District of Columbia Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Navigating Social Work licensure in the District of Columbia requires a thorough understanding of the renewal process, continuing education requirements, and the various credentials available to practitioners.

As a profession deeply committed to community well-being, Social Work in the District of Columbia is governed by specific standards and regulations to ensure that practitioners are well-prepared, both in terms of knowledge and ethical practice.

This blog post details the licensure renewal process, essential dates and fees, and explores the various types of credentials that mental health practitioners can pursue in the District. Whether you are a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) gaining experience, or a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) maintaining your status, this guide serves as a comprehensive resource.

Did you know? Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ CE courses for one low annual fee to meet your state’s requirements for Continuing Education credits.

We’ve helped thousands of Social Workers with Continuing Education, learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 5 FREE CEUs!

1) Key District of Columbia Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates

To become a licensed Social Worker in the District of Columbia, you must meet specific educational and experiential requirements, pass the necessary exams, and fulfill continuing education obligations.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the credentialing and licensure requirements for social workers in DC:

Credentials and Licensing Levels

Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
- Exam: Pass the ASWB Bachelor’s exam.
- Application Fee: $50
- Renewal: Every two years.
- Continuing Education: 40 hours every two years, including 6 hours in ethics and 3 hours in HIV/AIDS training.
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
- Education: Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program or a doctoral degree in Social Work.
- Exam: Pass the ASWB Master’s exam.
- Application Fee: $230
- Renewal: Every two years.
- Continuing Education: 40 hours every two years, including 6 hours in ethics and 3 hours in HIV/AIDS training.
Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
- Education: Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program or a doctoral degree in Social Work.
- Experience: 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised Social Work experience over 2 to 4 years.
- Exam: Pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam.
- Application Fee: $230
- Renewal: Every two years.
- Continuing Education: 40 hours every two years, including 6 hours in ethics and 3 hours in HIV/AIDS training.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
- Education: Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program or a doctoral degree in Social Work.
- Experience: 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical Social Work experience over 2 to 4 years.
- Exam: Pass the ASWB Clinical exam.
- Application Fee: $230
- Renewal: Every two years.
- Continuing Education: 40 hours every two years, including 6 hours in ethics and 3 hours in HIV/AIDS training.

Licensure Renewal and Fees

Renewal Period: Licenses must be renewed every two years, expiring on July 31 of odd years.
Continuing Education Requirements:
- 40 hours of approved continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.
- Minimum of 6 hours must be in ethics (must be face-to-face).
- Minimum of 2 hours must be in cultural competency focusing on LGBTQ patients.
- 4 hours on topics designated by the Director of the Department of Health (e.g., opioid prescribing, nutrition, human trafficking).
- Only 12 hours can be completed via independent home study.
Renewal Fees: $85

For more detailed information, including forms and specific application processes, you can refer to the DC Department of Health Board of Social Work’s official resources: DC Health Board of Social Work.

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ CE courses for one low annual fee to meet Washington, D.C.’s requirements for Continuing Education credits.

2) District of Columbia Social Work Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education (CE) is a crucial requirement for Social Workers in the District of Columbia to maintain their licensure. Here is a detailed overview of the CE requirements:

General Requirements

Total Hours: Social Workers in DC must complete 40 hours of approved continuing education every two years.
Ethics Training: At least 6 of these hours must be dedicated to ethics training. These hours must be completed face-to-face and cannot be done online.
Cultural Competency: At least 2 hours must focus on cultural competency, specifically addressing LGBTQ issues. These can be completed online.
Public Health Priorities: 4 hours must cover topics designated by the Director of the Department of Health as public health priorities. Current topics include:
- Opioid prescribing and effective pain management
- Nutrition and obesity prevention
- Identifying and reporting abuse, neglect, human trafficking, and domestic violence
- Sexual health and HIV/AIDS
- Ethics and patient interactions
- Emergency preparedness
- Identifying impairment in patients and providers
- Vaccinations and related legal requirements
- Implicit bias and cultural competence in healthcare

Approved Providers

ASWB Approved: Courses must be provided by organizations approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) like Agents of Change Continuing Education or equivalent bodies recognized by the DC Department of Health.
Face-to-Face Requirements: Only 12 of the 40 required hours can be completed through online independent home study. The remaining hours must be completed through in-person training.

