DC (District of Columbia) Social Work CE Requirements

In DC, all social work licenses require 40 hours of approved continuing education every two years. Licenses expire on July 31 of odd-numbered years (for now). However, beginning June 16, 2024, license expiration shifted: new licenses or renewals now expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month.

DC’s requirements are fairly specific, covering ethics, LGBTQ content, public health priorities, and format rules. Let’s break them down.

Required Topic Areas & Mandates

To fulfill the 40-hour DC CE mandate, you must satisfy the following:

So in total you still complete 40 hours, but 6 + 2 + 4 = 12 are earmarked.

Format / Delivery Rules

DC imposes format constraints on how many hours can come from non-live courses:

• Maximum of 12 hours of the 40 can be from prerecorded, asynchronous, or non-interactive formats.

• At least 28 hours must be “live, in-person or live-interactive webinar (synchronous).”

• The 6 ethics hours must be in a live format (in person or live webinar).

• Live interactive webinars are now accepted as equivalent to in-person.

Because of these rules, you can’t simply stack all hours using online videos; you need a significant chunk in interactive formats.

Methods of Compliance: Contact, Academic, Presenter

DC’s rules allow flexibility in how you earn those hours:

1. Contact Hour Option
   Complete CE offerings from approved providers; you’ll want certificates showing the course name, CE hours, date, and provider.

2. Academic Option
   Courses in academic settings may be accepted. One academic credit is equivalent to 20 hours of CE in DC’s system.

3. Presenter Option
   If you teach or present an approved course, that may count for CE credit.

When you renew, you’ll upload CE evidence in PDF form, including course titles, provider names, hours, etc.

First-Time Renewal Exemption & Special Notes

• Social workers renewing for the first time are exempt from CE requirements.

• The Board periodically identifies new public health priorities (every 5 years) that become mandatory topics.

• DC Health accepts any course from an ASWB Approved Continuing Education (ACE) provider, though final approval rests with the Board.

Quick DC Checklist

• 40 total hours every 2 years

• 6 ethics (live)

• 2 LGBTQ / cultural competency

• 4 public health priority

• Max 12 hours asynchronous/non-live

• Rest must be live / interactive

• Must retain documentation, upload upon renewal

Maryland Social Work CE Requirements

Maryland’s approach is a bit more lenient in format but still carries topic mandates. Let’s inspect the details.

Total Hours & Renewal Cycle

Most social work license levels in Maryland (especially clinical ones) require 40 hours of CE every two years. Licenses in Maryland are renewed biennially, typically by October 31 of the renewal year.

Category I vs. Category II Activities

Maryland divides acceptable CE into two categories:

• Category I: Structured, formal educational experiences (courses, workshops, seminars, etc.).

• Category II: Less formal or individualized learning; in-house seminars, case conferences, independent study, etc. 

Under Maryland rules:

• At least 30 hours must be Category I (for a 40-hour license).

• Not more than 10 hours may come from Category II. 

• For lower levels, the caps may differ (e.g. LBSW).

Required Topics & Ethics / Anti-oppressive Content

Maryland imposes specific content mandates:

• 3 hours in ethics / professional conduct / boundary issues (Category I or II) 

• 3 hours in anti-oppressive content: cultural humility, social justice, racial equity, implicit bias, or anti-racism (must be Category I) 

• Additional topics like supervision may also require credit under certain licensing classes. 

Note: You cannot use home-study or informal programs for all your hours; only up to the Category II limit.

Format & Provider Rules

• Courses must be offered by board-approved providers (or otherwise approved by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners).

• Distance learning (online) is acceptable within the Category I and II framework. 

• You must maintain documentation (certificates, transcripts, etc.) in case of audit.

Example: Meeting Maryland CE via Agents of Change

Agents of Change Continuing Education, which offers more than 150 ASWB- and NBCC-approved courses, is a solid resource for Maryland social workers.

Their catalog includes courses that align with ethics, anti-oppression, supervision, and clinical topics. Additionally, Agents of Change hosts live continuing education events throughout the year, which can help you conveniently satisfy Category I requirements across multiple areas of practice.

Virginia Social Work CE Requirements

Virginia’s rules are more conservative compared to DC or Maryland, particularly for nonclinical license holders. Let’s see what’s required.

Total Hours & Renewal Cycle

• LBSW and LMSW (nonclinical levels): 15 contact hours every two years.

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): 30 contact hours every two years.

Renewal must happen by June 30 of each even-numbered year.

Topic / Ethics Requirements

Virginia mandates:

• For LBSW / LMSW, at least 3 hours of CE must cover ethics, laws, or standards governing social work.

• For LCSW, at least 6 hours must cover ethics, laws, or standards.

The remaining hours can be in other behavioral health or social work topics, provided they relate to practice.

Category I and II Activities & Volunteer Credit

Virginia distinguishes between two general types of CE activities:

1. Category I (formally organized): Workshops, seminars, academic courses, conferences, etc.

   • For LCSWs, a minimum of 20 hours must come from Category I. 

   • For LBSW / LMSW, a minimum of 10 hours must be Category I. 

2. Category II (individual / professional): Publishing, teaching, supervising students, volunteer services, independent reading, etc.

   • Up to 10 hours for LCSW may come from Category II. 

   • Up to 5 hours for LBSW / LMSW may be in Category II. 

   • Also, volunteer service (unpaid social work in certain settings) may count: 3 hours of volunteer work equals 1 hour CE, up to 2 hours. 

Extensions, Exemptions, Audit

• The Board may grant up to one year extension for legitimate reasons (e.g. disability, military service) if requested prior to renewal. 

• Exemptions for part or all CE may be granted under extraordinary circumstances. 

• Licensees must maintain records of CE activities (certificates, descriptions) for at least two years after the renewal period; audits may occur. 

Examples & Notes

• Suppose you are an LCSW: you’ll need 30 hours total, at least 6 in ethics/laws, at least 20 in Category I, and you could use up to 10 hours from Category II (e.g. publishing, teaching).

• If you deliver social work services (without compensation) to low-income clients via a free clinic, that can satisfy part of your CE requirement (subject to verification). 

• Be sure your courses are approved (or acceptable) under Virginia regulations and that you have proof ready in case of audit.

Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education. We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with their continuing education, and we want you to be next!