If you hold a Michigan clinical social work license (LMSW), the Michigan Board of Social Work requires 45 hours of continuing education every three-year renewal cycle, including ethics, pain management, human trafficking, and implicit bias. At least half must be live/synchronous. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
45 hours / 3 years
Forty-five CE hours each triennial renewal cycle.
Ethics (5 hours)
At least five hours must be in ethics.
Pain + trafficking
Two hours each of pain management and human trafficking.
Implicit bias (3)
One hour per license year (3 over a 3-year cycle).
How many CE hours Michigan clinical social workers need
Michigan requires 45 continuing education hours every three years; up to 22.5 may be home study, and at least half must be live/synchronous.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: at least 5 hours.
- Pain management: 2 hours.
- Human trafficking: 2 hours.
- Implicit bias: 1 hour per license year (3 over a 3-year cycle).
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Michigan social work licenses renew every three years. Complete and document your 45 hours before your renewal deadline.
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View pricingMichigan Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Professional Ethics5 hrs
At least 5 of the 45 hours must be in ethics each cycle.
- Pain Management2 hrs
At least 2 hours in pain management each cycle.
- Human Trafficking2 hrs
At least 2 hours in human trafficking each cycle.
- Implicit Bias Training3 hrs
1 hour of implicit bias training per year of the license cycle (3 hours over a 3-year cycle).
Always confirm with your licensing board
The Michigan Board of Social Work requires 45 hours of continuing education each three-year cycle for LMSW licensees; up to 22.5 hours may be home study, and at least half must be live/synchronous. Michigan's clinical-level credential is the LMSW (clinical). Courses from ASWB-approved providers are accepted.
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Michigan Board of Social Work before relying on these figures.
Source: Michigan Board of Social Work (LARA). 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.
Michigan LMSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Michigan clinical social workers need?
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45 continuing education hours every three years.
Is ethics CE required in Michigan?
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Yes — at least 5 of the 45 hours must be in ethics.
Does Michigan require implicit bias training?
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Yes — 1 hour per year of the license cycle (3 hours over a 3-year cycle).
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