Does Washington Still Require 36 CE Hours for Therapists?

No. Since October 1, 2025, fully licensed Washington LMHCs, LMFTs, LASWs and LICSWs need 32 hours of continuing education every two years (WAC 246-809-630, amended by WSR 25-11-019). Associates need 16 hours a year, down from 18. Thirty-six hours is still the pre-licensure requirement, which is why the old number keeps circulating.

Why you still see 36

Two reasons. First, several national CE provider sites still publish the superseded renewal figure. Second, 36 hours, including six in professional law and ethics, remains what an applicant must complete before the Department of Health issues a full license. Both numbers are real; they describe different things.

What the 32 hours include

The specialty requirements count toward your 32, not on top of it:

• 6 hours of professional ethics and law every two years
• 2 hours of professional roles and boundaries every two years, separate from ethics
• 2 hours of health equity every four years (WAC 246-12-830)
• 6 hours of suicide assessment, treatment, and management every six years, from the DOH model list

See the full breakdown in our Washington CE requirements guide, and find upcoming live trainings on our training calendar. This post is informational; confirm your own requirements with the Department of Health before you renew.