District of Columbia Social Workers CE Requirements, Accreditations & Approvals

Dist. Columbia 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 District of Columbia Department of Health Board of Social Work accepts courses from any provider who is ASWB approved.

Continuing Education Requirement

Attention Dist. Columbia Social Workers: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board voted to extend the suspension of live, in-person, face-to-face requirements of subsections (a) and (c) of 17 DCMR 7008.4 through the current licensure term from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2023. Accordingly, District social workers may fulfill their CE requirement with CE programs or activities obtained via remote methods, distance learning, or home studies. For more information, please visit https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/Policy%20Statement%20-%20BoSW%20Guidance%20on%20Suspension%20of%20Face-to-Face%20Continuing%20Education%20.pdf.

The District of Columbia Department of Health Board of Social Work accepts NetCE courses.

LICSWs, LISWs, LGSWs, and LSWAs are required 40 hours every two years, 12 of which may completed by independent home study.*

A minimum of 2 hours must be in cultural competency focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ and 6 of the 40 hours must be in ethics.

Licensees must complete 4 of the 40 required hours for renewal on topics designated by the Director of the DOH as a public health priority.
Current topics include:

NEW Effective August 11, 2021, the DC Department of Health now requires all licensees to complete 2 contact hours of continuing education on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness on or before September 30, 2021.

*NetCE courses are considered independent home study.

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For More Information

Please contact the District of Columbia Department of Health Board of Social Work at (877) 672-2174, or refer to https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/publication/attachments/Chapter%2070%20Social%20Work%207-5-2019.pdf for additional information regarding your continuing education.