Continuing education (CE) requirements for social workers in the Ohio Valley region—Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia—are highly complex, often featuring mandates that vary by license type, specific rolling requirements, and strict rules regarding annual vs. biennial credit accumulation.
Tennessee, in particular, requires annual CE reporting, while Kentucky has multi-year rolling mandates for suicide prevention and abusive head trauma. West Virginia and Indiana enforce strict requirements on live/synchronous training and the distribution of hours.
Note: While we strive for accuracy, requirements are subject to change. Always check with your state board for the most current rules, renewal deadlines, and approved course formats before purchasing or completing courses.
Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of current requirements:
Indiana
Indiana operates on a biennial cycle but requires CE hours to be distributed annually.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours | 40 hours every 2 years (20 hours required annually) |
| Required Topics | 2 hours in ethics education (total at renewal, 1 hour per year) |
| 2 hours in supervision (for LCSWs who supervise) | |
| Online/Distance | A minimum of 50% (20 hours) must be Category I (Formally Organized), which includes home study and online courses. The remaining hours can be Category II (Self-Directed, like journal reading). |
| What Counts | ASWB ACE-approved providers are accepted for Category I credit. |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 2 years, by March 31st of even-numbered years. |
| Board Contact | Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (Behavioral Health Board) in.gov/pla/professions/behavioral-health-and-human-services/ |
Kentucky
Kentucky uses a triennial (three-year) cycle with distinct total hours for license levels and specific rotating mandates.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours (CSW/LCSW) | 30 hours every 3 years |
| Total Hours (LSW) | 15 hours every 3 years |
| Required Topics | 3 hours in ethics (must be a Kentucky Board-approved course) |
| 6 hours in Suicide Prevention (every 6 years) | |
| 1.5 hours in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (every 6 years) | |
| Special Note | 3 hours in Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse is a one-time requirement after initial licensure. |
| Online/Distance | LCSW/CSW may complete up to 27 hours online; LSW may complete up to 12 hours online (ASWB ACE courses count as online/self-study). |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 3 years (date varies based on initial issuance). |
| Board Contact | Kentucky Board of Social Work bsw.ky.gov |
Ohio
Ohio has a biennial cycle with a mandatory ethics component, but no restrictions on online or distance learning format.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours (LSW/LISW) | 30 hours every 2 years |
| Total Hours (SWA) | 15 hours every 2 years |
| Required Topics | 3 hours in ethics |
| 3 hours in supervision (for LISW-S who hold the Supervisor designation only) | |
| Online/Distance | No limit on format. All hours may be completed through distance learning (live webinars or recorded courses). |
| What Counts | ASWB ACE-approved providers, NASW, and Ohio CSWMFT Board-approved providers. |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 2 years (date varies based on license issue date). |
| Board Contact | Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board cswmft.ohio.gov |
Tennessee
Tennessee requires annual accrual and reporting of CE hours, with a high ethics mandate and mandatory training on state rules.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours (LCSW/LAPSW) | 30 hours every 2 years (15 hours per year) |
| Total Hours (LMSW) | 24 hours every 2 years (12 hours per year) |
| Total Hours (LBSW) | 18 hours every 2 years (9 hours per year) |
| Required Topics | 6 hours in ethics every 2 years |
| 1 hour specific to the Tennessee Code and Board Rules every 2 years | |
| 2 hours in Suicide Prevention (once every 4 years) | |
| Online/Distance | A maximum of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the required credit hours may be earned via multimedia courses (distance learning) over the two-year period. |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 2 years (based on license issue date). |
| Board Contact | Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/sw-board/sw-board/licensure.html |
West Virginia
West Virginia has a strict requirement that mandates synchronous (live) training hours, in addition to specific veteran mental health topics.
| Basic Requirements | Details |
| Total Hours | 30 hours every 2 years |
| Required Topics | 2 hours in mental health conditions specific to veterans and their families |
| 1 hour in social work ethics | |
| Online/Distance | At least 10 hours must be synchronous (face-to-face or live virtual training with real-time interaction). |
| A maximum of 10 hours may be earned through asynchronous (self-paced/recorded) online coursework (Category I). | |
| A maximum of 10 hours may be earned through Independent Professional Activities (Category II). | |
| What Counts | ASWB ACE-approved providers are accepted. |
| Renewal Timeline | Every 2 years (by license date of issuance). |
| Board Contact | West Virginia Board of Social Work wvsocialworkboard.org |
Quick Reference: State Comparison
| State | Total | Cycle | Ethics | Special/Rotating Mandates | Online/Live Format Limit |
| IN | 40 | Biennial | 2 hrs (1 hr/yr) | 2 hrs Supervision (LCSW Supervisors) | Min 50% Category I (Formally Organized) |
| KY | 15/30 (3 yrs) | Triennial | 3 hrs | 6 hrs Suicide (6 yrs); 1.5 hrs Head Trauma (6 yrs) | Max 12/27 hrs Self-Study (License level varies) |
| OH | 15/30 | Biennial | 3 hrs | 3 hrs Supervision (LISW-S) | No limit on format (accepts all online) |
| TN | 18-30 | Biennial | 6 hrs | 1 hr TN Rules; 2 hrs Suicide (4 yrs) | Max 2/3rds (approx. 66%) via Multimedia/Online |
| WV | 30 | Biennial | 1 hr | 2 hrs Veteran Mental Health | Min 10 hrs Synchronous (Live); Max 10 hrs Asynchronous |
Staying Compliant: Practical Tips
- Mind the Annual Rule: Both Indiana (20 hours/year) and Tennessee (varies by license, reported annually) require licensees to earn and track credits every calendar year, even though the renewal is biennial.
- The “Live” Requirement: If you practice in West Virginia, prioritize finding synchronous (live, real-time) courses immediately to meet the 10-hour minimum.
- Kentucky’s 6-Year Cycle: In Kentucky, don’t wait for your renewal to complete the Suicide Prevention and Head Trauma courses, as they are on a 6-year rolling mandate.
- Ethics Source: Kentucky ethics courses must often be specific to the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct and approved by the Kentucky Board, making some general ethics courses insufficient.
- Use ACE Providers: ASWB ACE-approved courses are generally accepted in all five states, but always check if they are accepted for the special mandates (like KY Ethics).
Where SWTP CEUs Fits
SWTP CEUs is an ASWB ACE-approved provider (#2486) that offers self-paced, on-demand courses (asynchronous).
- Ohio: All SWTP CE courses count toward your requirements, as this state allows all hours to be completed via distance learning.
- Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee: SWTP courses count toward your total hours but are subject to the state’s percentage limits for non-live/self-study credit (e.g., TN’s max 2/3rds, IN’s max 50% Category II, KY’s max 12/27 hours online).
- West Virginia: SWTP CE courses count only toward your maximum 10 hours of asynchronous (self-paced) credit. You must secure the remaining 10 synchronous hours elsewhere.
Browse SWTP CEUs courses here to get started on your Ohio Valley state renewal. Also take a look at the low-price, year-long Unlimited CE Pass.