Washington accepts Elevate CE's credits for social workers.
Washington State accepts courses approved by Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and also accepts programs accepted by National Board for Certified Counselors or its affiliates as an automatic approved sponsor list. More information can be found at https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-620: (NOTE: ASWB does not appear on this list as this list is not exhaustive. Elevate CE has verified directly with Waashington State that they do accept ASWB approved courses).
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.
Elevate Continuing Education has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.7347. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Elevate Continuing Education is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs
Washington Social Work Continuing Education Requirements
2025 Renewal Information
Renewal Deadline: Rolling (based on Birth month)
Renewal Frequency: Every two years
How many CEs do Washington social workers need for renewal?
Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW): 36 Total CE Hours every two years
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW): 36 Total CE Hours every two Years
Licensed Social Worker Associates (both Advanced and Independent Clinical): 18 hours every year.
SPECIAL TOPIC REQUIREMENTS (required for all licensure levels)
6 Hours in professional ethics and laws
6 Hours training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management (every 6 years)
2 hours of health equity continuing education training (every 4 years)
Can I take my CEs from Elevate CE?
YES! Washington Social Workers can earn all of their required continuing education hours through any combination of live or recorded webinars offered by Elevate Continuing Education. Our courses are approved by NBCC.
Elevate CE is an approved provider through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)The Washington State Department of Health accepts courses approved through NBCC. Please see the regulation here.
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 Washington social workers?
No, there are no limits on distance learning. Washington Social Workers can complete their continuing education online, either through live (synchronous) or recorded (asynchronous) webinars, as per WAC 246-809-610
Are there any additional rules or requirements Washington social workers should know?
Yes, starting January 2024, social workers must complete a 2-hour health equity training every four years. This training focuses on addressing discrimination and bias in healthcare systems.
Washington Social Work CE Requirement Statutes
This information below has been obtained directly from the Washington State Department of Health Website and is current as of January 2025. Please visit here for full information and details.
WAC 246-809-630
Continuing education requirements.
(1) An associate must complete 18 hours of continuing education as required in WAC 246-809-632.
(2) Licensed social worker associate advanced and licensed social worker associate independent clinical must complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment, and management CE as required in WAC 246-809-632.
(3) A licensed counselor must complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years.
(a) At least six of the 36 hours must be in professional ethics and law, which may include topics under RCW 18.130.180.
(b) All licensed counselors must complete a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education training every four years. The training content must be consistent with requirements established in WAC 246-12-830.
(c) Beginning January 1, 2014, at least once every six years a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor, and licensed social worker must complete at least six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management.
(i) The first training must be completed during the first full CE reporting period after January 1, 2014, or the first full CE period after initial licensure, whichever occurs later.
(ii) Beginning July 1, 2017, a qualifying suicide prevention training must be selected from the department's model list, as required in WAC 246-809-615.
(iii) Beginning July 1, 2021, a subsequent qualifying training must be selected from the department's model list, as required in WAC 246-809-615.
(iv) The hours spent completing training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management count toward the total 36 hours of CE.
(v) An individual applying for initial licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor, or licensed social worker on or after January 1, 2014, may delay completion of the first training required for six years after initial licensure if he or she can demonstrate completion of six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management that:
(A) Was completed no more than six years prior to the application for initial licensure; and
(B) Meets the qualifications listed in WAC 246-809-615.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040, 2021 c 276, 2020 c 76, and 2023 c 4
