How To Determine Which CEUs You Need As A Therapist

Determining how to know what CEUs you need to take each licensure renewal period in your state is a key component of maintaining your status as a licensed therapist. Read on to learn more about CEUs, why they matter, and how to figure out which ones you need to renew your license. 

What are CEUs? 

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are a nationally recognized measure used in continuing education programs, particularly for professionals who require ongoing learning to maintain their license or certification, like doctors, registered nurses, or therapists. A CEU typically represents a set number of hours of participation in a recognized continuing education provider program, with one CEU equating to a specific number of hours of continuing education. Generally, one CEU represents 10 contact hours of continuing education. 

For example, nursing professionals must adhere to standards like those established in the Ohio Nurse Practice Act and maintain an active nursing practice for the RN license renewal. Similarly, doctors must complete board-approved refresher courses for their CEUs to ensure they stay on top of the latest standards. The same is true for therapists.  

The importance of CEUs for therapists and counselors 

Just as advanced practice registered nurses and those certified by the American Nursing Credentialing Center need ongoing education to stay current in their field and keep their nursing practice open, therapists must complete CEUs to ensure their practices reflect the latest advancements in mental health care. 

Continuing education courses are vital for therapists for several reasons. For one, they're often required to maintain professional licensure. Most licensing boards require a certain number of CEUs before the renewal period has passed. 

CEUs also play a pivotal role in a therapist's professional development. The field of therapy is continually evolving, with new research and best practices emerging regularly. By engaging in CEUs, therapists can stay informed about the latest developments. Additionally, CEUs provide opportunities for therapists to specialize or gain knowledge in specific areas. For example, a therapist might choose CEUs focusing on trauma-informed care, group therapy, or somatic therapy. This specialization enables them to offer more tailored services to their clients. 

Options for continuing education credits for therapists 

Therapists have several options for CEUs to maintain their licensure and stay updated in their field. Some options include: 

• The American Counseling Association (ACA) The ACA offers a range of online professional development programs where therapists can earn their CEUs. These include diverse formats like video-based courses, education sessions, and webinars. 
• SAMHSA with over 300 free courses, SAMHSA offers CE resources specifically related to substance misuse. 
• PESI This site provides online learning opportunities through webinars, courses, seminars, books, and more. 

EachIt's important to note that your state has its own specific requirements for CEUs. To find approved continuing education providers for your state, the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) provides a state search on their website. 

How to find the CEUs required by your state 

To find the CEUs required by your state, you can follow a few steps: 

1. Check state licensing board websites: Each state has specific CEU requirements for mental health professionals. This is where you can find the best place to check for the most accurate, up-to-date information.  
2. Search CE providers: Many CE providers provide state-specific accreditation and approval information. They often have sections on their websites where you can select your state and see the relevant CE requirements. 
3. Look for CE courses approved by important licensing agencies: Check for CE courses that are approved by agencies like the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB), and the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). 
4. Talk to mentors or colleagues: While your mentors and colleagues may not have the most up-to-date information, they likely have insight on where to look and the basic requirements for your state. 

It's important to note that CE requirements can vary significantly from state to state, so it's crucial to check the most current information with your state's licensing board or through trusted professional organizations. 

CEU requirements by state 

Below is a summary of each state's CE requirements for counselors and psychologists. However, remember that you should always defer to your state licensing board for the most accurate and up-to-date information. 

Alabama

Alabama requires 20 hours every year. Six hours of CE can be carried over each year. All programs must be APA-equivalent or APA, and there are no mentioned limits for online learning. For more information on Alabama's requirements, check here. 

Alaska

Alaska requires 20 CE hours each year, three of which must be on ethics. Courses must be approved by a national mental health organization, like the APA. For more information on Alaska's requirements, visit here. 

Arizona

For Arizona, you'll need 60 hours every two years. 

• 40 must come from Category 1 (including four hours of child abuse or domestic violence and four hours in ethics) and must be from a state-sponsored, APA, or otherwise accredited program. 
• 20 must come from Category 2

Check out the Arizona Board of Psychological Examiners for more information. 

Arkansas

Arkansas has the same requirements as Alaska. You must complete 20 hours each year, three of which must be in ethics. Courses must be approved by a national mental health organization. For more information, check out the Arkansas Psychology Board.  

California 

In California, you're required to complete 36 hours every two years. The CEIt must include training on California rules and laws. Independent learning may only account for 75% of the total (27 hours). The programs must be CMA, APA, CA Psych Association, or ACCMA. For more information, visit the California Board of Psychology. 

