If you hold a New York LCSW license, the NYS Education Department's Office of the Professions requires 36 hours of approved continuing education for each triennial registration period, including 3 hours on maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. No more than 12 hours may be self-study, and all courses must be NYSED-approved. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
36 hours / 3 years
Thirty-six CE hours each triennial registration period.
Boundaries (3 hours)
Three hours on maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
12 self-study max
No more than 12 hours may be self-study.
NYSED-approved
All courses must be approved by the NYS Education Department.
How many CE hours New York clinical social workers need
New York requires 36 continuing education hours every three years, with no more than 12 self-study, all NYSED-approved.
Mandated subject requirements
- Professional boundaries: 3 hours within the 36.
- Child abuse identification & reporting: one-time mandated training (separate from CE credit).
Renewal cycle and deadlines
New York LCSW registrations renew every three years. Complete and document your 36 hours before your registration date.
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View pricingNew York Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Appropriate Professional Boundaries3 hrs
Licensees must include 3 hours on maintaining appropriate professional boundaries within the 36 hours (for registration periods on/after April 1, 2023).
- Child Abuse Identification & ReportingRequired · one time
A one-time mandated child abuse identification and reporting training (with updated curriculum requirements). This training is required separately and may not be counted toward CE credit.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, requires 36 hours of approved continuing education for each triennial registration period for LCSWs. No more than 12 hours may be self-study. All courses must be NYSED-approved.
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the New York State Education Department before relying on these figures.
Source: New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions, State Board for 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.
New York LCSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do New York clinical social workers need?
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36 continuing education hours every three years.
Does New York require a professional boundaries course?
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Yes — 3 hours on maintaining appropriate professional boundaries within the 36-hour total.
Can self-study count in New York?
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Yes, but no more than 12 of the 36 hours may be self-study.
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