What the Texas rule asks of social workers
30 hours each renewal period. Texas social work licenses renew every two years, on the last day of your birth month. You need 30 hours of continuing education each renewal period, including 6 hours in ethics and 3 hours on serving a distinct population. If you hold supervisory status, 6 of the 30 must be in supervision. You may carry up to 10 unneeded hours forward to the next period.
At least half from listed providers. At least fifty percent of your continuing education hours must come from these providers: international, national, regional, state or local associations of medical, mental or behavioral health professionals; public school districts, charter schools or education service centers; city, county, state or federal government entities; institutions of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or the United States Department of Education; religious or charitable organizations devoted to improving individuals' mental or behavioral health; licensees who are Council-approved supervisors; hospitals or hospital systems, including their clinics, divisions and departments; or providers approved or endorsed by any of these providers. Special Learning is not on this list, and we have not verified approval or endorsement by a listed provider. For your required 30 hours, at least 15 must come from listed providers. Up to 15 may come from other providers, subject to the rule's other requirements.
Every hour must relate to social work. Every hour must be "directly related to the practice of social work," and the Council makes that determination. The Council does not pre-evaluate or pre-approve providers or hours.
Recorded courses. Self-study, such as reading on your own, is capped at 1 hour. The rule says time spent individually viewing or listening to media "as part of an organized continuing education activity, program or offering from a third-party is not subject to this self-study limitation."
Keep your records. Except for activities claimed under §781.501(g), the provider must designate your continuing education hours in a letter, email, certificate or transcript showing your name, the topic covered, the training date or dates, and the hours of credit earned. Keep proof of compliance for at least 3 years after the applicable renewal period. Each month, an automated process selects 5 percent of licensees for a continuing education audit.
Read the Council's own rules before you plan your hours: Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council statutes and rules (social work rule 22 TAC §781.501)
