Washington social work license requirements

We've listed some of the most common questions and answers for Washington social worker continuing education.

How many CE hours does Washington require for social workers?

• LASW/LICSW: 32 hours every 2 years. Licenses expire yearly on or before the licensee's birthday.

• LSWAA/LSWAIC: 16 hours every year. Licenses expire yearly on or before the licensee's birthday.

Can I take my continuing education through Continued Social Work?

Yes. Continued is an ASWB ACE provider, and the Washington Board of Social Workers accepts courses approved by ASWB ACE.

LASW/LICSW: 

• Every 6 years, licensed social workers must complete 6 hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. Continued offers a course approved by the Washington Board.
• 6 hours of continuing education in ethics every 2 years. Continued offers courses that may meet the professional law and ethics requirement.
• 2 hours of continuing education in health equity every 4 years. Continued offers courses that may meet this requirement. Licensees are responsible for ensuring content meets requirements and are encouraged to maintain documentation about course content if audited.
• 2 hours of continuing education in professional roles and boundaries every 2 years. Continued offers courses that may meet this requirement. Licensees are responsible for ensuring content meets requirements; these hours must be separate from ethics or laws.
• Beginning January 1, 2021, healthcare professionals (excluding physicians) who are offering telemedicine services to patients are required to complete telemedicine training. Washington State offers this telemedicine course.

LSWAA/LSWAIC: 

• Every 6 years, licensed social workers must complete 6 hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. Continued offers a course approved by the Washington Board.
• 6 hours of continuing education in ethics every 2 years. Continued offers courses that may meet the professional law and ethics requirement.
• 2 hours of continuing education in health equity every 4 years. Continued offers courses that may meet this requirement. Licensees are responsible for ensuring content meets requirements and are encouraged to maintain documentation about course content if audited.
• 2 hours of continuing education in professional roles and boundaries every year. Continued offers courses that may meet this requirement. Licensees are responsible for ensuring content meets requirements; these hours must be separate from ethics or laws.
• Beginning January 1, 2021, healthcare professionals (excluding physicians) who are offering telemedicine services to patients are required to complete telemedicine training. Washington State offers this telemedicine course.