If you hold a Virginia LCSW license, the Board of Social Work requires a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including 6 hours pertaining to ethics, standards of practice, or Virginia social work law. Up to 10 hours may be Category II. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
30 hours / 2 years
Thirty CE contact hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Ethics (6 hours)
Six hours of ethics, standards, or Virginia law.
10 Category II max
Up to ten of the thirty hours may be Category II activities.
June renewal
Licenses renew by June 30 of even-numbered years.
How many CE hours Virginia clinical social workers need
Virginia requires a minimum of 30 continuing education contact hours every two years, with up to 10 from Category II activities.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics / standards / Virginia law: at least 6 hours each cycle.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Virginia social work licenses renew by June 30 of even-numbered years. Complete and document your 30 hours before that date.
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View pricingVirginia Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Ethics / Standards of Practice / Virginia Law6 hrs
A minimum of 6 hours must pertain to ethics, the standards of practice for behavioral health professions, or laws governing the practice of social work in Virginia.
Always confirm with your licensing board
The Virginia Board of Social Work requires a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education each two-year cycle for LCSWs, including 6 hours of ethics/standards/laws. Up to 10 hours may be Category II activities. Licenses renew by June 30 of even-numbered years.
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Virginia Board of Social Work before relying on these figures.
Source: Virginia Board of Social Work (DHP). 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.
Virginia LCSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Virginia clinical social workers need?
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A minimum of 30 contact hours every two years.
Is ethics CE required in Virginia?
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Yes — a minimum of 6 hours in ethics, standards of practice, or Virginia social work law.
How much Virginia CE can be Category II?
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Up to 10 of the 30 hours may be Category II activities.
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