West Virginia LCSW, LICSW, LGSW & LSW Continuing Education Requirements
West Virginia clinical social workers must complete 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW license, including 1 hour of ethics and 2 hours of veterans' mental health.
30
total hours / 2 years
1
ethics hours
2
veterans' mental health hours
10
live hours minimum
10
home study / self-study hours cap
Biennial · renewal date depends on the licensee's issue date.
West Virginia LCSW, LICSW, LGSW & LSW requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 30 hours every 2 years. |
| Renewal | Biennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary. |
| Ethics | 1 hour required each cycle. |
| Veterans' Mental Health | 2 hours required each cycle. |
| Format limits | Up to 10 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. |
| Format limits | At least 10 hours must be earned live. |
| Provisional renewal | The board allows a provisional/conditional renewal for up to 36 months before full compliance is required. WV does not offer a conditional renewal to finish CE after expiration. A license that fails CE on the renewal date becomes delinquent the next day (25 CSR 25-5-3). A delinquent license may be reinstated within 36 months of expiration by completing all required CE and paying late fees; the licensee may not practice during the delinquent period. |
Full board policy details
- Of the 30 required hours, at least 20 must come from Category I (Board-approved or otherwise authorized) providers, including programs endorsed by ASWB, NASW, another state social work board, or a CSWE-accredited school. Up to 10 hours may be earned from Category II independent study activities.
- Of the 20 approved-provider hours, at least 10 must be synchronous (live in-person or live interactive online). No more than 10 of the approved-provider hours may be asynchronous online. Live webinars count toward the synchronous minimum, not the asynchronous cap.
- Self-study / Category II activities (independent reading, research, writing, preparing presentations) are capped at 10 of the 30 hours. On-the-job training does not count toward the CE requirement.
- Course repeat restrictions: The WV rule (25 CSR 25-5-3) is silent on repeating courses within a cycle. Credit is only granted for activities that meet Board specifications, and credit is intended to reflect new learning, so licensees should not submit duplicate course content within the same renewal period. Instructors may receive Category II credit for preparing a presentation, but the rule does not provide for repeated credit for teaching the same content multiple times.
- License status — inactive / emeritus: Licensees on inactive or emeritus (retired) status are exempt from CE while in that status (25 CSR 25-5-3). A licensee changing to inactive or emeritus status must submit all accrued CE at the time of the status change. Temporary permit holders do not renew and have no CE requirement.
- Reactivation from inactive/emeritus: The regulations do not specify a separate make-up CE quantity for returning to active status beyond satisfying the standard 30-hour renewal-cycle requirement. Licensees reactivating should confirm current expectations with the Board.
- First renewal: WV does not provide a prorated or reduced CE requirement for the first renewal. The full 30 hours apply to every two-year cycle, including the initial license term (WV Code §30-30-19(a)).
- Delinquency: A license that is not renewed with CE complete by the expiration date becomes delinquent the following day. The Board does not offer a conditional permit to complete CE post-expiration; the licensee must stop practicing and may reinstate within 36 months by completing all required CE and paying late fees.
We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your West Virginia LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.
Track West Virginia LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW CE free →West Virginia LCSW, LICSW, LGSW & LSW CE: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do West Virginia LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW licensees need?
West Virginia requires 30 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW license. Biennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary.
How many ethics hours are required for West Virginia LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW licensees?
Of the total, 1 hour must be in ethics.
How often do West Virginia LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW licensees renew?
Biennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary.
Are there subject-specific CE requirements for West Virginia LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW licensees?
Yes. In addition to ethics, West Virginia requires 2 hours of veterans' mental health.
Can West Virginia LCSW / LICSW / LGSW / LSW licensees complete CE online or by home study?
Up to 10 hours may be completed through home study / self-study. At least 10 hours must be earned live.
Sources & verification
- State source
- West Virginia board rule
- Profession source
- ASWB ACE continuing education guidance
- Last verified
- May 2026
- Ruleset version
- 2026.1
Reviewed against the West Virginia 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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