Colorado · LCSW Renewal

Colorado LCSW CEU Requirements (2025–2027)

Colorado LCSWs need 40 Professional Development Hours every two years against a Personal Learning Plan, with no mandatory content categories. The Continuing Professional Competence (CPC) rule trusts the licensee to identify their own learning gaps from a self-assessment instead of dictating ethics or suicide hours. Here is the verified breakdown from 4 CCR 726-1.18.

Last verified: May 2026 · Source: C.R.S. § 12-245-410; 4 CCR 726-1.18

The short version

Colorado is a structural outlier among the states Still Licensed covers. Most boards write a CE rule that says "30 hours, of which 6 must be ethics, 3 cultural competence, 3 suicide, et cetera." Colorado's rule says "40 hours against the learning plan you built from your Professional Practice Rubric self-assessment, no content minimums." The Personal Learning Plan replaces the categorical mandate.

How the CPC program works

• Step 1. Complete the Professional Practice Rubric and self-assessment to identify the practice areas where your knowledge or skill needs strengthening.
• Step 2. Build a Personal Learning Plan with concrete goals tied to the self-assessment.
• Step 3. Accrue 40 PDH per renewal cycle through activities aligned with the plan.
• Step 4. Retain documentation for 5 years from license expiration date (4 CCR 726-1.18(E)(6)).

Renewal cycle: odd-year August 31

Colorado LCSW and LSW licenses both expire August 31 of odd-numbered years. The current cycle runs September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2027.

Activity types and caps

Coursework from accredited educational institutions or nationally and regionally recognized professional organizations may be credited hour-for-hour up to the full 40 PDH (§1.18(F)(1)). All other Professional Development Activities (volunteer service, consultation, supervision, presenting, publication, independent learning) are capped at 20 PDH per single activity per cycle. Serving on a federal, state, or municipal board or commission is not eligible for PDH credit.

Allowed PDA categories

• Coursework (uncapped up to 40 PDH from accredited sources)
• Volunteer Service (max 20 PDH per cycle)
• Consultation (max 20 PDH per cycle)
• Supervision (max 20 PDH per cycle)
• Presenting (max 20 PDH per cycle)
• Publication (max 20 PDH per cycle)
• Independent Learning (max 20 PDH per cycle)

Carryover

Colorado allows up to 5 PDH from the prior renewal cycle to carry forward into the next (§1.18). The other states Still Licensed covers either disallow carryover entirely or cap it tighter, so this is one of the more generous rules in the network.

First renewal: pro-rata

Partial-cycle licensees pro-rate at 1.66 PDH per month or portion thereof of licensure (§1.18(E)). There is no first-renewal exemption.

Reporting to DORA

Colorado does not mandate CE Broker. At online renewal you self-attest that you met the CPC requirements; documentation is requested only on audit, restoration, or disciplinary review. Do not send certificates with a routine renewal.

Audit

Audits are random under §1.18(G)(2). The rule does not publish a percentage. Retain your Personal Learning Plan, self-assessment, and PDH documentation for 5 years from license expiration.

Exemptions

• Active-duty military service exceeding 120 days during the renewal cycle (§1.18(H)(1)).
• Dual-licensure holders meeting equivalent CPD requirements in another state, with documentation (§1.18(H)(2)).

Other Colorado social work licenses

4 CCR 726-1.18 applies the same 40-PDH requirement and same CPC program structure to LSW (Licensed Social Worker). The CPC rule does not differentiate clinical from non-clinical tiers on continuing education.

Board links

This page is informational. Rules change. Verify against the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations) before acting on anything here.