Social Workers · Texas · Continuing education
Texas Social Work CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- LBSW/LMSW/LCSW: 30 hours every 2 years, including 6 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 3 h cultural competency, 6 h clinical supervision; renewal by the end of your birth month, reported through CE Broker.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Texas LBSW/LMSW/LCSW CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Birth month
- Reporting
- CE Broker
- Renewal deadline
- By the end of your birth month
- Accepted credit
- At least 50% of hours from: associations of medical, mental or behavioral health professionals; school districts/education service centers; government entities; accredited colleges/universities; religious or charitable mental-health organizations; Council-approved supervisors; hospitals; or providers approved/endorsed by these. The Council does not pre-approve providers. Other credit: presentations (max 5), authoring book/peer-reviewed article (max 5), teaching/attending college course (max 5), self-study (max 1), HHSC human trafficking course (1 hour); field/practicum instruction (max 10)
- Renewal fee
- $108
- Carryover
- Up to 10 hours earned in the current renewal period and not needed may be carried forward to the next period.
- New licensees
- First renewal is set 1-2 years after issuance depending on birth month (22 TAC §883.2); no separate first-renewal CE exemption stated.
- Audits & records
- 5% of licensees randomly audited each month (22 TAC §882.50); keep proof of CE for at least 3 years after the renewal period. Since 1 Jan 2026 CE must be reported in CE Broker before renewal.
- Renew online
- bhec.texas.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Human traffickingAll licensees: HHSC-approved human trafficking prevention course affirmed at each renewal (Occ. Code ch. 116; 22 TAC §883.1(d)); may count as 1 CE hour | — | every renewal |
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawAll licensees; may include state/federal law and agency rules; passing the jurisprudence exam counts as 1 ethics hour | 6 | every renewal |
| Cultural competencyAll licensees: competency when providing services to a distinct population of the licensee's choice | 3 | every renewal |
| Clinical supervisionLicensees with supervisory status | 6 | every renewal |
Good to know. Biennial renewal due the last day of the birth month. Rules are set by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners and administered by the Council. Special requirements count toward the 30 hours.
Source: bhec.texas.gov · 22 Tex. Admin. Code §781.501; §882.50; §883.1 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Texas
05 Questions
How do I verify a social worker license in Texas?
Use the license lookup of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (bhec.texas.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal through CE Broker.
How many CE hours do social workers need in Texas?
30 hours every 2 years.
Which CE topics are mandatory for social workers in Texas?
Human trafficking (every renewal); Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 6 h (every renewal); Cultural competency — 3 h (every renewal); Clinical supervision — 6 h (every renewal).
Which CE courses count for social workers in Texas?
At least 50% of hours from: associations of medical, mental or behavioral health professionals; school districts/education service centers; government entities; accredited colleges/universities; religious or charitable mental-health organizations; Council-approved supervisors; hospitals; or providers approved/endorsed by these. The Council does not pre-approve providers. Other credit: presentations (max 5), authoring book/peer-reviewed article (max 5), teaching/attending college course (max 5), self-study (max 1), HHSC human trafficking course (1 hour); field/practicum instruction (max 10).
How do social workers report CE in Texas?
Through CE Broker — the board checks completed hours there at renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for social workers in Texas?
Licenses renew by the end of your birth month (2 years cycle).