States and provinces that accept ACE

Approval for the U.S. and Canada

Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces recognize ACE continuing education credits for social workers.

Even when a social work board accepts courses offering ASWB ACE credit, licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their jurisdictions. States and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether any individual course may be accepted for credit.

New York does not accept ASWB ACE provider or course/conference approval.

Social Work CE Requirements by State 2026 | ASWB Continuing Education | PDHhub

2026 State Requirements

Social Work CE Requirements by State

Every state has different rules for social work license renewal. Find your state's continuing education hours, ethics requirements, renewal deadlines, and licensing board — all in one place.

PDHhub gives you unlimited access to ASWB-approved courses to meet any state's requirements under one annual membership.

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States Covered

States Require CE

Avg Hours/Cycle

Ethics Hrs Required (Most States)

Max Hours (Several States)

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Find Your State's Requirements

Click any state to see its full CE requirements, deadlines, ethics mandates, and licensing board. All 50 states require continuing education for licensed social workers.

CE required

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ASWB Approval

ASWB Continuing Education for Social Workers

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) administers the ACE (Approved Continuing Education) program, which is accepted by most state licensing boards across the U.S. and all Canadian provinces. Completing ASWB ACE-approved courses is one of the most reliable ways to ensure your CE credits are accepted at renewal time.

Unlike some professions, all 50 states require continuing education for licensed social workers. CE totals range from 15 hours annually (Connecticut, Tennessee) to 45 hours per renewal cycle (Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Wyoming). Ethics is the single most universally mandated topic — nearly every state requires between 2 and 6 hours of ethics credit per renewal period.

Even when a state accepts ASWB ACE provider approval, individual licensees are responsible for confirming that a specific course meets their jurisdiction's requirements. Your state licensing board has final authority. Note that New York does not accept ASWB ACE provider or course approval and has its own separate approval process.

PDHhub provides access to ASWB ACE-approved CE courses covering ethics, cultural competency, mental health, trauma, supervision, and much more — all available under one unlimited annual membership.

Know Before You Renew

Understanding Social Work CE Requirements

Continuing education requirements for social workers vary significantly from state to state. Hours, renewal cycles, ethics mandates, home study limits, and specialty topic requirements all differ. Understanding your state's specific rules is essential to staying compliant and protecting your license.

PDHhub makes it simple: one membership gives you unlimited access to courses that satisfy CE requirements across all 50 states where licensed social workers must complete continuing education.

Annual vs. Biennial vs. Triennial Renewal

Most states use a two-year renewal cycle, but several differ. Connecticut and Tennessee require CE annually. Hawaii, Kentucky, Michigan, and New York use a three-year cycle. Some states stagger renewal by licensee birth date or date of initial licensure rather than a fixed calendar deadline — always check your personal renewal date.

Ethics Credits — The Universal Mandate

Ethics is the most universally required topic in social work CE. Nearly every state mandates dedicated ethics hours — typically 2 to 6 per renewal period. Some states, like California and New Hampshire, require 6 ethics hours each cycle. Always verify your state's ethics credit requirement and ensure your courses are specifically designated as ethics content.

Home Study & Online CE Limits

Not all CE hours can be completed through self-study or online courses in every state. Georgia allows only 10 hours of distance learning per renewal. Michigan caps online CE at 10 hours per three-year cycle. Vermont limits self-directed activities to 5 hours. Many states have no online restriction. Always confirm your state's home study limits before completing courses.

Specialty Topic Mandates by State

Beyond ethics, many states require CE in specific topics. California mandates HIV/AIDS, spousal/partner abuse, and aging content in the first renewal. Alaska requires cross-cultural education on Alaska Natives. Alabama mandates child abuse and neglect training. Louisiana requires clinical content for LCSWs. Minnesota requires supervision hours for supervisors. Always review your state's full topic requirements.

License Type Differences Within States

Several states have different CE requirements depending on your license level. Massachusetts requires 30 hours for LICSWs but only 10 hours for LSWAs. Oregon sets different totals for LCSWs, LMSWs, and RBSWs. Nevada differentiates between LASW/LSW and LCSW/ISW licensees. Always verify the requirement for your specific credential, not just your state in general.

ASWB ACE vs. State-Specific Approval

While ASWB ACE approval is the most widely accepted credential for CE providers, some states have additional requirements. Oklahoma requires state-level board approval. New York does not accept ASWB ACE at all. Washington State requires NASW approval. California has its own Board of Behavioral Sciences approval. Always confirm which provider approvals your state licensing board accepts.

All States A–Z

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Click any state below to view its complete social work CE requirements, ethics mandates, deadlines, and licensing board details.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ASWB ACE approval and why does it matter?

ASWB ACE (Approved Continuing Education) is a national approval program administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. Courses and providers approved through ASWB ACE are accepted by most state social work licensing boards across the U.S. and all Canadian provinces. Completing CE from ASWB ACE-approved providers is one of the safest ways to ensure your credits will be accepted at renewal. However, even with ASWB ACE approval, you are responsible for confirming that specific courses meet your jurisdiction's requirements — your state board has final authority.

Do I need ethics credits for social work license renewal?

In almost every state, yes. Ethics is the most universally mandated CE topic for social workers. Requirements range from 1–2 hours per year (Idaho, Connecticut) to 6 hours per renewal period (California, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington). Some states require ethics credits through synchronous (live) activities only — Georgia, for example, requires ethics hours to be completed synchronously. Always confirm your state's specific ethics credit requirements, including whether online self-paced courses qualify.

Can I complete all my social work CE hours online?

It depends on your state. Many states allow all CE hours to be completed online or through home study — Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, and Wyoming among them. Others have strict limits: Michigan caps online CE at 10 hours per three-year cycle; Georgia allows only 10 distance learning hours per renewal; Vermont limits self-directed hours to 5. Always check your state's home study rules before completing courses, and ensure the provider is approved for your state.

My license is an LCSW — are my CE requirements different from an LMSW?

In many states, yes. Several states set different CE totals, home study limits, or topic mandates based on license level. Oregon requires 40 hours for LCSWs but only 30 for LMSWs and 20 for RBSWs. Massachusetts requires 30 hours for LICSWs versus 20 for LCSWs and 15 for LSWs. Nevada differentiates between license types too. Always look up the requirement for your specific credential rather than assuming a single state-wide number applies to all social workers.

What happens if I miss my social work CE renewal deadline?

Missing your CE deadline can result in your license lapsing or becoming inactive, which may require reinstatement steps including additional CE hours, reinstatement fees, or board review. A lapsed license means you cannot legally practice social work until it is reinstated. Some states tie renewal dates to personal milestones like your birth month or initial licensure date — easy to forget. PDHhub's unlimited access makes it easy to complete your hours any time before your personal renewal deadline.

How does PDHhub help me meet my state's social work CE requirements?

PDHhub provides unlimited access to continuing education courses under one annual membership at $189.99/year. You can complete as many courses as needed to meet your state's requirements, access certificates immediately after completion, and view your learning history at any time. Whether your state requires 15 hours annually or 45 hours over three years, PDHhub gives you the flexibility to complete them on your own schedule with ASWB ACE-approved content.

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