Continuing education (CE) requirements for social workers in the Central Plains region—Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma—feature high total hour counts and strict rules regarding live vs. independent study formats.
Arkansas and Oklahoma impose the most stringent limits on online or independent study, often requiring a substantial portion of hours to be obtained live. Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas all require significant hours dedicated to ethics and diversity/bias training.
Note: While we strive for accuracy, requirements change. Always check with your state board for the most current rules, renewal deadlines, and approved course formats before purchasing or completing courses.
State-by-State Breakdown
Arkansas
Arkansas has a biennial cycle with a significant requirement for live, face-to-face instruction.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours | 30 hours every 2 years |
| Required Topics | 3 hours in professional ethics |
| Online/Distance | A minimum of 15 hours must be face-to-face (live, in-person, or live, interactive webinars). |
| No more than 15 hours may be independent study (pre-recorded, asynchronous, or home study). | |
| What Counts | ASWB ACE-approved courses are accepted. Webinars must be both live and interactive to count as face-to-face. |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 2 years, based on license issuance date (varies). |
| Board Contact | Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/social-work-licensing-board/ |
Kansas
Kansas has a high hour requirement on a biennial cycle, with specific mandates depending on the license level.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours | 40 hours every 2 years |
| Required Topics | A minimum of 3 hours in ethics |
| 6 hours in diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders (LMSW/LSCSW only) | |
| Special Note | A one-time requirement of 6 hours in social work safety awareness is required for all licensees upon initial licensure. (Note: The Diagnosis/Treatment requirement reduces to 3 hours effective July 1, 2025). |
| Online/Distance | No limit on the number of hours that may be completed through distance learning/home study (all 40 hours may be completed online). |
| What Counts | ASWB ACE-approved providers. |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 2 years, based on the original date of issuance. |
| Board Contact | Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board ksbsrb.ks.gov |
Missouri
Missouri uses a biennial cycle with explicit and robust mandates for ethics, suicide, and diversity training.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours | 30 hours every 2 years |
| Required Topics | 3 hours in ethics |
| 3 hours in explicit or implicit bias, diversity, inclusion, or cultural competency/humility | |
| 2 hours in suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management | |
| Online/Distance | The usual limit is a maximum of 15 hours via self-study/correspondence courses. Note: This limit was temporarily waived for the 2024-2025 renewal cycle, allowing all 30 hours to be distance learning. |
| What Counts | ASWB ACE-approved providers and board-recognized trainings. |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 2 years, by September 30th of even years. |
| Board Contact | Missouri State Committee for Social Workers mo.gov/socialworkers.asp |
Nebraska
Nebraska operates on a biennial (two-year) cycle with a mandatory, elevated ethics requirement.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours | 32 hours every 2 years |
| Required Topics | A minimum of 4 hours in ethics education |
| 6 hours relating to diagnosis and treatment of major mental disorders (for Independent Mental Health Practitioners only) | |
| Online/Distance | No limit on the number of hours that may be completed through distance learning/home study (all 32 hours may be completed online). |
| What Counts | ASWB ACE-approved providers, accredited universities, and board-recognized trainings. |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 2 years, by August 31st of each even year. |
| Board Contact | Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services ne.gov/licensure/Pages/License-Renewals.aspx |
Oklahoma
Oklahoma requires annual renewal and has a critical rule that limits self-study and often requires ethics to be live.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours | 16 hours every 1 year |
| Required Topics | 3 hours in ethics |
| Online/Distance | A minimum of 8 hours must be in Category I (Formally Organized Learning Events, often interpreted as face-to-face or live, interactive webinars). |
| Up to 8 hours may be completed via Category III (Individual/Home Study or online self-study). | |
| What Counts | ASWB ACE-approved courses; ethics hours are often required to be Category I (live/interactive). |
| Renewal Timeline | Annually, by December 31st each year. |
| Board Contact | Oklahoma Board of Licensed Social Workers oklahoma.gov/socialworkers.html |
Quick Reference: Central Plains Comparison
| State | Total | Cycle | Ethics | Special | Online Limit |
| AR | 30 | 2 years | 3 hrs | None | Max 15 hrs Independent Study; Min 15 hrs Live/Interactive |
| KS | 40 | 2 years | 3 hrs | 6 hrs Diagnosis/Treatment (LMSW/LSCSW) | Unlimited online hours allowed |
| MO | 30 | 2 years | 3 hrs | 3 hrs Diversity/Bias, 2 hrs Suicide Assessment | Max 15 hrs self-study (normally) |
| NE | 32 | 2 years | 4 hrs | 6 hrs Diagnosis/Treatment (IMHPs only) | Unlimited online hours allowed |
| OK | 16 | 1 year | 3 hrs | None | Max 8 hrs Independent Study/Category III |
Staying Compliant: Practical Tips
- Annual vs. Biennial: Oklahoma is the only state in this group requiring annual renewal (16 hours). All others renew biennially.
- Format is King: Oklahoma and Arkansas have the strictest rules on format. You must prioritize live, interactive training to meet the minimum required hours in these states.
- Missouri Mandates: Do not overlook Missouri’s trifecta: Ethics, Diversity/Bias, and Suicide Assessment are all mandatory components that require separate course completion.
- Use ACE Providers: ASWB ACE-approved courses are accepted in all five states, simplifying your documentation and course selection.
- Save Everything: Retain course certificates and attendance records for at least 4 years, as audits can occur at any time, especially after renewal.
Where SWTP CEUs Fits
SWTP CEUs is an ASWB ACE-approved provider (#2486) that offers self-paced, on-demand courses.
- Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska: All SWTP CE courses count toward your general hours, ethics, and required topics (if the content aligns), as these states currently allow all or nearly all hours to be completed via self-study.
- Arkansas & Oklahoma: As SWTP CE’s current offerings are all asynchronous, they will count only toward your self-study/on-demand hour limits (Max 15 hours in AR and Max 8 hours in OK). For now, secure your required live/interactive hours elsewhere.
Browse SWTP CEUs courses here to get started on your Central Plains state renewal. Also take a look at the Unlimited CE Pass, which brings down the cost of CEs to about as low as they can go.