Last updated: November 2025
Planning your continuing education across multiple states gets complicated fast. California wants 36 hours every two years. Hawaii stretches to 45 hours over three years. Alaska throws in Alaska Native cultural competency requirements. And each state has its own specific mandates for ethics, suicide prevention, or telehealth training.
You’ll find the exact requirements for each West Coast state below—what you need, when you need it, and what counts toward your total hours.
California
California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) regulates LCSW licensure and sets some of the most detailed CEU requirements on the West Coast.
Basic Requirements
36 hours every 2 years for all LCSWs, including first-time renewals (this changed in July 2023—first-time renewals previously only needed 18 hours).
6 hours must cover California law and ethics during each renewal period.
One-Time Requirements
You complete these once, ever:
Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention (6 hours): Required for all licenses renewed after January 1, 2021. The hours count toward your 36-hour total. You need this before your first renewal after that date, but only once.
Telehealth Training (3 hours): Required for all licenses renewed after July 1, 2023. Must include law and ethics specific to telehealth. Again, this is one-time only and counts toward your 36 hours.
HIV/AIDS Training: This was eliminated for clinical licenses in 2023. You don’t need to complete this for LCSW renewal anymore.
What Counts
California accepts courses from:
– ASWB ACE-approved providers (like SWTP CEUs)
– Accredited colleges and universities
– Other BBS-recognized providers
You can complete all 36 hours online. There’s no longer a limit on distance learning credits.
Associates Need Less
If you’re an ASW (Associate Clinical Social Worker), you need 3 hours of California law and ethics annually during each one-year renewal period. That’s it—just 3 hours per year while you’re working toward your clinical hours.
Renewal Timeline
Your license expires two years after issuance. You can renew up to 60 days before expiration. The BBS doesn’t send renewal reminders by mail anymore—you need to track your own expiration date.
Teaching Credits
You can earn CEUs by teaching courses, but there’s a cap: maximum 18 hours per renewal period for teaching the same course. This changed in July 2023 (it used to be unlimited).
Oregon
Oregon structures requirements by license level, with LCSWs carrying the highest burden.
By License Type
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): 40 hours every 2 years
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): 30 hours every 2 years
Registered Baccalaureate Social Worker (RBSW): 20 hours every 2 years
Required Topics
The required hours scale with your license level:
LCSW:
– 6 hours ethics
– 6 hours cultural competence
– 2 hours suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management
LMSW:
– 4 hours ethics
– 4 hours cultural competence
– 2 hours suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management
RBSW:
– 3 hours ethics
– 3 hours cultural competence
– 2 hours suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management
The required topic hours count toward your total—they’re not additional.
First Renewal Exception
Here’s a break: you don’t need any CEUs for your first renewal after initial licensure. You start accumulating hours during your second two-year period.
Carryover Option
Complete more than required? You can carry over up to 10 hours to your next renewal period. Only the excess counts—if you’re an LCSW who completes 45 hours, you can bank 5 hours toward the next cycle.
What Counts
Oregon accepts:
– ASWB ACE-approved providers
– NBCC-approved providers
– University courses in social work
– Conferences and seminars from credentialing bodies
All hours can be distance learning. Oregon doesn’t cap online education.
Study Groups
You can earn CEU credit by participating in professional study groups (5-10 mental health professionals discussing published materials). But there’s a limit: no more than half your total required hours can come from study groups, and each session maxes out at 2 hours of credit.
Washington
Washington requires the same total hours regardless of license level, but associates renew annually instead of biennially.
Basic Requirements
36 hours every 2 years for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) and Licensed Advanced Social Workers (LASW).
18 hours every year for Licensed Social Worker Associate-Advanced (LSWAA) and Licensed Social Worker Associate-Independent Clinical (LSWAIC).
Required Topics
6 hours professional ethics and law every 2 years (or 3 hours annually for associates).
6 hours suicide assessment, treatment, and management once every 6 years. The state maintains a model list of approved suicide prevention trainings—you must choose from this list. The 6 hours count toward your 36-hour total.
