California LCSW CE Requirements (2026): Verification Checklist + Tracking Workflow

If you’re an LCSW (or ASW) in California, you don’t just need “enough hours.” You need:

• The right hours in the right categories
• Proof (certificates/transcripts) you can produce quickly
• A system that keeps your renewal window clean and consistent

This guide focuses on how to verify the latest official requirements and how to track your CEUs in an audit-ready way.

Quick answer (what to do today)

1. Verify the official requirement page(s) for your credential and current renewal cycle.
2. Set your renewal window in your tracker (start/end dates).
3. Log every CE activity + attach the certificate immediately.
4. Track category buckets separately (don’t rely on “total hours” only).
5. Export a renewal/audit packet periodically to ensure your documentation is complete.

Step 1: Verify the official California requirements

Requirements can change. The fastest safe path is to verify directly with the regulator and document what you found.

• Use the verification checklist: Verify California CE requirements

That page includes official resources and a repeatable “what to screenshot/save” workflow so you can show how you verified requirements if you’re ever questioned.

Step 2: Follow an audit-ready tracking workflow

Use this credential-specific workflow as your baseline:

• California LCSW tracking playbook

What to store for every CE activity

For each course/training, store:

• Completion certificate or transcript
• Course title + provider name
• Completion date
• Hours/credits
• Delivery format (online/live/in-person if relevant)
• Category mapping (ethics, supervision, specialty topic, etc.)

The category mapping is where most compliance “surprises” happen late in the cycle.

Step 3: Avoid the 3 most common failure modes

1) Wrong renewal window

Logging hours outside the renewal period can create stressful end-of-cycle gaps. Set the renewal dates first.

2) Missing certificates

If it’s not documented, it effectively didn’t happen during an audit. Upload evidence as soon as you finish a course.

3) Category shortfalls

Many professionals discover late that a required category is short (even if totals look fine). Track totals and categories separately from day one.

How Continuing Education Tracking App helps California LCSWs

Continuing Education Tracking App is built for license renewals and audits:

• Category-aware tracking (totals + buckets)
• Certificate storage tied to the right renewal period
• One-click exports for renewal/audit documentation
• Multi-license / multi-state tracking if you practice across states

If you want a fast start, use the playbook and then begin tracking:

• Playbook: California LCSW tracking playbook
• Start tracking:
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