If you hold a District of Columbia LICSW license, the DC Health Board of Social Work requires 40 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including 6 ethics hours, LGBTQ-focused cultural competency, and a DOH public health priority topic. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
40 hours / 2 years
Forty CE hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Ethics (6 hours)
Six ethics hours, completed face-to-face or live-interactive.
LGBTQ competency (2 hours)
At least two hours of LGBTQ-focused cultural competency.
Public health priority (4 hours)
Four hours on a DOH-designated public health priority topic.
How many CE hours DC clinical social workers need
The District requires 40 continuing education hours every two years; up to 12 may be independent home study.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: 6 hours, face-to-face or live-interactive.
- LGBTQ cultural competency: at least 2 hours.
- Public health priority: 4 hours on a DOH-designated topic.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
DC social work licenses renew on a two-year cycle. Complete and document your 40 hours before your renewal deadline.
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View pricingDistrict of Columbia Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Professional Ethics6 hrs
6 of the 40 hours must be in ethics, completed face-to-face or via live-interactive format.
- LGBTQ Cultural Competency2 hrs
A minimum of 2 hours in cultural competency focusing on patients who identify as LGBTQ.
- DOH Public Health Priority4 hrs
4 of the 40 hours must be on topics designated by the DOH Director as a public health priority.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The DC Health Board of Social Work requires 40 hours of continuing education each two-year cycle for LICSWs; up to 12 hours may be independent home study. Courses from ASWB-approved providers are accepted. The 6 ethics hours must be completed face-to-face (or live-interactive as the Board allows).
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the DC Health Board of Social Work before relying on these figures.
Source: DC Health — Board of Social Work. 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.
District of Columbia LICSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do DC clinical social workers need?
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40 continuing education hours every two years.
Is ethics CE required in DC?
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Yes — 6 of the 40 hours must be in ethics, completed face-to-face or live-interactive.
What other topics are required in DC?
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At least 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency and 4 hours on a DOH-designated public health priority.
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