Updated for 2026

Rhode Island LMFT Continuing Education Requirements

Rhode Island marriage and family therapists must complete 40 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LMFT license, including 20 hours of category I.

40hours every 2 years
Topic minimums, counted within the 40
20category I

Next deadline: June 1, 2028The renewal cycle is biennial. You file your renewal by June 1 of even years, and the license expires July 1.

What the board saysRhode Island board rule
The application for license renewal shall include satisfactory evidence of completion of forty (40) credits1 of continuing education relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy practice, completed over the two (2) year period preceding re-licensure1. Furthermore, a minimum of twenty (20) of the forty (40) credits2 of continuing education shall be completed within Category 12 of § 11.3.12(C) of this Part. … Category I: Formal continuing education program that may consist of graduate or post-graduate courses, workshops, and/or institutes, including web-based offerings. … Category II: Exceptional contributions to professional development3 that may consist of: a written publication in a peer-reviewed journal, teaching a relevant, semester-long course in an accredited institution, serving as an elected officer on national or international organizations
What it means
  1. 40 hours in the two years before renewal
  2. At least 20 hours in Category I (formal courses and workshops)
  3. No more than 20 hours from Category II contributions
216-RICR-40-05-11.3.12Last verified August 2026Ruleset 2026.3How we verify
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Requirements

Rhode Island LMFT requirements

Total

40 hoursYou need 40 hours every 2 years. The renewal cycle is biennial. You file your renewal by June 1 of even years, and the license expires July 1.

Topic minimums, counted within the 40

The remaining 20 hours are not tied to a topic minimum.
Category I
20
You need 20 hours each cycle.

Limits on how the hours are earned

Category II
max 20 hrs

Cycle and record rules

Renewal
The renewal cycle is biennial. You file your renewal by June 1 of even years, and the license expires July 1.
Approved providers
Qualifying CE may be offered or sponsored by national professional association and state professional association and recognized associations in counseling, mft, social work, psychology, and medicine.
Recordkeeping
Keep CE documentation for 4 years after each course's completion date.
Board audit
The board may audit licensees to verify CE compliance.
Late renewal
A late renewal adds a late fee.

To keep your proof in order, see what to keep for a CE audit, which covers every state’s retention period and what the audit notice asks for.

Your hours

Check where you stand

Enter the hours you have completed this cycle to see what is left before June 1, 2028.

Your result appears here as you enter hours.

Open the full LMFT CE hours calculator

Also hold a Rhode Island LPC or LCSW license? Each board runs its own CE cycle. See the Rhode Island LPC and Rhode Island LCSW requirements.

Full board policy details
  • Renewal cycle is biennial, with all licenses expiring on July 1 of the next even-numbered year following issuance. The 24-month cycle ends on July 1 of even-numbered years.
  • At least 20 of the 40 credits must be Category I (formal continuing education) each renewal cycle. Category I includes graduate courses, workshops, institutes, and web-based offerings from approved sponsors; it is an activity category, not a live-attendance requirement.
  • Up to 20 credits per cycle may be earned in Category 2 (exceptional contributions to professional development): publications and formal lectures earn 10 credits each; national or international leadership/officer roles in professional organizations earn up to 20 credits. These are defined Category 2 credit values, not exemptions from the approved-provider requirement.
  • Approved sponsors include ACA, AMHCA, NBCC, AAMFT, their Rhode Island state affiliates (RIMHCA, RICA, RIAMFT), NASW, APA, AMA, or other nationally-recognized organizations approved by the Board.
  • Course repeat restrictions: The Rhode Island rule does not impose a blanket attendee repeat-course prohibition.
  • First-renewal exemption: the rule exempts practitioners initially licensed by examination after the July 1 renewal date until the next renewal cycle. Licensure basis is not available to the engine, so this narrower condition is not approximated with a universal is first renewal override and requires manual review.
  • License status rules: Licensees on inactive status are not required to renew or complete CE while inactive. To reactivate, the licensee must attest to completion of 40 hours of CE within the two years immediately prior to the reactivation request. A lapsed license requires payment of renewal and late fees plus verification of the required continuing education; lapses of 4+ years are reinstated at the Board's discretion.
  • Hardship extension: The Board may grant an extension of time to complete CE solely at its discretion for hardship or extenuating circumstances. There is no general conditional/provisional renewal for CE deficiency outside of this discretionary process.

Rhode Island LMFT CE: frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do Rhode Island LMFT licensees need?

Rhode Island requires 40 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LMFT license. The renewal cycle is biennial. You file your renewal by June 1 of even years, and the license expires July 1.

How often do Rhode Island LMFT licensees renew?

The renewal cycle is biennial. You file your renewal by June 1 of even years, and the license expires July 1.

Are there subject-specific CE requirements for Rhode Island LMFT licensees?

Yes. Rhode Island requires 20 hours of category I.

Sources and verification

State source
Rhode Island board rule
Last verified
August 2026
Ruleset version
2026.3

We reviewed this page against the Rhode Island board source, and we refresh it 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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Rhode Island guides & data

What to keep for a CE audit →Learn what boards ask for in a CE audit, how long each state says to keep certificates, and what the notice looks like, then use the printable checklist.Rhode Island mental health workforce data →7,061 active providers, or 633.5 per 100,000 residents, ranked 10 of 51. The page includes a county density map and free CSV downloads.

Other Rhode Island CE requirement pages

Rhode Island LPCRhode Island LCSWRhode Island PsychologistRhode Island Addiction CounselorRhode Island PMHNP

LMFT CE requirements in other states