California · LCSW Renewal
California LCSW CEU Requirements (2026–2027)
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires 36 CE hours every two years, plus three one-time trainings you complete once in your career. Here's the verified breakdown.
Last verified: April 2026 · Source: California Business and Professions Code § 4996.22; Title 16 CCR § 1887–1887.11
The short version
| Requirement | Hours | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 36 | Every 2 years |
| Law & Ethics (California-specific) | 6 | Every 2 years |
| Suicide Risk Assessment & Intervention | 6 | One-time |
| Telehealth (law & ethics) | 3 | One-time |
| Human Trafficking | 3 | One-time |
One-time requirements explained
California stacks one-time training requirements on top of the per-cycle total. Once completed, they do not repeat, but they must be on file with the board.
- Suicide Risk Assessment & Intervention (6 hrs): required for licensees renewing after January 1, 2021. Does not repeat.
- Telehealth (3 hrs): per AB 1759, effective July 1, 2023. Must include law and ethics specific to telehealth practice.
- Human Trafficking (3 hrs): per AB 1432. Verify before relying: this was not prominent on the current BBS CE page as of April 2026. Confirm with the board.
Renewal timing
Biennial. California's Board of Behavioral Sciences does not offer a grace period — the license becomes delinquent the moment it expires. You have a 3-year late-renewal window; after that, the license is cancelled and you'd need to reapply.
Self-study cap
Up to 50% of required hours may be non-interactive (home study or asynchronous online). Verify before relying: plausible from legacy guidance but not definitively confirmed on the current BBS CE page.
Carryover
California does not document carryover. Assume excess hours do not roll over.
Accepted CE providers
BBS no longer maintains an approved-provider list. You verify provider status independently. Acceptable provider categories include:
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
- Accredited postsecondary institutions
- Teaching engagements in relevant subject areas
Board links
Track these requirements automatically.
Still Licensed keeps your California ethics and total hours up to date as you log each CE. Multi-state support for LCSWs practicing across OR, WA, CA, and AZ, with one entry counted toward every applicable state.
This page is informational. Rules change. Verify against the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) before acting on anything here.