Marriage & Family Therapists · Pennsylvania · Continuing education
Pennsylvania MFT CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- LMFT30 clock hours every 2 years, including 2 h child abuse recognition & reporting, 3 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 1 h suicide prevention; renewal by February 28 in odd-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Pennsylvania LMFT CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30clock hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Feb 28, odd yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By February 28 in odd-numbered years
- Accepted credit
- Board-approved providers incl. preapproved (49 Pa. Code §48.36): CSWE-accredited programs, ASWB and ASWB ACE, accredited colleges/universities, COAMFTE and CACREP programs, NASW, CSWA, NBCC, CRCC, APA, ANCC, AAMFT, ACA, AMHCA and others; other courses only with prior Board approval (§48.36a)
- Renewal fee
- $95
- Carryover
- Not allowed (excess clock hours may not be carried over).
- New licensees
- Licensees first licensed during the current biennium are exempt from the 30 hours at the first renewal, except the 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training (2025 Renewal Guide). Associate licensees (LAPC/LAMFT): first renewal needs only 1 h suicide prevention + 2 h child abuse.
- Audits & records
- Signed certification at renewal; random audits. Keep certificates at least 4 years (2025 Renewal Guide). Child abuse course completion is reported electronically by the approved provider.
- Renew online
- www.pals.pa.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Child abuse recognition & reportingAll licensees; DHS/Bureau-approved provider (Act 31); 3 hours required once for initial licensure | 2 | every renewal |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawAll licensees: professional ethics | 3 | every renewal |
| Suicide preventionAll licensees: assessment, treatment and management of suicide risks (Act 74 of 2016); does not count toward ethics | 1 | every renewal |
Good to know. Biennium runs March 1 of an odd year to Feb 28 of the next odd year. Home study: rule text caps it at 20 hours, but a Board notice of 11/19/2019 permits all 30 hours online (no live requirement). One board licenses SW, MFT and LPC.
Source: www.pacodeandbulletin.gov · 49 Pa. Code §§ 48.31–48.37; Act 74 of 2016 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Pennsylvania
05 Questions
How much does a marriage & family therapist license renewal cost in Pennsylvania?
$95 per renewal, as listed by the board.
How many CE hours do marriage & family therapists need in Pennsylvania?
30 clock hours every 2 years.
How do I verify a marriage & family therapist license in Pennsylvania?
Use the license lookup of the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors (pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/social-workers-marriage-family-therapists-professional-counselors); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
Which CE topics are mandatory for marriage & family therapists in Pennsylvania?
Child abuse recognition & reporting — 2 h (every renewal); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 3 h (every renewal); Suicide prevention — 1 h (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for marriage & family therapists in Pennsylvania?
Licenses renew by February 28 in odd-numbered years (2 years cycle).