Continuing Education (CE) Requirements in Alabama for Mental Health Professionals

Stay compliant with Alabama CE requirements. Find your profession below for specific hour requirements, ethics mandates, and renewal deadlines.

This page is part of our 50-state CE requirements library. View CE requirements for all states.

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Therapy Trainings is approved by: NBCC ACEP ASWB ACE NAADAC

Professional Counselors (LPC/ALC)

Licensed Professional Counselors and Associate Licensed Counselors in Alabama

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours (LPC) 40 hours every 2 years
Total CE Hours (ALC) 10 hours annually
Ethics (LPC) 6 credits in counseling ethics
Supervision (LPC) Minimum 6 hours related to supervision
Ethics (ALC) 2 CE credits
Live vs. Asynchronous 75% live, 25% asynchronous
Renewal Deadline July 31 (biennially)
Licensing Board Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling based on NBCC approval.
  • LPCs must complete 6 credits specifically in counseling ethics.
  • LPCs must complete a minimum of 6 hours related to supervision.
  • Only 25% of your CE hours can be asynchronous - plan for live training.
  • ALCs have annual requirements, not biennial like LPCs.

Social Workers (LSW/LCSW)

Licensed Social Workers and Licensed Clinical Social Workers in Alabama

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 30 hours every 2 years
Ethics 3 hours
Clinical Hours (LCSW) 3 hours in clinical
Supervision Hours 3 contact hours
Self-Directed Learning Maximum 20 contact hours
Child Abuse Training One-time requirement (AL Law 26-14-3)
Licensing Board Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners based on ASWB approval.
  • Clinical designation holders must also have 3 hours in clinical content.
  • Self-directed learning projects (max 20 hours) must be documented with a paper or annotated bibliography.
  • Don't forget the mandatory one-time Child Abuse and Neglect Report training.
  • Effective Jan 2024: 6 hours in clinical SW education (3 must be DSM review).

Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in Alabama

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 40 contact hours every 2 years
Clinical MFT Workshops 10 hours required
Professional Issues & Ethics 6 hours required
Diagnosis & Treatment 6 hours required
Supervisor Requirement 5 hours (LMFT supervisors only)
Licensing Board Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy based on NBCC approval.
  • 10 hours must be clinical MFT workshops.
  • 6 hours must be in professional issues and ethics.
  • Ensure you meet all category-specific hour requirements, not just the total.
  • Supervisors have additional 5-hour CE requirements in the supervision content area.

Psychologists

Licensed Psychologists and Psychological Technicians in Alabama

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours (Psychologists) 20 hours annually
Total CE Hours (Technicians) 10 hours annually
Specific Topic Requirements None required
Licensing Board Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology based on NBCC approval.
  • Alabama does not have any specific topics or courses required during a renewal cycle.
  • Psychologists are free to choose any combination of courses.

Addiction Counselors

Addiction Counselors in Alabama

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 20 hours annually
Ethics 6 hours
HIV/AIDS Training 4 hours (counselor specific)
Distance Learning Maximum 10 hours
Monthly Accrual 0.83 contact hours per month
Licensing Board Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors based on NAADAC approval.
  • 6 hours must be in ethics.
  • Only 10 hours maximum can be earned through distance learning.
  • Don't forget the mandatory 4 hours of HIV/AIDS specific training.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to renew my license in Alabama?

Renewal periods vary by profession. LPCs renew biennially on July 31. Psychologists and Addiction Counselors have annual requirements. Social Workers and MFTs renew every 2 years. Check with your specific licensing board for exact deadlines.

Can I complete all my CE hours online in Alabama?

This depends on your profession. For Counselors, only 25% of CE can be asynchronous (online/self-paced), with 75% needing to be live. Addiction Counselors can earn a maximum of 10 hours through distance learning. Social Workers can use up to 20 hours of self-directed learning.

What is the Child Abuse and Neglect Report training requirement?

Social Workers in Alabama must complete a mandatory Child Abuse and Neglect Report training as required by Alabama Law 26-14-3 for licensure. This is a one-time requirement, not a recurring CE requirement.

What are the new DSM requirements for clinical social workers?

Effective January 1, 2024, clinical social workers in Alabama are required to complete 6 hours in clinical social work education every two years, of which 3 hours must be a comprehensive review of the current DSM.

Do LMFTs have specific category requirements?

Yes, of the 40 required hours: 10 hours must be clinical MFT workshops, 6 hours must be in professional issues and ethics, and 6 hours must be in diagnosis and treatment. LMFT supervisors must also complete 5 hours in supervision content.

What are the HIV/AIDS training requirements for addiction counselors?

Addiction Counselors in Alabama must complete 4 hours of counselor-specific HIV/AIDS training as part of their 20 annual CE hours. This is in addition to the 6 hours of ethics training required.

Official Sources

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Last updated: January 2026