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How to Figure Out Your CE Requirements for LCSW, LPC, LMFT and ADCs

by | May 29, 2026

If you hold a counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or addiction license or certification, you already know this: every state and every board has its own continuing education rules. The number of hours is different. The topics are different. The split between online/asynchronous vs. live/synchronous is different. Even who counts as an “approved provider” is different.

What most people don’t realize is that the only thing that really counts is what’s written in your board’s rules. Not what a CE provider claims. Not what someone posted in a Facebook group or what AI tells you. Not even what’s summarized on the board’s license renewal page.

This post walks you through, step by step, how to:

  • Find the actual rules for your license
  • Pull out what you need: hours, topics, formats, and provider types
  • Build a simple checklist so you always know which CE is “safe” for you

You can repeat this same process for every license and every state you hold a license in.

You should repeat this process every renewal cycle (for most people, every two years) because laws and rules change and boards rarely notify you.

 

Step 1: List every license you have to renew

On a sheet of paper (or in a simple document), write down each license you hold:

  • License type (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, LADAC, etc.)
  • State where it was issued

Do this for every license. If you are licensed in multiple states, don’t assume they all accept the same courses or formats. You may need additional courses or live hours beyond what your “home” state requires.

Step 2: For each license, go straight to the rules

Work through your list one license at a time.

  1. Google:
    [State] [license type] board
    Example: Florida LMHC Board, Tennessee LCSW Board, Alabama LMFT Board
  2. On the board’s site, ignore the renewal/FAQ page for now. Look for a link that says:
    1. “Laws and Rules”
    2. “Rules and Regulations”
    3. “Rules of the Board”
  3. Click the link for the rules of the board. You want the actual rule document for your profession.
  4. Once you are on the page with the board’s rules, use CTRL+F (or your browser’s search function) and type “continuing education.” That should jump you straight to the continuing education section.

That section is where your CE requirements actually live.

 

Step 3: Pull out the information you actually need

From the continuing education section, you’re looking for a few practical things. Write them down as you go.

  1. Renewal timing and total hours
    1. Your renewal date (or renewal month)
    2. How often you renew (annually, every 2 years/Biennially, every 3 years)
    3. How many total CE hours you need each renewal cycle
    4. Whether there is a different rule for your first renewal
  2. Required courses/topics Most states have certain mandatory topics such as:
    1. Multicultural / cultural competence / anti-oppression
    2. Suicide prevention
    3. Ethics
    4. Trauma-informed care
    5. Laws and rules
    6. Supervision (if you are an approved supervisor)

 

For each required topic, write down:

  • The topic name
  • How many hours you need in that topic
  • Whether those hours must be live/synchronous or can be online/asynchronous

 

  1. Synchronous vs. asynchronous Some states don’t care about format. Many do.
    1. If your rule does not mention live vs. online at all, write:
      “No specific live vs. online limits in the rule.”
    2. If your rule does mention format, write down:
      1. Minimum hours that must be live/synchronous/real-time
      2. Maximum hours that can be online/asynchronous/home study

A few states, like Alaska, Utah, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, still require at least some live or real-time interactive CE. However, many of these can be completed via live, interactive webinars. Do not assume your state lets you do 100% self-paced online. Check.

  1. Approved education providers Most rules have a section listing who is allowed to offer CE that “counts.” Common examples:
    1. Board-approved providers
    2. National organizations such as NBCC, NAADAC, APA, ASWB, etc.
    3. Other state boards of the same profession

That usually means:

  • If a course is offered by a provider approved by NBCC, NAADAC, or another state board of the same profession, it is generally acceptable.
  • Some states (for example, New York) will only accept providers they have directly approved.

 

Step 4: Use the rule or call the board (not social media or AI)

If you get stuck or something is unclear, call or email the board and ask very direct questions, like:

  • “When is my renewal date?”
  • “How many CE hours do I need each renewal cycle?”
  • “Which specific topics or courses are required for renewal, and how many hours of each?”
  • “Are courses from education providers approved by NAADAC or other state boards of [your profession] acceptable for my license?”

Write down who you spoke with, the date, and what they told you, or save the email.

 

Step 5: Don’t trust the renewal page alone

Renewal pages on your state board’s website are often over-simplified. They may:

  • Leave out required topics
  • Skip details about live vs. online
  • Not mention restrictions on providers
  • Be out of date

To prevent a lot of heartache and possibly getting your license suspended:

  • Use the rules and direct answers from the board as your sources.
  • Use the renewal page only as a quick reminder of dates and links, not as your “bible.”

When in doubt, go back to the rules or ask someone at the board, not a marketing email and not a Facebook thread.

 

ALLCEUs offers weekly LIVE CEUs and unlimited on-demand CEUs.  ALLCEUS is an approved education provider for NAADAC, IC&RC and multiple state boards of Counseling, Family Therapy and Social Work.