Renewal Deadlines

Biennial Renewal: Licenses must be renewed every two years, with the renewal period ending on July 31 of odd-numbered years.

Costs

Renewal Fee: The fee for renewing a Social Work license in DC is $85.

Additional Requirements

COVID-19: Effective August 11, 2021, all licensees were required to complete 2 contact hours on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness by September 30, 2021. This requirement may be subject to updates, so checking current requirements is recommended.

For more details on the specific requirements and approved courses, you can refer to the official DC Department of Health website: DC Health Board of Social Work Continuing Education Requirements.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet the District of Columbia’s CE requirements and track your completed CEUs, with over 150 courses that meet these requirements!

Agents of Change, #1919, is approved as an ACE provider to offer Social Work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit.

3) FAQs – District of Columbia Social Work Licensure Renewal and CEUs

Q: What are the continuing education requirements for Social Workers in the District of Columbia?

A: Social Workers in the District of Columbia are required to complete 40 hours of approved continuing education every two years to maintain their licensure. Specific requirements include:

Ethics Training: At least 6 hours of face-to-face ethics training.
Cultural Competency: At least 2 hours focusing on LGBTQ issues, which can be completed online.
Public Health Priorities: 4 hours on topics designated by the Director of the Department of Health, such as opioid prescribing, nutrition, abuse reporting, and sexual health.
Only 12 of the total 40 hours can be completed via online independent home study.

Q: How do I renew my Social Work license in the District of Columbia?

A: To renew your Social Work license in the District of Columbia, you must:

Complete 40 hours of continuing education within the two-year renewal period.
Submit your renewal application through the DC Health online licensing system.
Pay the renewal fee of $85. Licenses must be renewed every two years, expiring on July 31 of odd-numbered years.
Ensure that all continuing education requirements, including specific hours in ethics and public health priorities, are met before submitting your renewal application.

Q: What types of Social Work licenses are available in the District of Columbia, and what are the requirements for each?

A: The District of Columbia offers four main types of Social Work licenses:

Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA): Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and passing the ASWB Bachelor’s exam. The application fee is $50.
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW): Requires a Master’s degree in Social Work or a doctoral degree in Social Work, passing the ASWB Master’s exam, and a $230 application fee.
Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW): Requires a Master’s degree in Social Work, 3,000 hours of supervised experience over 2-4 years, passing the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam, and a $230 application fee.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW): Requires a Master’s degree in Social Work, 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over 2-4 years, passing the ASWB Clinical exam, and a $230 application fee.

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 courses that meet Washington D.C.’s CE requirements. Regulatory boards have the final say on courses accepted for continuing education credit.

4) Conclusion

Obtaining and maintaining a Social Work license in the District of Columbia involves a structured process that ensures practitioners are well-qualified and continuously educated. From meeting initial educational and supervised experience requirements to passing the necessary exams, the licensure journey is designed to uphold high professional standards.

The various levels of licensure, including LSWA, LGSW, LISW, and LICSW, cater to different stages of a Social Worker’s career, allowing for progressive advancement in the field.

The continuing education requirements in DC play a critical role in ensuring that Social Workers remain current with best practices and emerging issues in the field. With specific mandates for ethics, cultural competency, and public health priorities, these requirements help practitioners stay equipped to address diverse client needs effectively.

The biennial renewal process, which includes submitting proof of CE completion and paying the renewal fee, is a straightforward yet essential aspect of maintaining licensure.

Resources like Agents of Change Continuing Education provide accessible and varied learning opportunities for Social Workers to meet Continuing Education requirements. Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education.

We’ve helped thousands of Social Workers with their Continuing Education and want you to be next!

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► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: https://agentsofchangetraining.com

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Social Workers for more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment