Washington LCSW & LASW Continuing Education Requirements
Washington clinical social workers must complete 32 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW / LASW license, including 6 hours of ethics and law and 2 hours of professional roles and boundaries.
32
total hours / 2 years
6
ethics and law hours
2
professional roles and boundaries hours
Biennial · renewal date depends on the licensee's birth month.
Washington LCSW & LASW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 32 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: renews at the end of your birth month. |
| Ethics and Law | 6 hours required each cycle. |
| Professional Roles and Boundaries | 2 hours required each cycle. |
Full board policy details
- No cap on distance learning. Per WAC 246-809-610(3)(b) and DOH guidance, all 32 hours may be completed via distance learning — synchronous (live interactive online) or asynchronous (self-paced with a comprehension test). There is no minimum live or in-person requirement.
- Synchronous online (live interactive webinars) qualify as distance learning without a comprehension test; asynchronous home-study courses require a test of comprehension upon completion (WAC 246-809-610(3)(b)).
- Provider approval: The Washington Department of Health does not approve CE providers. Acceptable CE must come from an "industry-recognized organization" or accredited institution as described in WAC 246-809-620 (e.g. universities, NASW, ASWB, CSWE-accredited programs, professional associations). The licensee is responsible for ensuring each course meets these criteria.
- Course repeat restrictions: A licensee who presents or teaches a CE topic may only claim credit for that presentation once per reporting period (WAC 246-809-640). The WAC does not explicitly bar an attendee from repeating a course, but duplicate content does not yield additional credit because CE must be relevant and enhance competence (WAC 246-809-610). "Other learning experiences" (publishing, councils, etc.) are capped at 6 hours per reporting period.
- License status — inactive/expired: A license that is not renewed on the practitioner's birthday lapses and the holder may not practice. CE obligations do not accrue while the credential is inactive. To resume practice the licensee must reactivate the credential and meet current CE requirements.
- License status — retired active: Licensed social workers on retired-active status must complete 18 hours of CE every 2 years, of which at least 6 hours must be in professional ethics and law (DOH retired-active guidance; WAC 246-809-730). This rule file models the standard active LCSW/LASW requirement (32 hours); retired-active licensees follow the reduced requirement separately.
- Reactivation: Washington WAC does not specify a distinct CE make-up amount for reactivating an inactive license. In practice, licensees should complete the standard 32-hour requirement (including required topics) for the cycle in which they return to active status.
- Conditional registration: Washington does not provide a conditional or provisional renewal status for licensees who have not completed CE by the renewal deadline. Licensees must complete CE before renewing or the license will expire and require reinstatement.
- First renewal: There is no proration or reduction at first renewal for LCSW/LASW. The full 32-hour requirement (and required topic hours) applies to every two-year reporting period, including the first one, even if the initial license period is shorter than 24 months.
We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your Washington LCSW / LASW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track Washington LCSW / LASW CE free →Washington LCSW & LASW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do Washington LCSW / LASW licensees need?
Washington requires 32 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW / LASW license. Biennial cycle: renews at the end of your birth month.
How many ethics hours are required for Washington LCSW / LASW licensees?
Of the total, 6 hours must be in ethics and law.
How often do Washington LCSW / LASW licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: renews at the end of your birth month.
Are there subject-specific CE requirements for Washington LCSW / LASW licensees?
Yes. In addition to ethics, Washington requires 2 hours of professional roles and boundaries.
Sources & verification
- State source
- Washington board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- May 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the Washington 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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