Updated for 2026

California LPCC Continuing Education Requirements

California counselors must complete 36 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew their LPCC license, including 6 hours of law & ethics.

total hours / 2 years

law & ethics hours

Biennial · renewal date depends on the licensee's issue date.

California LPCC requirements

Requirement	Notes
Total continuing education	36 hours every 2 years.
Renewal	Biennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary.
Law & Ethics	6 hours required each cycle.
Approved providers	CE must be earned from a board-approved provider.
Recordkeeping	Keep CE documentation for 2 years after each renewal.
Board audit	The board may audit licensees to verify CE compliance.
One-time requirements	One-time training of at least 6 hours in suicide risk assessment and intervention, required by first renewal on or after January 1, 2021 (B&P §§ 4980.396, 4999.66). (6 hours, one time).
One-time requirements	One-time training of at least 3 hours in providing mental health services via telehealth, required by first renewal after July 1, 2023 (B&P § 4980.395). (3 hours, one time).
One-time requirements	One-time 7-hour CE course in assessment and treatment of HIV/AIDS (16 CCR § 1887.3(b)). Satisfied in one of two mutually exclusive ways: (a) equivalent prior training submitted with the licensure application — the requirement is then satisfied with ZERO CE hours credited toward the 36-hour total; or (b) a 7-hour CE course completed post-licensure — those 7 hours count toward the 36-hour total. The counts_toward link below applies ONLY to path (b). (7 hours, one time).
Other mandates	One-time 7-hour training in child abuse assessment and reporting required as a condition of licensure (B&P § 28; 16 CCR § 1807.2). Typically completed during graduate program or within 5 years prior to licensure application.

Full board policy details

No live/in-person minimum. 100% of the 36 hours may be completed via approved self-study, online, or recorded courses. Live interactive webinars are treated equivalently to in-person courses.
No per-day hour cap. Licensees may complete multiple CE hours in a single day or from one multi-day course.
Course repeat restriction: A licensee may not claim the same course more than once per license type during a single renewal period (16 CCR § 1887.3), whether as an attendee or instructor. Different cycles may repeat the same course.
Teaching credit: An instructor may claim CE credit for teaching a board-approved course only once per renewal period, capped at 18 hours total from teaching per cycle (16 CCR § 1887.3).
Board exam development panel service: Licensees who serve on a BBS examination development panel earn up to 6 hours of CE credit per renewal cycle. These hours may ONLY be applied to the 6-hour law & ethics requirement; they do not count toward the remaining 30 non-ethics hours of the 36-hour total.
Inactive license status: No CE is required while on inactive status. The license must still be renewed every 2 years (fee only) and there is no time limit on remaining inactive. To reactivate, the licensee must complete 36 hours of CE within the 24 months preceding reactivation.
Retired license status: No CE is required to maintain a retired license. A retired licensee may apply to restore the license to active status within 3 years of retirement by completing 36 hours of CE within the 24 months preceding reactivation. After 3 years retired, the license cannot be restored and the individual must reapply for licensure.
Expired license: Up to 3 years after expiration, a licensee may renew late by completing the full 36-hour CE requirement within the 2 years prior to the late renewal and paying late fees. After 3 years expired, the license cannot be renewed.
Hardship CE waiver: The Board may grant a one-cycle CE waiver for severe disability or primary-caregiver hardship lasting at least one year of the cycle (16 CCR § 1887.2). Must be requested at least 60 days before expiration.
Dual licensees (e.g. LMFT + LPCC): One set of 36 hours may cover both licenses if the courses are relevant to each scope of practice (16 CCR § 1887.1). No double hours required.
Supervisor law-and-ethics carve-out: If a licensee takes a law & ethics course to satisfy a supervisor-training mandate, that course counts toward the 36-hour total but does NOT count toward the 6-hour law & ethics renewal minimum (16 CCR § 1887.3).

We turn all of this (every category, format limit, and one-time rule) into a live checklist on your California LPCC record, and reapply board changes automatically as they happen.

Track California LPCC CE free →

California LPCC CE: frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do California LPCC licensees need?

California requires 36 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a LPCC license. Biennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary.

How many ethics hours are required for California LPCC licensees?

Of the total, 6 hours must be in law & ethics.

How often do California LPCC licensees renew?

Biennial cycle: counted from your license anniversary.

Sources & verification

State source: California board rule
Profession source: NBCC continuing education guidance
Last verified: May 2026
Ruleset version: 2026.1

Reviewed against the California 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 →

Track your California LPCC CE the easy way.

Log hours, watch every category pace toward biennial renewal, and keep your certificates in one record. Free to start, no card required.

Create your free record

Other California CE requirement pages

California LCSW