Work as a Mental Health Professional can be challenging, so decoding all the CE information shouldn’t be an added stressor.
As part of our mission to make Mental Health Professionals work a bit easier, we’ve checked your state board’s CE info for you! Here are the essentials that will help you find Continuing Education for MA Psychologists, MA Social Workers, MA Marriage and Family Therapists, MA Counselors, and MA Addiction Counselors.
CEs for Massachusetts Mental Health Professionals
Click on the links below to view the CE/CEU requirements for each Profession. Please note: Unless otherwise stated, CE hours for Asynchronous and Required Topics are INCLUDED in the total CE hours required.
- Massachusetts Psychologists CE requirements
- Massachusetts Social Workers CE requirements
- Massachusetts Marriage and Family Therapists CE requirements
- Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors CE requirements
- Massachusetts Alcohol and Drug Counselors CE requirements
MA Psychologists
Psychologists (MA)
PhD, PsyD
Board website: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists
MA Psychologist CE Requirements
| Renewal Period | 2 years |
| Total Hours – Self-study/Asynchronous allowed* | 20 CE hours {No limit} |
| Required Topics | {None specified} |
Approved CE Providers
| STATE Approvals | NATIONAL Approvals |
| – Accredited Academic Institutions | – APA – Other Approvals* |
and/or directly relevant to the science or practice of psychology.
* “Board-recognized Entities: The American Psychological Association, recognized educational institutions, as defined in M.G.L. c. 112, § 118, and such other entities that the Board designates as appropriate. Continuing Education Activities: Continuing education activities consist of: (a) formal learning programs with specific learning objectives sponsored by Board-recognized entities; and (b) publication of books, chapters of books, and/or articles in refereed journals, relevant to the science or practice of psychology…3) Continuing education activities in the form of publication of books, chapters of books, and/or articles in refereed journals, relevant to the science or practice of psychology may be substituted for not more than ten of the total 20 hours of continuing education activities required per licensure/renewal period.” – 251 CMR 4.00 of Psychologists Statutes and Regulations
MA Social Workers
Social Workers (MA)
LSWA, LSW, LCSW, LICSW
Board website: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers
MA Social Work CE Requirements
| Renewal Period | 2 years |
| Total Hours LICSW LCSW LSW LSWA – Self-study/Asynchronous allowed* | 30 CE hours 20 CE hours 15 CE hours 10 CE hours {No limit} |
| Required Topics – Anti-racism – Anti-discrimination | 2 CE hours 1 CE hour |
recognized entity set forth in 258 CMR, 31.04 (2)*
Approved CE Providers
| STATE Approvals | NATIONAL Approvals |
| – Massachusetts Board of Social Work – Accredited Academic Institutions – Any State Social Work Licensing Board | – ASWB – CSWE – NABSW – NASW – Other approvals* ACCME APA NBCC |
professional competence in social work practice.
* “Approval by Recognized Entity. A continuing education course or program, other than an individual continuing education activity approved for credit pursuant to 258 CMR 31.04(4), may be used to satisfy the continuing education requirements set forth in 258 CMR 31.03(1) only if it has been reviewed and approved by a recognized entity, as defined in 258 CMR 31.02. A continuing education course or program shall be deemed to have been approved by a recognized entity if:
(a) The course or program is presented or conducted by a graduate or undergraduate social work
school, program or department accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
(b) The course or program has been reviewed and approved by ASWB as an Approved
Continuing Education (ACE) program;
(c) The course or program has been approved for continuing education credit by a governmental
agency in any other state, province, territory or political subdivision of the United States or Canada
which is responsible for the licensure, certification or registration of social workers;
(d) The course or program has been reviewed and approved by the National Association of
Social Workers or a chapter of the National Association of Social Workers;
(e) The course or program has been reviewed and approved for continuing education credit by
the National Association of Black Social Workers or by a state chapter of the National Association
of Black Social Workers; or
(f) The course or program has been reviewed and approved by any other organization which has
been authorized by the Board to review and approve such courses or programs.” – 258 CMR 31.04(2) of Social Work Statutes and Regulations
* “Other Credits and Organizations. A licensee may receive up to 25% of continuing education credit in courses that have been approved by the following organizations AND contribute to the professional competence of the licensee. In order to be accepted for continuing education credit, the program must contribute to the growth of professional competence in social work practice. All licensees must receive a minimum of 75% of their continuing education credit in courses approved by a recognized entity set forth in 258 CMR 31.04(2). The Board may grant continuing education credits for educational programs sponsored by the following organizations in addition to those designated in 258 CMR 31.04(2). The Board has approved the following organizations:
(a) American Psychological Association (APA);
(b) National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC);
(c) Board of Nursing Home Administrator’s (NHA);
(d) American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC);
(e) Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).” – 258 CMR 31.04(5) of Social Work Statutes and Regulations
MA Marriage & Family Therapists
Marriage & Family Therapists (MA)
LMFT
Board website: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions
MA Marriage and Family Therapist CE Requirements
| Renewal Period | 2 years |
| Total Hours – Self-study/Asynchronous allowed | 30 CE hours {15 CE hours} |
| Required Topics: – Ethics – Anti-Discrimination | 3 Ethics CE hours 3 CE hours |
| for Supervisors: – Supervision | 3 Supervision CE hours |
Approved CE Providers
| STATE Approvals | NATIONAL Approvals |
| – New England Association for Family and Systemic Therapy (NEAFAST) | – AAMFT – Other approvals* |
and practice of professional counseling
* “Entity-approved Sponsors. Continuing education providers that have been approved by Board-Recognized Entities to sponsor continuing education activities. Sponsors may include, but are not limited to, colleges and universities, professional institutes, other workshop providers, and other professional training organizations… Board-recognized Entities. Entities that the Board has designated as appropriate to approve sponsors of continuing education activities. Entities may define continuing education content areas appropriate for the specific license. Designated entities may define procedures for the sponsors to follow in the delivery of continuing education activities.” – 262 CMR 7.02 of Allied Mental Health Statutes and Regulations.
