional registration: Under 3 V.S.A. § 129(k), the Director may grant up to 90 days after renewal for a licensee to complete deficient CE under a corrective plan. The license is renewed on time but conditioned on completion within 90 days; no further extension or renewal of the conditional period is allowed.
We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your Vermont LCSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track Vermont LCSW CE free →Vermont LCSW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do Vermont LCSW licensees need?
Vermont requires 20 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 Vermont LCSW licensees?
Of the total, 1.5 hours must be in ethics.
How often do Vermont LCSW licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: tied to your license's renewal (expiration) date.
Can Vermont LCSW licensees complete CE online or by home study?
Up to 5 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. At least 15 hours must be earned live.
Sources & verification
- State source
- Vermont board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- May 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the Vermont 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 →
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