Social Workers · District of Columbia · Continuing education
District of Columbia Social Work CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- LICSW/LISW/LGSW/LSWA: 40 hours every 2 years, including 6 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 2 h cultural competency, 4 h public health priority topics; renewal by the end of your birth month.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
How many hours do I still need?
Find conferences in District of Columbia →
Calculated in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
03 Requirements
District of Columbia LICSW/LISW/LGSW/LSWA CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- Upload
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- Approved continuing education providers (certificates must show provider approval status); academic courses relevant to social work (1 credit = 20 contact hours); presenting for an approved provider; authoring/editing published work
- New licensees
- First renewal after initial licensure is exempt from CE.
- Renew online
- dohenterprise.my.site.com ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawIn person or live interactive webinar | 6 | every renewal |
| Cultural competencyLGBTQ cultural competency (separate from public health priority hours) | 2 | every renewal |
| Public health priority topics10% of required CE in DC Health public health priority topics | 4 | every renewal |
Good to know. 28 of 40 hours, incl. ethics, must be in person or live interactive webinar; upload proof with renewal. Moving to birth-month expiry (renewal in odd/even years matching birth year); transition: 50% CE accepted if under 2 years on the term, LGBTQ and public health hours still due.
Source: dchealth.dc.gov · 17 DCMR §7008 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in District of Columbia
05 Questions
How do I verify a social worker license in District of Columbia?
Use the license lookup of the DC Board of Social Work (dchealth.dc.gov/node/161602); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
How many CE hours do social workers need in District of Columbia?
40 hours every 2 years.
Which CE topics are mandatory for social workers in District of Columbia?
Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 6 h (every renewal); Cultural competency — 2 h (every renewal); Public health priority topics — 4 h (every renewal).
Which CE courses count for social workers in District of Columbia?
Approved continuing education providers (certificates must show provider approval status); academic courses relevant to social work (1 credit = 20 contact hours); presenting for an approved provider; authoring/editing published work.
How do social workers report CE in District of Columbia?
By uploading certificates with the renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for social workers in District of Columbia?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).