License Renewal Information
Apply for License Exam Prep Workshop PA State Board
License Cycle, Renewal and CE Requirements (Pennsylvania)
PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors licensees must renew their license on a biennial cycle using the PALS system (PALS link). The renewal link from the PA State Board will be open in January 2025. It takes at least 3 days for licensure to go through, plan accordingly.
Current Licensure Cycle - March 1, 2023 - February 28, 2025
Next License Cycle: March 1, 2025 - February 28, 2027
Renewal Costs (as of 2020)
Biennial Licensing Renewal Fee - $95
First Time Renewal: (Do NOT wait until the last day to renew your license. There may be technical issues that can not be resolved in one day.)
- An individual applying for licensure in the PA Commonwealth for the first time shall be exempted from the continuing education requirement for the biennial renewal period following initial licensure. Ref PA Code Title 49 47.39 Exemption and Waiver
Continuing Education Credits (CE credits)
All credits must be complete within the license cycle dates. (No carry-over of CE credits.) You can not take a course with the same name more than once in a cycle period. See NASW-PA for additional information. For the most current information about social work licensure requirements, visit your jurisdiction’s website or review their statutes and/or administrative rules.
To renew your license, you will need 30 continuing education hours which include:
- 3 Ethics credits
- 2 Act 31 Child Abuse Credits (NOTE: First time renewal requires 3 credits)
- 1 Act 74 Suicide Prevention: If the word "Suicide" or a derivative of the word "suicide" is contained in the title of a suicide prevention course/program taken through an approved provider, the continuing education earned can be used towards satisfying the suicide prevention continuing education requirement. If the course and program pertains to suicide prevention and the title of the course/program doesn't not contain the word "suicide", the approved provider of the course/program must indicated in the certification of attendance/completion the number of hours of suicide prevention continuing education earned.
- Note: the 1 hour of continuing education in suicide prevention may NOT be used towards satisfying the 3 hours of continuing education in ethics.
Act 31 Child Abuse Training Requirement
Act 31 of 2014 states that the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA), in conjunction with the Department of Human Services (DHS) is required to ensure that all persons applying for issuance of an initial license as a health-related licensee shall be required to complete three hours of DHS-approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements as a condition of licensure.
Additionally, effective with the first license renewal after Jan. 1, 2015, all health related licensees applying for the renewal of a license issued by the Board are required to complete at least two hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements as a condition of renewal. Act 31 applies to all health-related licensees.
Act 74 Suicide Prevention Training Requirement
Act 74 of 2016, signed by PA Governor Wolf, requires licensees of the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors to complete one hour of continuing education in the assessment, treatment and management of suicide risk. Beginning with the biennial renewal cycle of March 1, 2017, through Feb. 28, 2019, licensees must complete one hour of continuing education in suicide prevention as a condition of license renewal. If the word “suicide” or a derivative of the word “suicide” is contained in the title of a suicide prevention course/program taken through an approved provider, the continuing education earned can be used towards satisfying the suicide prevention continuing education requirement. If the course/program pertains to suicide prevention and the title of the course/program does not contain the word “suicide,” the approved provider of the course/program must indicate on the certification of attendance/completion the number of hours of suicide prevention continuing education earned.
Note: The required one hour of continuing education in suicide prevention is separate from the required three hours of continuing education in ethics. The two requirements may not be combined.
Ethics Training Requirement
Three (3) of the thirty (30) hours must be specifically in the ethical practice of social work.
Records Management
Licensee must keep records of continuing education credits for at least 4 years.
Online vs. In-Person
The PA State Board and NASW-PA distinction between an “in-person” and “online” CE training is as follows:
- In-person training refers to the ability of participants to interact/converse in real time with the presenter. Training delivery methods can include synchronous (live) virtual classroom that uses video conferencing technology and physical in-person trainings.
All of our CE trainings are considered "In-Person"
- Online trainings refer to self-paced/home study type programs where participants learn on their own time and schedule. Training delivery methods can include pre-recorded video trainings, trainings administered by mail, or self-paced training that uses various learning management technology.
The Center for Professional Development delivery methods include in-person and synchronous (live) virtual classroom using the Zoom video conferencing technology and thus are categorized as “In-Person” CE trainings.
License Organization Contact Information:
PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
717-783-1389
PO Box 2649
Harrisburg, Pa 17105
st-socialwork@pa.gov
National Association Social Workers-PA (NASW-PA)
717-232-4125
1000 Bent Creek Blvd. Suite 40
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
anewkam.naswpa@socialworkers.org
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Candidate Services: 888-579-3926
400 Southridge Parkway, Suite B
Culpeper, VA 22701