“In accordance with the above definition, the Board will accept courses or programs approved by the following entities:…For Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT): Courses approved under the standards of the New England Association for Family and Systemic Therapy (NEAFAST) and/or its appointed Continuing Education administrators.” – Continuing Education Requirements: Policy No. 2020-01.
MA Counselors
Counselors (MA)
LMHC
Board website: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions
MA Mental Health Counselor Requirements
| Renewal Period | 2 years |
| Total Hours – Self-study/Asynchronous allowed | 30 CE hours {15 CE hours} |
| Required Topics: – Ethics – Anti-Discrimination | 3 Ethics CE hours 3 CE hours |
| for Supervisors: – Supervision | 3 Supervision CE hours |
Approved CE Providers
| STATE Approvals | NATIONAL Approvals |
| – Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association (MAMHCA) | – NBCC – Other Approvals* |
and practice of professional counseling
* “Entity-approved Sponsors. Continuing education providers that have been approved by Board-Recognized Entities to sponsor continuing education activities. Sponsors may include, but are not limited to, colleges and universities, professional institutes, other workshop providers, and other professional training organizations… Board-recognized Entities. Entities that the Board has designated as appropriate to approve sponsors of continuing education activities. Entities may define continuing education content areas appropriate for the specific license. Designated entities may define procedures for the sponsors to follow in the delivery of continuing education activities.” – 262 CMR 7.02 of Allied Mental Health Statutes and Regulations.
“In accordance with the above definition, the Board will accept courses or programs approved by the following entities:…For Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC): Courses approved under the standards of the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association (MAMHCA) or the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).” – Continuing Education Requirements: Policy No. 2020-01.
MA Addiction Counselors
Alcohol and Drug Counselors (MA)
LADC Assistant, LADC II, LADC I
Board website: Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services
MA Alcohol and Drug Counselors CE Requirements
| Renewal Period | 2 years |
| Total Hours – Self-study/Asynchronous allowed | 40 CE hours {20 CE hours} |
| Required Topics: | {None specified} |
Approved CE Providers
| STATE Approvals | NATIONAL Approvals |
| – MA Boards of Registration in Social Work, Nursing, Medicine, Mental Health Professionals, and Psychology – MA Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification – Accredited Educational Institution | – NAADAC – NBCC – Other Approvals* |
professional competence of LADCs and assistants
* “Recognized Entities – an accredited educational institution, professional organization, training institute, governmental body, recognized certifying body or other entity which has been recognized or authorized by the Department to sponsor, conduct or approve continuing education programs for alcohol and drug counselors/assistants. Recognized Entities include:
Accredited Colleges, Universities and post-secondary educational institutions; Adcare Educational Institute
New England Institute of Addiction Studies; DPH Licensed/Approved Substance Abuse Treatment Agencies; DPH Approved/Funded Substance Abuse Educational Organizations; Providers approved by MA Boards of Registration in Social Work, Nursing; Medicine, Mental Health Professionals, and Psychology; Mass Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification; American Academy of Healthcare Providers in the Addictive Disorders; National Board for Certified Counselors; National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors; International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium; Employee Assistance Certification Commission…” – Continuing Education Policy for Alcohol and Drug Counselors and Assistants
*Please note: This information is offered as a resource only. This information is provided as a courtesy and recommend you double check your state licensing board or accrediting organization for the latest regulations and specific requirements of your state when considering programs for Continuing Education credit. All licensed Professionals are solely responsible for understanding their licensing board’s requirements for continuing education training courses. If you don’t know what these requirements are, you can find out by contacting your board.
Stay in Touch
Follow CEViews on Social Media!
Sign up and follow us on social media to stay in the know about great CE training opportunities. Free and low-cost training are often featured as well!