If you hold a Pennsylvania LCSW license, the State Board requires 30 clock hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including 3 ethics hours, 2 child abuse hours, and 1 suicide prevention hour. Up to 20 hours may be online. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
30 hours / 2 years
Thirty clock hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Ethics (3 hours)
At least three hours of ethics-related instruction.
Child abuse (2 hours)
Two hours of child abuse recognition and reporting.
Suicide (1 hour)
At least one hour of suicide prevention/assessment.
How many CE hours Pennsylvania clinical social workers need
Pennsylvania requires 30 clock hours of continuing education every two years; up to 20 may be online.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: at least 3 hours.
- Child abuse recognition & reporting: 2 hours.
- Suicide prevention/assessment: 1 hour.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Pennsylvania social work licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 30 hours before your renewal deadline.
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View pricingPennsylvania Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Professional Ethics3 hrs
At least 3 of the 30 clock hours must be ethics-related instruction.
- Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting2 hrs
At least 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting from a Board-approved provider.
- Suicide Prevention / Assessment1 hr
At least 1 of the 30 clock hours must be suicide prevention/assessment instruction.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors requires 30 clock hours of continuing education each two-year renewal cycle for LCSWs, including ethics, child abuse, and suicide content. Up to 20 hours may be online.
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Pennsylvania State Board before relying on these figures.
Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. 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.
Pennsylvania LCSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Pennsylvania clinical social workers need?
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30 clock hours every two years.
Is ethics CE required in Pennsylvania?
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Yes — at least 3 of the 30 hours must be ethics-related.
Does Pennsylvania require child abuse training?
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Yes — at least 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting from a Board-approved provider.
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