Continuing Education (CE) for Colorado Social Workers

CE requirements for CO social workers (LCSW, LSW):

• 40 PDH (professional development hours) every 2 years
• “Coursework” provided by an accredited educational institution or a nationally or
  regionally recognized professional organization as a single Professional Development
  Activity may be credited hour-for-hour for up to the full 40-hour PDH requirement
  each license period.
• Other than “Coursework,” no more than 20 PDH may be completed in a single PDA
  category during a two-year license period.
• A maximum of five PDH can be carried from the last license period to the next if the
  hours were earned within six months of the license expiration date and are more than
  the required 40 hours.

Professional development hours (PDH) must be directly relevant to competence in the social work field. Activities should provide new knowledge, skills, or attitudes and sharpen or expand existing skills in professional practice, communication and critical thinking, ethics, cultural competence, professional relationships, professional identity, and professional knowledge.

Professional development activities (PDA)  include: Volunteer Service, Consultation, Supervision, Presenting, Coursework, Publication, Independent Learning. No more than 20 PDH can be credited in a single PDA category during a 2-year renewal cycle. For example, a professional can earn 20 hours in coursework and 20 hours in independent learning to fulfill the requirement.

CE Approvals

The Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners does not approve courses, they require that coursework must be provided by an accredited educational institution or a nationally- or regionally-recognized professional organization. Coursework should expand or refine your professional skill and experience.

At Health, LLC, Provider #1707, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. At Health, LLC, maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 5/3/2023-5/3/2026.

At Health, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6949. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. At Health, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

CO social workers can earn their professional development hours online through athealth.com.

View the course catalog

State laws can change. Practitioners are responsible for determining their state’s licensure requirements. To view the Colorado continuing education regulations, click the button below.

CE Requirements for Colorado Social Workers

Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Apr 18, 2025.

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