New York State Social Worker Continuing Education
Requirements: The New York State Education Department requires each licensed master social worker (LMSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) to complete 36 contact hours (i.e. credits) of acceptable formal continuing education during each three-year registration period. There is a phase-in period for licensees whose next registration period starts during the first three years after January 1, 2015. These licensees will have to complete one hour of acceptable formal continuing education for each month in their registration period after January 1, 2015.
Note that per the Office of the State Board for Social Work, continuing education hours may be earned by completing a self-study program, provided that self-study hours do not comprise more than twelve hours in any three-year registration period or one-third of the hours for a registration period other than three years. Consult the New York State Education Department's Licensed Master Social Workers and Licensed Clinical Social Workers FAQ page for more information about your requirements.
Completing Your Recertification Requirements with PLI: Select PLI live seminars, live webcasts, and on-demands qualify for SW CE credit. To request SW CE credit for eligible programs, be sure to enter your license information on your account profile.
Practising Law Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0382.
Attendance Reporting: Licensed master social workers and licensed clinical social workers must attest to completing their continuing education requirement when re-registering for certification in New York. Licensees must retain, in their records, information regarding completed acceptable continuing education for six years from the date of completion of the coursework/educational activity.