California Social Workers CE Requirements, Accreditations & Approvals

California Social Workers

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, NetCE is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. NetCE maintains responsibility for this course.

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts courses from any provider who is APA, NBCC and/or ASWB approved.

Continuing Education Requirement

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts NetCE courses.

LCSWs are required 36 hours every two years, all of which may be completed through self-study (print) or online. A minimum of 6 of the 36 hours must be in law and ethics every two years. There is a one-time requirement of 7 hours in HIV/AIDS during the first renewal.

NEW Beginning July 1, 2023, applicants for licensure and licensees must complete a one-time requirement of 3 hours in training or coursework in the provision of mental health services via telehealth, which must include law and ethics related to telehealth.

Licensees who are supervisors are required to complete supervision coursework. Six (6) hours are required for renewal or resumption of supervisory duties after a break of two or more years. Licensees who assume first-time supervisory duties in California are required 15 hours of supervision coursework, which may be completed in one or multiple courses.

Effective January 1, 2021 all applicants and current licensees must complete a one-time requirement of 6 hours in suicide risk assessment and intervention.

*NetCE courses are considered self-study and online.

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For More Information

Please contact the California Board of Behavioral Sciences at (916) 574-7830, or refer to https://bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html for additional information regarding your continuing education.