If you hold a Texas LCSW license, the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners (under BHEC) requires 30 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including 6 ethics hours and 3 hours focused on serving a distinct population. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
30 hours / 2 years
Thirty CE hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Ethics (6 hours)
At least six hours must be in ethics.
Distinct population (3)
Three hours focused on serving a distinct population/diversity.
Birth-month renewal
Licenses renew by the last day of the licensee's birth month.
How many CE hours Texas clinical social workers need
Texas requires 30 continuing education hours every two years.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: at least 6 hours.
- Serving a distinct population / cultural diversity: 3 hours (under board review as of early 2025).
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Texas social work licenses renew every two years by the last day of the licensee's birth month. Complete and document your 30 hours before that date.
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View pricingTexas Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Professional Ethics6 hrs
At least 6 of the 30 hours must be in ethics each cycle.
- Serving a Distinct Population / Cultural Diversity3 hrs
3 hours focused on serving a distinct population, which may relate to cultural competency, diversity, or another defined client group. This requirement was under BHEC review as of early 2025.
Double-check this one — our sources varied
Sources disagreed on some figures for this state, so treat the numbers above as a researched starting point and verify the specifics with the board before you rely on them.
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) and Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners require 30 hours of continuing education each two-year cycle for LCSWs, including ethics and a distinct-population/cultural diversity component. Licenses renew every two years by the last day of the licensee's birth month. The cultural competency requirement was under board review as of early 2025; confirm current rules.
Continuing education rules change. The Texas cultural diversity/distinct-population requirement was under board review as of early 2025; confirm current requirements with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council before relying on these figures.
Source: Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council). 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.
Texas LCSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Texas clinical social workers need?
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30 continuing education hours every two years.
Is ethics CE required in Texas?
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Yes — at least 6 of the 30 hours must be in ethics.
Does Texas require cultural diversity CE?
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Currently 3 hours focused on serving a distinct population; this requirement was under board review as of early 2025.
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