Continuing Education: FAQs

By what date do I have to have earned my continuing education units (CEUs) for this licensing renewal cycle?

New: the date for CEU renewal now corresponds with the license renewal date.  So this cycle, collect all 40 CEUs by October 1, 2010.  Thereafter, all CEUs must be accumulated by October 1st of even years.

How many continuing education units do I need to accrue during a two year cycle?

In Utah, a licensed clinical social worker must complete 40 hours of continuing education for each two year cycle.

How many of my 40 continuing education hours can be from home study or online courses?

An individual may earn up to 15 hours per cycle through home study or online courses (this change was made July 8th, 2010).  No credit may be earned from reading professional journals or books.

How many continuing education units can I carry over into the next cycle?

An individual may carry over up to 10 units to the next CEU cycle.

If I get my LCSW license in the middle of a continuing education cycle, do I need to accrue the full 40 hours?

The number of hours you need to accrue is prorated from the time you received your license.  For instance, if you became licensed in June of an odd numbered year, you would need to accrue 30 of the 40 hours since you were licensed for 3/4 of the cycle.

Can I get continuing education credit for teaching a workshop?

An individual may earn up to 10 hours per renewal cycle by teaching social work continuing education workshops. 

How do I keep track of my CEU hours?

You may use any system you choose.  A suggested CEU tracking form is available by clicking here.  If you are audited, you will be required to submit documentation of attendance at workshops and conferences, proof of completion of home study or on-line courses, and outlines of continuing education classes taught.

How long do I need to keep my documentation?

You need to keep documentation for six years after the recertification cycle ends in case you are audited by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing .

What happens if I don’t meet the CEU requirement of 40 clock hours by the end of the recertification period?

You will be subject to review by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing for unprofessional conduct. 

How do I know if a workshop or conference has been approved?

Most workshop sponsors will include that information in their brochure.  The Utah Chapter NASW website lists upcoming workshops that have been reviewed and approved by the NASW Continuing Education Committee.  If you have any questions, contact the NASW office.

What if I attend a workshop or conference that has not received Utah Chapter NASW continuing education approval?

Keep the conference brochure and your certificate of attendance.  If you are audited, DOPL will decide if the conference meets the criteria for approval.

Why is NASW approval important?

If a conference or workshop has received Utah Chapter NASW approval, you can be assured that the event has met the NASW criteria for continuing education approval and that it will be approved by DOPL.  Based on the large number of agencies and organizations seeking NASW approval, such approval is very valuable to sponsors.

Who submits CEU applications?

Agencies that are sponsoring clinical conferences submit the Social Work Continuing Education Sponsorship Applications for review by NASW.

What is the deadline for submitting a workshop application?

The NASW Continuing Education Committee meets the fourth Thursday of every month, and the application is due by the week before the meeting, or the third Thursday of each month.

Why do some workshops advertise that they “meet DOPL requirements” and others advertise “approved by NASW”?

The Social Work Rules of the Mental Health Practice Act require continuing education for licensed clinical social workers, as set forth by the Utah State Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing.  The DOPL requirements spell out those continuing education activities that qualify for approval.  A workshop sponsor may choose to not apply for NASW approval and may advertise that, in the opinion of the sponsor, the workshop meets DOPL’s requirements.  It then becomes the responsibility of the LCSW to decide if he or she feels comfortable attending the workshop under those conditions.  Most workshop sponsors choose to seek NASW approval so that the participants are assured that the workshop meets the criteria for continuing education approval.  A workshop may not advertise that it has received NASW approval if it has not completed the application process.  This sometimes does happen, usually as a result of oversight or error, but most workshop sponsors are diligent about following procedures.  NASW does deal with sponsors who falsely advertise and may impose sanctions such as publishing deliberate errors in the Newsletter.

Why do some workshop classes receive NASW credit, while others do not?

The NASW Continuing Education Committee reviews workshop applications using a set of criteria that has been developed and approved by the Chapter and which is in greater detail than the DOPL requirements.  The criteria include requirements that the workshop or conference have components such as identified educational objectives with theoretical and clinical outcomes; have meaningful and current theory and practical content which increases the participant’s professional competence; have academically qualified instructors; be clearly planned and organized and deal with social work practice, professional responsibility and ethical obligation; plus many other criteria. For the complete text of the Criteria for Continuing Education activities, click here.

Sometimes a workshop is advertised for a certain number of credit hours and then the CEU certificate indicates a different number approved.  Why?

Workshops frequently advertise that they have “applied to NASW for 6 hours” or “6 hours are pending approval.”  The brochures are mailed out before the sponsor applies for or is granted NASW approval.  If the workshop is then approved for a different number of hours, it is the responsibility of the sponsor to let the registrants know.  The Continuing Education Committee attempts to work with the sponsors to rearrange their workshop hours so that full credit can be given.  We understand the frustration that situations such as this create, and NASW is often blamed for the error.

Why do some workshops refuse to give out CE certificates until the workshop is over?

The short answer is, because they are doing it right!  Participants really should not receive certificates of completion until they have completed the training, and participants have the ethical responsibility to honor that procedure.

The Law

What the Social Work Licensing Act Rules say about Continuing Education:

R156-60a-304. Continuing Education Requirements for LCSW.

In accordance with Subsection 58-60-105(1), the continuing education requirements for LCSWs are defined, clarified and established as follows:

(1) During each two year period commencing January 1st of each even numbered year, a LCSW shall be required to complete not less than 40 hours of continuing education.

(2) The required number of hours of continuing education for an individual who first becomes licensed during the two year period shall be decreased in a pro-rata amount equal to any part of that two year period preceding the date on which that individual first became licensed.

(3) Continuing education under this section shall:
(a) be relevant to the licensee's professional practice;
(b) be prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training, and experience to provide social work continuing education; and
(c) have a method of verification of attendance.

(4) Credit for continuing education shall be recognized in accordance with the following:
(a) unlimited hours shall be recognized for continuing education completed in blocks of time of not less than 50 minutes in formally established classroom courses, seminars, lectures, conferences, or training sessions which meet the criteria listed in Subsection (3) above, and which are approved by, conducted by or under sponsorship of:
(i) the National Association of Social Workers;
(ii) community mental health agencies or entities providing mental health services under the auspices of the State of Utah;
(iii) recognized universities and colleges; and
(iv) professional associations, societies and organizations representing a licensed profession whose program objectives relate to the practice of social work; and
(b) a maximum of ten hours per two year period may be recognized for teaching continuing education relevant to clinical social work or mental health therapy; and
(c) a maximum of ten hours per two year period may be recognized for continuing education that is provided via Internet or through home study which meets the criteria listed in Subsection (3) above.

(5) A licensee is responsible to complete relevant continuing education, to document completion of the continuing education, and to maintain the records of the continuing education completed for a period of four years after close of the two year period to which the records pertain.

(6) A licensee who documents he is engaged in full time activities or is subjected to circumstances which prevent that licensee from meeting the continuing education requirements established under this section may be excused from the requirement for a period of up to three years. However, it is the responsibility of the licensee to document the reasons and justify why the requirement could not be met.

(7) If more than 40 hours of continuing education is completed during the two year period specified in Subsection (1), up to ten hours of the excess over 40 hours may be carried over to the next two year period. No education received prior to a license being granted may be carried forward to apply towards the continuing education required after the license is granted.