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North Dakota

CE Credit and License Renewal Information Page

North Dakota accepts Elevate CE's credits for social workers.

The North Dakota  Board of Social Work Examiners accepts courses approved by The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). More information can be found at: https://www.ndbswe.com/ce/licensee/licensee.approval.request.asp

Elevate Continuing Education, #1816, formerly Maryland CEU Institute is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program.

North Dakota Social Work Continuing Education Requirements

2025 License Renewal Information

Renewal Deadline: December 31, 2025

Renewal Frequency: Every 2 years on odd years

How many CEs do North Dakota social workers need for renewal?

  • Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): 30 Total CE Hours every 2 years

  • Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW):  30 Total CE Hours every 2 years

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW):  30 Total CE Hours every 2 years


SPECIAL TOPIC REQUIREMENTS (required for all licensure levels):

  • 2 Hours in Ethics

Can I take my CEs from Elevate CE?

YES! North Dakota Social Workers can complete all of their CE hours through Elevate CE. The North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners accepts courses approved by The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). More information can be found at: https://www.ndbswe.com/ce/licensee/licensee.approval.request.asp


Elevate Continuing Education, #1816, formerly Maryland CEU Institute is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program.


North Dakota Social Workers can combine Elevate CE’s Live Webinars and Recorded Webinars to fulfill their CE requirements. View our Live Webinars or Recorded Webinars to get started learning and earning the CEs your need for renewal today!


Are there any course format requirements or limitations for North Dakota social workers?

YES, North Dakota Social Workers are limited to no more than ten (10) contact hours completed by independent learning which may include activities like online studies without live interaction.


The North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners Website states: Please keep in mind, all live, real-time webinars count as regular, face-to-face continuing education hours and do not fall into the independent learning category.” Learn more HERE.


North Dakota Social Workers can complete their CE requirements through Elevate CE by taking 20 hours through our Live Webinars  (which count as regular face-to-face hours) plus an additional 10 hours through our Recorded Webinars .


Remember to also fulfill your 2 hour requirement for Ethics CEs. 


Are there any additional rules or requirements North Dakota social workers should know?

Online renewals are available August 15 through December 31 in odd-numbered years. Please contact the Board if you have questions about renewals. Board Website: https://www.ndbswe.com/


Newly Licensed Amount of Hours Required

Newly licensed individuals in the current 2-year licensing period are required to complete the following contact hour amount:

  • 15 approved continuing education hours are required if initially licensed between January first and June thirtieth of the odd-numbered year.

  • No continuing education contact hours are required if initially licensed on or after July first of an odd-numbered year.

  • Continuing education contact hours cannot be earned until after the license effective date and only within the current licensing period.

  • The required hours must be completed before you renew your social work license.


No Carry Over of Hours

Continuing education hours may only be applied to the current licensing period.  Excess contact hours may not be carried over to the following licensing period.

North Dakota Social Work CE Requirement Statutes

This information below has been obtained directly from the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners Website and is current as of January 2025. Please visit North Dakota Administrative Code Licensing Process for full information and details.


North Dakota Social Work Administrative Code
The Licensing Process | Continuing Education Requirements

  1. A social work practitioner licensed in North Dakota must complete thirty approved continuing education contact hours for the two-year licensing period to maintain licensure in North Dakota.

    1. No more than ten hours may be completed by independent learning which may include activities like online studies without live interaction. At least two hours must concern social work ethics.

    2. Fifteen approved continuing education hours are required if a social worker is initially licensed between January first and June thirtieth of the odd-numbered year.

    3. No continuing education hours are required if a social worker is initially licensed on or after July first of an odd-numbered year.

    4. Continuing education hours cannot be earned until after the license effective date and only within the current licensing period.

    5. Continuing education hours may only be applied to one licensing period.

  2. Board-approved continuing education course content must enhance the social worker's professional competence and relate to:

    1. Theories and concepts of human behavior and the social environment; Social work knowledge and skills; Social work research or practice evaluation; Social work ethics; or Cross-disciplinary courses directly relevant to social work practice or specialty.

  3. Approved continuing education may include:

    1. Workshops, professional conferences, seminars, and educational programs or courses presented by providers approved by the board.

    2. The continuing education presented by approved providers must comply with subsection

    3. Formal academic coursework. One semester credit hour class is equal to fifteen contact hours.

    4. Program presentation by licensee for which the licensee may receive hour-per-hour contact hours but only for one presentation of the same program

CREDIT ACCEPTANCE DISCLAIMER
PLEASE NOTE: The above information has been obtained directly from each state licensing board. At this time, information is available for social workers and professional counselors. Other professionals may check directly with their licensing board to determine if ASWB or NBCC CEs are accepted. Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their jurisdictions. We do our best keep our information current, but state laws sometimes change without notice. Please remember, it is your responsibility for interpreting your state’s laws, licensure requirements, course relevancy and all requirements for your state.
If you are aware of a change in your requirements that is not shown here, please send us an email at info@elevatece.com or complete our Contact Us form.

Our social work CEUs, social work CE credits, and professional counselor credit hours are widely accepted but please check with your state/licensing board to ensure they meet your CE needs before registering for a course.

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