Colorado 

In Colorado, you must complete 40 hours every two years. For more information, visit the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners. 

Connecticut 

Connecticut requires 10 hours each year. Programs must meet minimum criteria; only five hours can come from online education. For more information, visit the Connecticut Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

Delaware 

In Delaware, you're required to complete 50 hours every two years. Three of those hours must be ethics. Renewals occur on odd years, and APA sponsorships or renewals are accepted. For more information, check out the Delaware Board of Examiners of Psychologists. 

District of Columbia 

The District of Columbia requires 30 contact hours every two years. University-based programs and APA-sponsored programs are preapproved, but others must be approved by the board. Only 15 hours of the CEUs can come from online education. For more information, view the District of Columbia Board of Psychology website. 

Florida 

Florida requires 40 hours every two years, including three hours of ethics and Florida law and two hours of medical errors. Two hours of domestic violence education is required once every six years. You can view the Florida Board of Psychology for more information. 

Georgia 

Georgia requires 40 hours every two years. Six hours must be on ethics at a workshop you "personally attended." There's a maximum of 16 hours of online education allowed. For more information, visit the Georgia Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

Hawaii 

Hawaii requires 18 hours every two years on even years. Programs must be approved by the State Psychological Association or the APA. For more information, visit the Hawaii Board of Psychology.

Idaho 

In Idaho, you must complete 20 hours each year. Four of those hours must be on standards of care, ethics, and/or rules and laws every three years. Each year, you can carry over up to 20 hours of CE. There's a limit of 10 hours for online education and six hours for self-study. For more information, visit here. 

Illinois

In Illinois, you must complete 24 hours every two years, and three of those hours must be in ethics. Up to 18 of those hours can be completed online. Get more information on Illinois's requirements here.

Indiana 

Indiana requires 40 hours every two years. Up to 10 hours can come from home study programs. Get more information on Indiana's requirements here. 

Iowa 

Like many others, Iowa requires 40 hours every two years. Six of those hours must come from ethics. Renewals occur in even years. For more information on Iowa's requirements, visit the Iowa Board of Psychology. 

Kansas

Kansas requires 50 hours of CE every two years. Six of those hours need to be on diagnosis and treatment, and three need to be on ethics. Renewals occur every even year on June 30th. Up to 40 hours can be self-study. For more information, visit the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. 

Kentucky

Kentucky requires 39 hours every three years, of which three must cover risk management or ethics. Programs must be offered or approved by a regional, state, or national psychology association or state psychology board. For more information, view the Kentucky State Board of Examiners of Psychology.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, you need to complete 30 hours every two years, two of which must be forensics or ethics. Renewals occur on July 1st on even years for even licenses and odd years for odd licenses. For more information, view the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. 

Maine

In Maine, you must complete 40 hours every two years, three of which must be in ethics. If you're performing supervision, three hours must also be in supervision. For more information on the requirements in Maine, visit here.  

Maryland 

Psychologists in Maryland must complete 40 hours every two years, three of which must be in risk management, laws, or ethics. Up to 20 hours can be independent study. For more information, visit the Maryland Board of Examiners of Psychologists. 

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, the requirement is 20 hours every two years. For more information, visit the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists. 

Michigan

Michigan doesn't require any CEUs. For more information, visit the Michigan Board of Psychology page.

Minnesota

Minnesota requires 40 hours every two years. For more information, visit the Minnesota Board of Psychology.

Mississippi

Mississippi requires 20 hours every two years, two of which need to come from legal issues or ethics. Renewals occur on odd years, and programs must be approved by the APA. For more information, visit the Mississippi Board of Psychology website. 

Missouri

Missouri requires 40 hours every two years, with up to 20 hours of home study accepted. For more information, visit the Missouri Committee of Psychologists. 

Montana 

Like many other states, Montana requires 40 hours every two years. For more information on requirements, visit the Montana Board of Psychologists. 

Nebraska

Nebraska requires 24 hours every two years (ending January 1st on odd years). For more information, refer to the Nebraska Board of Examiners of Psychologists. 

Nevada

Nevada also requires 24 hours every two years, due by January 1st on odd years. For more information, view the Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners. 

New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, you must complete 40 hours every two years. 

• 30 hours in Category A (including three hours of ethics). The programs must be accredited by a professional association, like the APA. 
• No more than 10 from Category B

Additionally, a maximum of 20 hours of home study are allowed. For more information, visit the New Hampshire state website. 

