There are three possible options that may be available to you, if there are circumstances that make it impossible for you to comply with the continuing education requirements in a timely manner. However, you must submit the Registration Remittance Addendum with your Registration Renewal Document before your request for one of the options listed below can be considered.
Inactive Status
A registration may be placed on inactive status if the licensee will not be practicing in New York State. There is no time limit placed on an inactive registration, but you will have to complete continuing education hours in order to return to practice. (See, Questions 15 & 16).
Adjustment
The Department may grant an adjustment to the continuing education requirements for the current registration period if the licensee documents and the Department determines that there is good cause that prevents compliance. The Department may grant an adjustment for the following reasons:
- poor health or a specific physical or mental disability certified by an appropriate health care professional(s);
- extended active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States; or
- other good cause beyond the licensee’s control, which in the Department’s judgment, makes it impossible for the licensee to comply with the continuing education requirements in a timely manner.
An adjustment does not include additional time; if the licensee needs additional time to complete the required continuing education, they must apply for a 12-month conditional registration and pay the $229 registration fee. For more information regarding an adjustment to this requirement, please contact the Office of the State Board for Psychology by email at [email protected].
Conditional Registration
A conditional registration will allow a licensee to continue working while making up the deficiencies in the continuing education requirement from the previous registration period. If granted, a conditional registration is valid for one year and cannot be renewed or extended. (See, Question 38) for more information about this option.
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Continuing Education Information
Hour requirements
36 hours of Continuing Education (CE) are required for each 2-year renewal period.
- A minimum of 25% (9 hours) must be “live.”
- Webinars in which there is interaction with the instructor in real time (via instant messaging, for example), are considered “live”.
Psychologists self-certify the number of hours they have completed on their renewal form (whether online or paper).
Courses or presentations less than one hour in length are not acceptable. No extensions will be granted to comply with CE requirements.
Law & Ethics requirement
Under the current regulations, there is no hour requirement or certificate required for Laws & Ethics. Licensees must check a box self-certifying that they have kept abreast of changes to laws (statutes and regulations) and ethics. There is no specified method regarding how the information must be obtained. Licensees can take a continuing education course, review Web sites, participate in grand rounds, etc.
Approval requirements
The Board of Psychology recognizes and accepts for continuing education credit courses that are provided by entities approved by:
Audits & Retention of Records
Licensees must retain their CE records for a minimum of four (4) years; the Board conducts random audits and, if selected, will contact the licensee for proof of completion.
Exemptions or Exceptions from CE requirements
Exemptions are available (pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 16, §1397.62) for the following reasons:
- total physical or mental disability of the psychologist for a period of at least one year,
- total physical or mental disability of an immediate family member for at least one year where the psychologist has total responsibility for the care of that family member, or
- engagement in active military service.
A licensee may request a reasonable accommodation according to the Americans with Disabilities Act which would exempt them from the on-site participation requirement.
If a licensee wishes to request an exemption or reasonable accommodation, they should send a written request to the Board at 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-215, Sacramento, CA 95834 or via e-mail to [email protected], with supporting documentation from a licensed physician and surgeon or, in the case of a mental disability, a licensed psychologist or board certified or board eligible psychiatrist.
Reactivation
If a license is inactive, the licensee must provide proof of 36 hours of CE in order to reactivate. The hours must be completed in the 24 months immediately preceding reactivation. Additional information regarding reactivation can be found in Reactivating an Inactive License or on the License Reactivation Application Form.
1. The phrase “AMA PRA Category 1 Credit” is a trademark of the American Medical Association.
For more information regarding continuing education, see §§1397.60 through 1397.70 in the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 16.
The Board’s statutes and regulations can be accessed by visiting http://www.psychology.ca.gov
Psychology Continuing Education Guide (+ CE Requirements by State)
The field of psychology is constantly advancing. Researchers always seem to be uncovering new pieces of information that help psychologists better understand humanity.
Because there’s so much still being discovered, it’s important for psychologists to keep up with the latest developments. This is where continuing education (CE) comes in.
Even though psychologists earn advanced degrees and pass plenty of standardized exams to earn the right to practice, they are still required to remain up-to-date on current psychology practices.
If you’re planning to pursue this career path or if you’re a psychologist who has questions about CE, keep reading to learn more about CE.
What is Continuing Education? Why is it Important for Psychologists?
After a mental health professional earns their graduate degree, completes their supervised work hours, passes their EPPP, and finishes any remaining state-specific requirements e.g CPLEE in California, they can work as a licensed psychologist. Once they’ve earned their license to practice, they must maintain certain standards to keep it active, one of which is CE.