2 hours health equity training once every 4 years, starting January 2024. This addresses discrimination and bias in healthcare systems.
First-Time Associates
If you’re a licensed associate (LSWAA or LSWAIC), you complete 6 hours of suicide assessment, treatment, and management after initial licensure and before your first renewal. This is separate from the 6-year requirement that kicks in later.
What Counts
Washington accepts courses from:
– Industry-recognized organizations at local, state, national, or international levels
– ASWB ACE-approved providers
– NBCC-approved providers
– Accredited institutions of higher learning
You can complete all hours online. Distance learning restrictions were removed during the pandemic and haven’t been reinstated.
Teaching Credits
You earn the same CEU hours as attendees when you prepare and present education that contributes to professional competence. The credits count toward your total just like taking a course would.
Alaska
Alaska requires more total hours than any other West Coast state and has the most detailed cultural competency mandates.
Basic Requirements
45 hours every 2 years for all license levels (LBSW, LMSW, LCSW).
Required Topics: First Renewal
Your first renewal has different requirements than subsequent ones:
- 6 hours Alaska Native cross-cultural studies
- 6 hours substance abuse training
- 3 hours professional ethics
- 3 hours teletherapy practice
- 3 hours suicide education
That’s 21 hours of specific content, leaving 24 hours for general topics.
Required Topics: Subsequent Renewals
After your first renewal:
- 6 hours cross-cultural education (3 hours must relate to Alaska Natives)
- 6 hours substance abuse education
- 3 hours professional ethics
- 3 hours teletherapy practice
- 3 hours suicide education
Notice the change? After the first renewal, you only need 3 of your 6 cultural competency hours to focus specifically on Alaska Native populations. The other 3 can cover any cross-cultural content.
Daily Limit
Alaska caps how many hours you can earn in one day: maximum 12 contact hours. Plan your marathon conference days accordingly—you can only claim half a day’s worth even if you attend 8 hours of programming.
What Counts
Alaska accepts:
– ASWB ACE-approved providers
– University courses related to social work
– Conferences and seminars from recognized professional organizations
– In-service agency programs (up to half your total hours)
All 45 hours can be completed through home study (online courses).
Audit Process
Alaska randomly audits licensees for CEU compliance. Keep your certificates. If selected, you’ll have 60 days to submit proof of completion. The state doesn’t accept “I lost it”—maintain your own records throughout the renewal period.
Renewal Timeline
Licenses renew biennially by June 30 of even-numbered years (2026, 2028, etc.). The renewal fee is steep at $410, so plan accordingly.
Hawaii
Hawaii operates on the longest renewal cycle of any West Coast state—giving you three full years to accumulate hours.
Basic Requirements
45 hours every 3 years for all license levels (LBSW, LSW, LCSW).
3 hours must cover ethics during each renewal period.
That’s it. Hawaii keeps it simple compared to other West Coast states. No suicide prevention mandate, no cultural competency requirement, no teletherapy training. Just 45 hours total with 3 in ethics.
First Renewal Exception
First-time licensees are exempt from CEU requirements for their first renewal. You start accumulating hours during your second three-year period.
What Counts
Hawaii accepts courses approved by:
– National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
– Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
If it’s ASWB ACE-approved, it works in Hawaii. All 45 hours can be completed online.
Renewal Timeline
All licenses renew triennially by June 30 every three years. The next renewal dates are June 30, 2025, then 2028, 2031.
Renewal fees vary by license:
– LCSW: $270
– LSW: $222 (active) or $12 (inactive)
– LBSW: $177 (active) or $12 (inactive)
Audit Process
Like Alaska, Hawaii randomly audits for compliance. Selected licensees receive notice and have 60 days to submit documentation. Don’t submit certificates with your renewal application—just keep them in your own files unless audited.