New Jersey 

New Jersey requires 40 hours of CE every two years. Check out the New Jersey State Board of Psychological Examiners for more information.

New Mexico

In New Mexico, you're required to complete 40 hours every two years. 

• 15 hours must be from Category 1 (four hours must be related to cultural diversity and five hours in ethics) 
• For unrestricted and conditional prescribing, the board requires 60 hours of CPE every two years (40 must be in psychopharmacology). 
• A maximum of 11 hours can be completed online.

For more information, visit the New Mexico Board of Psychologist Examiners. 

New York 

New York requires 36 hours every three years, with up to 12 hours of home study accepted. For more information, visit here. 

North Carolina

North Carolina requires 18 hours every two years, three of which must be in legal issues and ethics. At least nine hours must be from Category A. For complete details on North Carolina's requirements, visit the North Carolina Psychology Board website.

North Dakota

North Dakota requires 30-40 hours every two years, three of which must be in supervision. The programs must be approved by accepted associations and boards. Up to 20 hours can be via online education. For more information, visit the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners. 

Ohio

Ohio requires 23 hours every two years. Four of the required hours must come from cultural identity, professional conduct, or ethics. Renewals happen on even years, and programs must be accredited by APA or another approved association. For more information, visit the Ohio Board of Psychology.  

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, you're required to complete 20 hours every year, with up to 10 hours of home study allowed. For more information, visit the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure.

Oregon

In Oregon, psychologists must complete 40 hours every two years, four of which must be in Oregon State laws and rules or ethics. You must also take seven hours of pain management at least once in your career. Visit Oregon's Board of Psychology for more information.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires 30 hours every two years. Up to 10 hours can be carried over annually, and three hours must be in ethics. Up to 15 hours of home study is allowed. You can get more information on Pennsylvania's State Board of Psychology page. 

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, you're required to complete 40 hours every two years, with up to 20 hours of home study allowed. For more information, visit the Rhode Island Department of Health website.

South Carolina

South Carolina requires 24 hours every two years. At least 12 hours must come from Category A. For more information, visit the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology. 

South Dakota

South Dakota requires 40 hours every two years on odd years with at least four hours of ethics. For more information, visit the South Dakota Department of Social Services website. 

Tennessee

Tennessee requires 10 hours each year (two of which need to be in ethics). For more information, visit the Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists.

Texas

Texas requires 20 hours every year, three of which must be over the Board Rule of Conduct, personal responsibility, or ethics. Additionally, you must complete three hours in cultural diversity. For more information, visit the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

Utah

Utah requires 48 hours every two years, six of which must come from law or ethics. Up to six hours of clinical reading and 18 hours of online education are allowed. For more details on the requirements in Utah, visit the Division of Professional Licensing portion of the state's website. 

Vermont

Vermont requires 60 hours of CE every two years. Six hours must be in ethics, and you can spend no more than 30 hours on a single subject. No more than 24 hours can be spent on individual activities (including online learning). Learn more on Vermont's website.

Virginia

Virginia requires 14 hours each year, including one and a half hours in standards of practice, ethics, or laws. You must earn at least six hours via face-to-face instruction. For the full requirements, visit Virginia's Board of Psychology page. 

Washington

In Washington, you're required to have 60 hours of CEs every three years. Four of those hours must be in ethics. For more information, visit Washington's State Department of Health website. 

West Virginia

West Virginia requires 20 hours every two years, three of which must come from ethics. Two hours must be related to mental health issues related to veterans and their family members. To learn more, visit the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists. 

Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires its psychologists to get 40 hours every two years on odd years. For more details on specific requirements, visit the Department of Safety and Professional Services website.

Wyoming 

Wyoming requires 45 hours every two years. For complete information on Wyoming's requirements, visit Wyoming's Mental Health Professional Licensing Board Website. 

Get insight from a licensed therapist 

If you're overwhelmed about getting your CEUs or aren't sure which ones are right for your goals, consider meeting with a licensed counselor. In therapy, you can talk about your professional goals, stress, and other aspects of your professional life without judgment from someone who understands what you're going through. 

If you're too busy balancing your own patient load to attend a therapy appointment, consider online therapy. With online therapy, you can find a time that works best for you and attend sessions from the comfort of your home (or wherever you have internet). 

Research shows that online therapy is effective at preventing burnout in healthcare workers, making it potentially beneficial for therapists working through the stress of balancing patients and continuing education.