Free CE for Social Workers / Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania social workers must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting, and 1 hour of suicide prevention.
✓ Verified against the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors on July 30, 2026
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Professional ethics | 3 | every renewal; counts within the 30 |
| Child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31, approved provider) | 2 | every renewal; counts within the 30 (3 hours at initial licensure) |
| Suicide risk assessment, treatment and management (Act 74) | 1 | every renewal; counts within the 30 but may NOT count toward the ethics hours |
Applies to LBSW, LSW, and LCSW; licenses expire end of February in odd-numbered years. New licensees are exempt from the 30 hours for their first biennium except the 2-hour child abuse training. No live/in-person CE requirement. Preapproved providers under 49 Pa. Code 47.36 include ASWB ACE-approved providers, ASWB itself, NASW and affiliates, CSWE-accredited programs, and accredited universities. The 2026 organ-donation CE mandate applies to medical/nursing licensees, not social workers.
Yes — Pennsylvania accepts continuing education from nationally accredited providers, so courses from an accredited provider like the ones on Pulse count toward your renewal.
Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/social-workers-marriage-family-therapists-professional-counselors/renewal-information
Requirements change. Confirm all figures on the board site above before relying on them.
Pulse offers free, accredited CE for LMSWs and LCSWs. Local healthcare organizations cover the cost — you pay nothing, and the hours apply toward your Pennsylvania requirement (subject to the board rules above).
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