LCSW renewal · California · checked August 31, 2026
A California LCSW renewal has four checkpoints—not one checklist.
For an active social worker license, confirm timing, public status, payment and continuing education separately. The shared planner handles all four without an account.
See the direct answer →36 CE hours6 law-and-ethics hours90 days earliest filing
In short
What a timely, active LCSW renewal requires.
- Wait for the window. BBS says renewal cannot begin more than 90 days before expiration.
- Complete 36 CE hours. Six must be law and ethics. The one-time suicide-risk and telehealth courses apply unless already submitted; a seven-hour HIV/AIDS course applies at first renewal.
- Pay the status-specific fee. During the temporary reduction, a timely active LCSW renewal is $120 including the separate $20 fund fee; timely inactive is $70.
- Confirm the public record. Online renewal is processed instantly; BBS says manual renewal takes about four to six weeks.
If the license is inactive or expiredInactive renewal does not require CE, but it does not authorize practice. BBS states there is no grace period after expiration. Verify status before practicing, supervising or collecting payment.
The planner does not submit to BBS, approve CE, determine a waiver or calculate an uncertain delinquent fee.
California Board of Behavioral Sciences sources
Verify the rule that controls your decision.
BBS · manage a license or registrationrenewal cycle, 90-day opening, status effects, online and manual processingBBS · continuing education36-hour total, law and ethics, waivers, providers and recordsBBS · licensee CE chart, revised May 2026license-by-license subjects and one-time coursesBBS · temporary fee reduction FAQsJuly 2026 through June 2030 base fees and the separate $20 fund feeBBS · CE information and FAQrecords, audits, dual licenses and exceptions
Checked August 31, 2026. Next scheduled review: February 1, 2027.
