Continuing Education (CE) Requirements in Washington DC for Mental Health Professionals
Stay compliant with District of Columbia CE requirements. Find your profession below for specific hour requirements, ethics mandates, and renewal deadlines.
Therapy Trainings is approved by:NBCC ACEPASWB ACENAADAC
Professional Counselors (LPC)
Licensed Professional Counselors in Washington DC
Requirement
Details
Total CE Hours
40 hours (CEUs)
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Ethics
6 hours required
Trauma Counseling
4 hours required
LGBTQ
2 hours required
Public Health Priorities
10% (4 hours) required
Licensing Board
Washington DC Board of Professional Counseling
Important Notes:
Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the Washington DC Board of Professional Counseling based on NBCC approval.
DC has specific topic requirements including ethics, trauma, LGBTQ, and public health priorities.
Social Workers (LICSW/LGSW)
Licensed Social Workers in Washington DC
Requirement
Details
Total CE Hours
40 hours
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Ethics
6 hours (must be face-to-face; no online)
LGBTQ
2 hours (can be online)
Public Health Priorities
10% (4 hours) required
Licensing Board
District of Columbia Board of Social Work
Important Notes:
Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the District of Columbia Board of Social Work based on ASWB approval.
Ethics CE must be completed face-to-face (no online courses accepted for ethics).
Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in Washington DC
Requirement
Details
Total CE Hours
30 hours
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Ethics
6 hours required
LGBTQ
2 hours required
Remaining Hours
22 hours on current/emerging MFT issues
Licensing Board
D.C. Board of Professional Counseling
Important Notes:
Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the D.C. Board of Professional Counseling based on NBCC approval.
Remaining CE should cover topics such as non-traditional families, domestic violence, HIV, aging, end-of-life issues, addiction, psychopharmacology, or trauma.
Psychologists
Licensed Psychologists in Washington DC
Requirement
Details
Total CE Hours
30 APA-approved hours
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Ethics
3 hours required
LGBTQ
2 hours required
Public Health Priorities
10% (3 hours) required
Live CE Requirement
At least 15 hours must be live program
Licensing Board
District of Columbia Board of Psychology
Important Notes:
Therapy Trainings CE is not accepted by the District of Columbia Board of Psychology at this time.
DC requires APA-approved CE for psychologists, with at least half completed in live programs.
Addiction Counselors (LAC)
Licensed Addiction Counselors in Washington DC
Requirement
Details
Total CE Hours
40 hours
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Ethics
6 hours required
Trauma Counseling
4 hours required
LGBTQ
2 hours required
Public Health Priorities
At least 10% of total CE
Licensing Board
Board of Professional Counseling in the District of Columbia
Important Notes:
Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the Board of Professional Counseling in the District of Columbia based on NAADAC approval.
DC has robust topic requirements including ethics, trauma, LGBTQ, and public health priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Washington DC accept online continuing education?
Yes, for most topics. However, Social Workers must complete ethics CE face-to-face (no online). Psychologists require at least 15 hours in live programs.
What are DC's public health priorities?
DC requires 10% of CE hours in public health priority subjects determined by the District. Check with your licensing board for current priority topics.
Why does DC require LGBTQ training?
DC mandates 2 hours of LGBTQ continuing education for all mental health professions to ensure culturally competent care for LGBTQ+ clients.
Is Therapy Trainings approved for DC psychologists?
No. DC requires APA-approved CE for psychologists, and Therapy Trainings is not currently accepted by the District of Columbia Board of Psychology. We are approved for Counselors, Social Workers, MFTs, and Addiction Counselors in DC.
Does DC require trauma training?
Yes. Counselors and Addiction Counselors in DC must complete 4 hours in trauma counseling each renewal cycle.
