Social Workers · Kentucky · Continuing education
Kentucky Social Work CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- LCSW/CSW30 hours every 3 years, including 3 h domestic violence (before the first renewal), 1.5 h child abuse recognition & reporting (every 6 years), 3 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 6 h suicide prevention (every 6 years); renewal on the date shown on your license.
- LSW15 hours every 3 years, including 3 h domestic violence (before the first renewal), 1.5 h child abuse recognition & reporting (every 6 years), 3 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 6 h suicide prevention (every 6 years); renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Kentucky LCSW/CSW CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30hours
- Renewal cycle
- 3 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Preapproved: programs sponsored/approved by ASWB, NASW, NABSW, NACSW, Clinical Social Work Association; sponsored by APA, ACA, NBCC, American Psychiatric Association, CSWE-accredited Kentucky social work programs; related academic courses (1 credit = 15 h). Other programs need board approval; Kentucky ethics and supervision courses always need board approval
- Audits & records
- Licensees list CE hours at renewal; up to 15% audited each calendar year; keep documentation 1 year after last renewal.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence3-hour course on domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect and exploitation in the 3-year period after initial licensure | 3 | before the first renewal |
| Child abuse recognition & reportingRecognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma, once every 6 years | 1.5 | every 6 years |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawBoard-approved course on the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct (201 KAR 23:080) | 3 | every renewal |
| Suicide preventionBoard-approved training in suicide assessment, treatment and management (KRS 210.366), every 6 years | 6 | every 6 years |
| Clinical supervisionLCSW board-approved supervisors: board-approved clinical supervision course | 3 | every renewal |
| Elder abusePart of the same 3-hour DV/elder abuse course after initial licensure | — | before the first renewal |
Good to know. 3-year renewal period; CE in person or technology-mediated. Hour = 50 minutes. Board meeting attendance up to 6 h. Board site bsw.ky.gov returned 403 to our checker.
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · 201 KAR 23:075 · checked Oct 28, 2026
Kentucky LSW CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 15hours
- Renewal cycle
- 3 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Preapproved: programs sponsored/approved by ASWB, NASW, NABSW, NACSW, Clinical Social Work Association; sponsored by APA, ACA, NBCC, American Psychiatric Association, CSWE-accredited Kentucky social work programs; related academic courses (1 credit = 15 h). Other programs need board approval; Kentucky ethics and supervision courses always need board approval
- Audits & records
- Licensees list CE hours at renewal; up to 15% audited each calendar year; keep documentation 1 year after last renewal.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence3-hour course on domestic violence and elder abuse, neglect and exploitation in the 3-year period after initial licensure | 3 | before the first renewal |
| Child abuse recognition & reportingRecognition and prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma, once every 6 years | 1.5 | every 6 years |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawBoard-approved course on the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct (201 KAR 23:080) | 3 | every renewal |
| Suicide preventionBoard-approved training in suicide assessment, treatment and management (KRS 210.366), every 6 years | 6 | every 6 years |
| Elder abusePart of the same 3-hour DV/elder abuse course after initial licensure | — | before the first renewal |
Good to know. 3-year renewal period; CE in person or technology-mediated. Hour = 50 minutes. Board site bsw.ky.gov returned 403 to our checker.
Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · 201 KAR 23:075 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How do I verify a social worker license in Kentucky?
Use the license lookup of the Kentucky Board of Social Work (bsw.ky.gov); 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 Kentucky?
LCSW/CSW: 30 hours every 3 years. LSW: 15 hours every 3 years.
Which CE topics are mandatory for social workers in Kentucky?
LCSW/CSW: Domestic violence — 3 h (before the first renewal); Child abuse recognition & reporting — 1.5 h (every 6 years); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 3 h (every renewal); Suicide prevention — 6 h (every 6 years); Clinical supervision — 3 h (every renewal); Elder abuse (before the first renewal). LSW: Domestic violence — 3 h (before the first renewal); Child abuse recognition & reporting — 1.5 h (every 6 years); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 3 h (every renewal); Suicide prevention — 6 h (every 6 years); Elder abuse (before the first renewal).
Which CE courses count for social workers in Kentucky?
LCSW/CSW: Preapproved: programs sponsored/approved by ASWB, NASW, NABSW, NACSW, Clinical Social Work Association; sponsored by APA, ACA, NBCC, American Psychiatric Association, CSWE-accredited Kentucky social work programs; related academic courses (1 credit = 15 h). Other programs need board approval; Kentucky ethics and supervision courses always need board approval. LSW: Preapproved: programs sponsored/approved by ASWB, NASW, NABSW, NACSW, Clinical Social Work Association; sponsored by APA, ACA, NBCC, American Psychiatric Association, CSWE-accredited Kentucky social work programs; related academic courses (1 credit = 15 h). Other programs need board approval; Kentucky ethics and supervision courses always need board approval.
How do social workers report CE in Kentucky?
LCSW/CSW: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. LSW: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
When is the renewal deadline for social workers in Kentucky?
LCSW/CSW: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (3 years cycle). LSW: Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (3 years cycle).