If you hold a Colorado LCSW license, the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (within DORA) requires 40 Professional Development Hours every two-year renewal cycle under its Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) program. The program also requires a self-assessment and a professional development plan. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
40 hours / 2 years
Forty professional development hours each biennial cycle.
Self-assessment + plan
Complete a competency self-assessment and professional development plan.
Category cap
No more than 20 PDH may come from a single activity category.
No fixed topic hours
Colorado does not mandate specific subject-area hours by statute.
How many CE hours Colorado clinical social workers need
Colorado requires 40 Professional Development Hours every two years under its CPC program, completed through approved activities such as coursework, supervision, presenting, and publication.
Mandated subject requirements
Colorado does not mandate fixed subject-area hours through its CPC program. Instead, licensees identify their own development needs through a self-assessment and plan. Coursework from accredited institutions can satisfy the full 40 hours.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Colorado social work licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years. Complete and document your 40 hours before that date.
Know exactly what CME you need.
Tell us your license type, state, and renewal date. We map your required hours, the state-mandated topics, and your deadline — a clear, personalized plan for a flat $99.
View pricingColorado Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
Always confirm with your licensing board
Colorado uses a Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) program administered by DORA. LCSWs complete a self-assessment, a professional development plan, and 40 Professional Development Hours each two-year cycle. No more than 20 PDH may come from a single activity category. Licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years.
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners before relying on these figures.
Source: Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners (DORA / DPO). Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Social Work Licensure Compact: enacted but not yet active. Enacted by states and a commission is forming, but NOT yet issuing privileges — LCSWs license state-by-state today.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Colorado LCSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Colorado clinical social workers need?
+
40 Professional Development Hours every two years.
Does Colorado require ethics CE for LCSWs?
+
Colorado does not mandate specific subject-area hours; licensees set their own goals through the CPC self-assessment and plan.
When do Colorado social work licenses renew?
+
Licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years.
Related
Need help meeting your Colorado CE before renewal?
Tell us your license type and renewal month and we'll map the fastest compliant path — required hours, mandated topics, and your deadline — for a flat $99.
- Flat $99 per plan
- Every license type
- All 50 states
Get my CME plan
Tell us your license type, state, and renewal — we'll map exactly what you need.