If you hold a Pennsylvania Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) license, the State Board requires 30 clock hours of continuing education every biennial renewal. That total must include 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting, and 1 hour of suicide risk training. Up to 20 hours may be home study. 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 hrs)
At least 3 hours of ethics each biennium.
Child abuse (2 hrs)
Child abuse recognition and reporting under Act 31.
Suicide risk (1 hr)
At least 1 hour of suicide risk assessment training.
How many CE hours Pennsylvania LMFTs need
Pennsylvania requires 30 clock hours of continuing education every two years, tied to your biennial renewal. Up to 20 hours may be home study, and excess hours may not be carried over.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: at least 3 hours each biennium.
- Child abuse recognition & reporting: at least 2 hours (Act 31).
- Suicide risk: at least 1 hour.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Pennsylvania LMFT licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 30 hours before your expiration date.
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View pricingPennsylvania Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT) CME at a glance
- Ethics3 hrs · every renewal
At least 3 hours related to ethical issues are required each biennium.
- Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting2 hrs · every renewal
At least 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31) are required each biennium.
- Suicide Risk Assessment1 hr · every renewal
At least 1 hour in the assessment, treatment, and management of suicide risks is required each biennium.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Pennsylvania LMFT licenses renew biennially (the biennium generally runs March 1 of odd-numbered years through February 28). Licensees must complete 30 clock hours each cycle, including at least 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting, and 1 hour of suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management. Up to 20 hours may be home study. Excess hours may not be carried over.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Pennsylvania State Board before relying on these figures.
Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and 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.
Pennsylvania LMFT CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Pennsylvania LMFTs need?
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30 clock hours every two years.
Is child abuse training required for Pennsylvania LMFTs?
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Yes — at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31) each biennium.
How much home study can Pennsylvania LMFTs use?
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Up to 20 of the 30 hours may be earned through home study.
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