If you hold a District of Columbia Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license, the DC Board of Professional Counseling requires 40 continuing education hours every two-year renewal cycle. DC has several mandated topics: 6 hours of ethics, 4 hours of trauma counseling, 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competence, and 4 hours in DC Health public health priorities. Below is the full breakdown of what you need and when it is due.
40 hours / 2 years
Forty CE hours each biennial renewal cycle.
6 ethics
At least 6 hours of ethics.
4 trauma + 2 LGBTQ
Four hours of trauma counseling and 2 of LGBTQ competence.
4 public health
At least 4 hours in DC public health priorities.
How many CE hours DC LPCs need
The District requires 40 CE hours every two years for LPC renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: 6 hours.
- Trauma counseling: 4 hours.
- LGBTQ cultural competence: 2 hours.
- Public health priorities: 4 hours identified by DC Health.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
DC LPC licenses renew every two years. First-time renewals are exempt from CE.
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View pricingDistrict of Columbia Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) CME at a glance
- Ethics6 hrs
At least 6 of the 40 hours must be in ethics each biennial cycle.
- Trauma Counseling4 hrs
At least 4 hours in trauma counseling each biennial cycle.
- LGBTQ Cultural Competence2 hrs
At least 2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competence and appropriate clinical treatment each biennial cycle.
- DC Public Health Priorities4 hrs
At least 4 hours (10% of the total) in public health priorities identified by DC Health.
Always confirm with your licensing board
DC LPC licenses renew biennially through the Board of Professional Counseling (DC Health). Online and home-study formats are accepted under District rules.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the District of Columbia Board of Professional Counseling before relying on these figures.
Source: District of Columbia Board of Professional Counseling. 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?
Counseling Compact: active. Operational; participating states issue the counseling privilege to practice across member states.
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 LPC CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do DC LPCs need?
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40 CE hours every two years.
What topics are mandated for DC LPCs?
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6 hours ethics, 4 trauma, 2 LGBTQ competence, and 4 public health priorities.
Is the first renewal exempt in DC?
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Yes — LPCs are not required to complete CE for their first renewal.
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