Quick Reference: West Coast Comparison
| State | Total Hours | Cycle | Ethics Required | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 36 | 2 years | 6 hours CA law & ethics | Suicide prevention (6 hrs, one-time); Telehealth (3 hrs, one-time) |
| Oregon LCSW | 40 | 2 years | 6 hours | Cultural competence (6 hrs); Suicide (2 hrs) |
| Oregon LMSW | 30 | 2 years | 4 hours | Cultural competence (4 hrs); Suicide (2 hrs) |
| Oregon RBSW | 20 | 2 years | 3 hours | Cultural competence (3 hrs); Suicide (2 hrs) |
| Washington | 36 | 2 years | 6 hours ethics & law | Suicide (6 hrs every 6 yrs); Health equity (2 hrs every 4 yrs) |
| Alaska | 45 | 2 years | 3 hours | Substance abuse (6 hrs); Cross-cultural/AK Native (6 hrs); Teletherapy (3 hrs); Suicide (3 hrs) |
| Hawaii | 45 | 3 years | 3 hours | None |
Multi-State Considerations
If you hold licenses in multiple West Coast states, you’re probably looking for courses that satisfy requirements across jurisdictions. Here’s what overlaps:
Ethics courses count everywhere, though California requires California-specific law and ethics content.
Suicide prevention training works in California (one-time), Oregon (ongoing), and Washington (every 6 years), but Alaska requires Alaska-specific suicide education content.
Cultural competency meets Oregon requirements but won’t satisfy Alaska’s Alaska Native-specific mandate.
When choosing courses, check the ASWB ACE approval. All five West Coast states accept ASWB ACE providers, so an ACE-approved course works in any combination of states. You’ll still need to track state-specific mandates separately, but at least the general hours transfer.
Where SWTP CEUs Fits
SWTP CEUs is an ASWB ACE-approved provider (#2486), which means our courses count in all five West Coast states. You’ll find:
Ethics courses that work across all states (though you’ll need California-specific content for BBS law and ethics requirements)
Clinical skills training (DBT, CBT, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing) that applies to your general hour requirements
Documentation and boundaries content that satisfies ethics mandates in Hawaii and Alaska
Specialized population courses that meet cultural competency needs in Oregon
The $59 annual unlimited subscription makes multi-state compliance manageable—complete all your required hours across multiple licenses without paying per-course fees.
State-specific mandates like Alaska Native cultural competency or California law and ethics will require targeted courses from other providers, but we cover the bulk of your general clinical education needs.
Staying Compliant: Practical Tips
Track your own deadlines. Most states don’t send renewal reminders anymore. Set calendar alerts for 60-90 days before expiration so you have time to complete any remaining hours.
Keep every certificate. Random audits happen in Alaska and Hawaii. Even if your state doesn’t audit, having documentation readily available makes renewals smoother.
Knock out one-time requirements early. Don’t wait until your second renewal to complete California’s suicide prevention training or Washington’s health equity course. Get them done in your first cycle so they don’t sneak up on you later.
Front-load your hours. Life gets busy. Conferences get canceled. Completing 60-70% of your required hours in the first year of your renewal cycle gives you buffer room if something comes up.
Use one provider when possible. Working with ASWB ACE-approved providers means your certificates automatically satisfy regulatory requirements across multiple states. You’re not hunting down approval numbers or checking individual course acceptance.
Questions About West Coast CEU Requirements?
The information here comes directly from each state’s licensing board as of November 2025. Requirements change, though—always verify current mandates with your state board before your renewal deadline:
- California BBS: (916) 574-7830 | bbs.ca.gov
- Oregon BLSW: (503) 378-5735 | oregon.gov/blsw
- Washington DOH: (360) 236-4700 | doh.wa.gov
- Alaska BSWE: (907) 465-2550 | commerce.alaska.gov
- Hawaii PVL: (808) 586-3000 | cca.hawaii.gov/pvl
Got licenses in other regions? We’re covering the Southwest, Midwest, South, and Northeast in separate guides. Each region has its own quirks and requirements worth knowing about.
SWTP CEUs is an ASWB ACE-approved provider (#2486) offering clinical continuing education designed by social workers, for social workers. All courses satisfy general CEU requirements across the United States, with specific mandates varying by state.