If you hold a New Jersey LCSW license, the State Board of Social Work Examiners requires 40 contact hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including at least 20 in clinical practice plus ethics, cultural competence, and opioid addiction content. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
40 hours / 2 years
Forty CE contact hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Clinical practice (20)
At least 20 hours directly related to clinical practice.
Ethics (5)
Five credits related to ethics each cycle.
Culture + opioids
Three cultural competence credits and one opioid addiction credit.
How many CE hours New Jersey clinical social workers need
New Jersey requires 40 continuing education contact hours every two years, with at least 20 in clinical practice.
Mandated subject requirements
- Clinical practice: at least 20 hours.
- Ethics: 5 credits.
- Social & cultural competence: 3 credits.
- Prescription opioid addiction: 1 credit.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
New Jersey social work licenses renew every two years by August 31 of even-numbered years. Complete and document your 40 hours before that date.
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View pricingNew Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Clinical Practice20 hrs
At least 20 of the 40 hours must be directly related to clinical practice.
- Professional Ethics5 hrs
5 credits must be related to ethics each cycle.
- Social & Cultural Competence3 hrs
3 credits in the subject area of social and cultural competence each cycle.
- Prescription Opioid Addiction1 hr
1 credit in the subject of prescription opioid addiction each cycle.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners requires 40 contact hours of continuing education each two-year cycle for LCSWs, including at least 20 in clinical practice. Courses from ASWB-approved providers are accepted. Licenses renew by August 31 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners before relying on these figures.
Source: New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners. 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.
New Jersey LCSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do New Jersey clinical social workers need?
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40 continuing education contact hours every two years.
Is ethics CE required in New Jersey?
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Yes — 5 credits related to ethics, plus 3 credits in social and cultural competence each cycle.
Does New Jersey require opioid CE?
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Yes — 1 credit in prescription opioid addiction each cycle.
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