If you hold a Minnesota LICSW license, the Board of Social Work requires 40 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including 2 ethics hours, 4 cultural responsiveness hours, and 12 clinical content hours. Up to 20 hours may be independent study. 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 (2 hours)
At least two hours must be in ethics.
Cultural responsiveness (4)
Four hours in cultural responsiveness each cycle.
Clinical content (12)
LICSWs need 12 hours of clinical content each cycle.
How many CE hours Minnesota clinical social workers need
Minnesota requires 40 continuing education hours every two years; up to 20 may be independent study.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: at least 2 hours.
- Cultural responsiveness: 4 hours.
- Clinical content: 12 hours for LICSWs.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Minnesota social work licenses renew every two years by the last day of the licensee's birth month. Complete and document your 40 hours before that date.
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View pricingMinnesota Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Professional Ethics2 hrs
A minimum of 2 of the 40 hours must be in ethics each cycle.
- Cultural Responsiveness4 hrs
4 hours in cultural responsiveness each cycle.
- Clinical Content (LICSW)12 hrs
LICSWs must complete 12 hours of clinical content each cycle.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The Minnesota Board of Social Work requires 40 hours of continuing education each two-year cycle for LICSWs, including ethics, cultural responsiveness, and clinical content. Up to 20 hours may be independent study. Licenses renew every two years by the last day of the licensee's birth month.
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Minnesota Board of Social Work before relying on these figures.
Source: Minnesota 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.
Minnesota LICSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Minnesota clinical social workers need?
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40 continuing education hours every two years.
Is ethics CE required in Minnesota?
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Yes — a minimum of 2 of the 40 hours must be in ethics.
How much clinical content does Minnesota require?
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LICSWs must complete 12 hours of clinical content each cycle.
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