Social work CE requirements vary widely across the Southwest. Arizona builds its hours around ethics and supervision. New Mexico includes cultural competence. Nevada has one of the strictest suicide prevention mandates in the country. Utah separates clinical and nonclinical requirements. And Colorado stands out with no mandatory CE hours at all, though many social workers complete them voluntarily for practice standards and employment expectations.
Below, you’ll find the exact CE requirements for each Southwest state—what you need, when you need it, and what counts toward your total hours.
Arizona
Arizona’s Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE) sets clear CE expectations for LCSWs and LMSWs, with specific requirements for those providing supervision.
Basic Requirements
30 hours every 2 years for LCSWs and LMSWs.
- LCSWs who supervise must complete 3 hours of clinical supervision every renewal.
- All license types must include 3 hours of ethics.
Required Topics
- 3 hours ethics
- 3 hours clinical supervision (LCSW supervisors only)
- No mandatory suicide-specific course, though suicide content counts toward clinical hours.
What Counts
Arizona accepts CEs from:
– ASWB ACE-approved providers
– NASW
– Accredited colleges and universities
– Other board-recognized providers
All hours may be completed online—no limits on distance learning.
Renewal Timeline
Licenses renew every 2 years on the last day of your birth month.
New Mexico
New Mexico’s CE requirements emphasize ethics and cultural responsiveness.
Basic Requirements
40 hours every 2 years for all social work license levels.
Required Topics
- 6 hours ethics
- 2 hours cultural competence
- No statewide suicide prevention requirement.
What Counts
New Mexico accepts CEs from:
– ASWB ACE providers
– NASW
– Accredited academic programs
All hours can be taken online.
First Renewal
No reduced-hour exception. You need the full 40 hours at your first renewal.
Renewal Timeline
Renewal occurs every 2 years on June 30.
Nevada
Nevada has one of the most specific—and strict—set of CE requirements in the Southwest, particularly around suicide prevention and ethics.
Basic Requirements
36 hours every 2 years for all independent and clinical-level social workers.
Required Topics
- 6 hours suicide prevention, from a board-approved provider
- 4 hours ethics
- 2 hours suicide risk assessment refresher (required in alternating cycles)
Suicide Prevention Requirement
Nevada requires:
- A 6-hour suicide course every renewal period
- Additional 2-hour refreshers depending on cycle
Courses must meet Nevada’s clinical criteria and come from approved sources. Note that all ACE-approved suicide courses meet Nevada’s board-approved suicide-prevention list; providers must be specifically approved.
What Counts
Nevada accepts:
– ASWB ACE-approved providers
– NASW
– Universities and behavioral health boards
Distance learning is fully allowed. No cap on online hours.
Renewal Timeline
Renew every 2 years by the last day of your birth month.
Utah
Utah separates CE requirements by license level and includes targeted hours for ethics and suicide prevention.
Basic Requirements
40 hours every 2 years for all LCSWs and CSWs.
20 hours every 2 years for Social Service Workers (SSWs).
Required Topics
LCSW / CSW:
- 6 hours ethics (including 3 hours directly on Utah law and practice standards)
- 2 hours suicide prevention (from a board-approved program)
SSW:
- 3 hours ethics
- No required suicide hours
What Counts
Accepted CE sources include:
– ASWB ACE providers
– NASW
– NBCC
– Accredited colleges
Online hours are allowed without restriction.
Renewal Timeline
Renew every 2 years on September 30 of even-numbered years.
Colorado
Colorado uses a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) model instead of traditional CE hours. You don’t complete a set number of “CEUs”—you complete a structured learning cycle built around self-assessment, goal-setting, and 40 Professional Development Hours (PDH).
Basic Requirements
40 PDH every 2 years for all social work license types.
The renewal deadline is August 31 of odd-numbered years.
How CPD Works
Colorado’s system has three core components:
1. Professional Practice Rubric + Self-Assessment
At the start of your cycle, you complete a self-assessment reviewing your strengths, growth areas, and current practice responsibilities.
2. Learning Goals + Learning Plan
You then set learning goals and create a Learning Plan. All PDH you earn must connect to the goals in that plan.
3. Professional Development Hours (PDH)
You must complete 40 PDH through approved Professional Development Activities (PDA).
These can include coursework, trainings, workshops, supervision, consultation, publishing, teaching, volunteering, or independent study—anything that advances your competence and aligns with your Learning Plan.
What Counts
The Board does not pre-approve courses or providers.
If an activity clearly supports your Learning Plan and strengthens your professional competence, it counts.
You may earn all 40 PDH through coursework if you choose.
Limits and Carryover
- No more than 20 PDH may come from any single category of activity.
- You may carry over 5 PDH into your next cycle if they were completed within six months of your license expiration and are above the required 40.
- You must keep your Learning Plan, PDH records, and documentation for five years after the cycle ends.
New Licensees
If your license was issued mid-cycle, your PDH requirement is prorated at 1.66 hours per month, counted from the month your license was issued through your expiration date.
Quick Reference: Southwest Comparison
| State | Total Requirement | Cycle | Ethics Required | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 30 hours | 2 years | 3 hours | 3 hours clinical supervision for LCSWs who supervise |
| New Mexico | 40 hours | 2 years | 6 hours | 2 hours cultural competence |
| Nevada | 36 hours | 2 years | 4 hours | 6 hours suicide prevention + periodic refreshers |
| Utah (LCSW/CSW) | 40 hours | 2 years | 6 hours | 2 hours suicide prevention |
| Utah (SSW) | 20 hours | 2 years | 3 hours | None |
| Colorado | 40 PDH (Professional Development Hours) | 2 years (odd-numbered years) | Included within PDH (no set ethics minimum) | CPD system: self-assessment, Learning Plan, and PDH across multiple activity categories |
Where SWTP CEUs Fits
SWTP CEUs is an ASWB ACE-approved provider (#2486), which means our courses count for CE credit across all Southwest states that require continuing education. You’ll find:
- Ethics courses that meet topic requirements in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah
- Clinical courses (CBT, DBT, crisis intervention, MI) that apply toward general hours
- Documentation, boundaries, and telehealth content relevant across the region
State-specific mandates—like Nevada-approved suicide courses or Utah-specific law—may require outside providers, but SWTP CEUs covers the majority of general and clinical CE needs.
Staying Compliant: Practical Tips
- Track your deadlines. Many boards no longer send reminders.
- Keep certificates organized. Nevada audits regularly; New Mexico and Arizona may request proof.
- Handle required topics early. Especially Nevada’s suicide course and Utah’s ethics hours.
- Spread hours across the cycle. Don’t save all 30–40 hours for the last month.
- Use ACE-approved providers. Ensures acceptance across all Southwest states.
Questions About Southwest CE Requirements?
Requirements reflect each state board’s guidance as of November 2025. Please always verify current rules before renewing.
Arizona BBHE: (602) 542-1882 | bbhe.az.gov
New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners: (505) 476-4622 | rld.nm.gov
Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers: (775) 688-2555 | socwork.nv.gov
Utah DOPL: (801) 530-6628 | dopl.utah.gov
Colorado DORA: (303) 894-7800 | dora.colorado.gov
More regions are coming soon: Midwest, South, and Northeast.
SWTP CEUs is an ASWB ACE-approved provider (#2486), offering continuing education designed by social workers, for social workers.