CE is an ongoing process of learning. It builds on knowledge obtained during a psychologist’s graduate education and keeps them current on industry-specific information.
Outside of any state-specific content requirements, psychologists can take any type of CE that interests them or is related to their field of expertise. Marriage therapists may want to learn more strategies for dealing with conflict, while neuropsychologists could choose to focus on a cognition-specific course.
While therapists can take any continuing education classes that meet their state’s requirements, most professionals focus on classes in their areas of interest and expertise. A forensic psychologist, for example, might take classes on evaluating competency before trial, while a trauma specialist might take classes discussing the latest research on rape, war, and other trauma-intensive topics.
When a psychologist takes a CE course, it may be through a plethora of educational or psychological organizations. A non-profit group for fostering children may have a CE workshop that covers how to treat these children in a therapy setting, for instance.
Psychology CE courses can take the form of:
- Workshops
- Seminars
- University classes
- Online classes
- Community service
An important note: make sure the CE course you choose is approved by your state’s board. Without their approval, your hours of work may not count toward your total number of CE hours.
Each state has its own requirements for psychology CE — and these vary wildly. For instance, some require psychologists to learn about specific topics during their CE, while others don’t. Some states require 20 hours of CE every year, while others only require 12.
It’s imperative that psychologists understand and meet their state’s CE regulations. Without completing these courses, their license may be suspended or revoked. They may also receive sanctions from their licensing board.
Continuing Education Requirements by State
Every state has its own requirements for psychology CE. Read through our state-by-state list to see what CE is in your future.
For more detailed information about your location’s CE requirements, check your state’s psychology board website. We’ve linked each of these below.
Alabama
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every year (6 can be carried over from previous year)
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: September 30
- Psychology Board Website: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
Alaska
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every year
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30
- Psychology Board Website: Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners
Arizona
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 4 hours of ethics; 4 hours of domestic violence/child abuse
- CE Completion Deadline: April 30, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners
Arkansas
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every year
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30
- Psychology Board Website: Arkansas Psychology Board
California
- Required CE Hours: 36 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: By end of renewal period
- Psychology Board Website: California Board of Psychology
Colorado
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: August 31, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners
Connecticut
- Required CE Hours: 10 hours every year
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: By end of renewal period
- Psychology Board Website: Connecticut Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Delaware
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: July 31, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Delaware Board of Examiners of Psychologists
District of Columbia
- Required CE Hours: 30 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: December 31, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: District of Columbia Board of Psychology
Florida
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics and Florida’s psychology laws, 2 hours of medical errors, 2 hours of domestic violence (every 6 years)
- CE Completion Deadline: May 31, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Florida Board of Psychology
Georgia
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics, 3 hours of psychopharmacology, 3 hours of diversity (for your first CE renewal)
- CE Completion Deadline: December 31, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Georgia Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Hawaii
- Required CE Hours: 18 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Hawaii Board of Psychology
Idaho
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every year
- CE Topic Requirements: 4 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: By end of renewal period
- Psychology Board Website: Idaho Board of Psychologist Examiners
Illinois
- Required CE Hours: 24 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics in clinical psychology
- CE Completion Deadline: September 30, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Illinois Psychologists Licensing Board
Indiana
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 6 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: August 31
- Psychology Board Website: Indiana State Psychology Board
Iowa
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 6 hours of Iowa psychology laws and regulations, 6 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Iowa Board of Psychology
Kansas
- Required CE Hours: 50 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics, 6 hours of diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board
Kentucky
- Required CE Hours: 39 hours every 3 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethical practice or risk management, 6 hours in suicide assessment, treatment, and management (within a year after licensing, then every 6 years)
- CE Completion Deadline: By end of renewal period
- Psychology Board Website: Kentucky State Board of Psychology
Louisiana
- Required CE Hours: 30 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 2 hours of ethics or forensics
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30, year determined by year of licensure
- Psychology Board Website: Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Maine
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: January 1, year determined by year of licensure
- Psychology Board Website: Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Maryland
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: January 31
- Psychology Board Website: Maryland Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Massachusetts
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists
Michigan
- Required CE Hours: 30 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 2 hours of pain and symptom management, 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: August 31
- Psychology Board Website: Michigan Board of Psychology
Minnesota
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: Month and year are based on licensure date
- Psychology Board Website: Minnesota Board of Psychology
Mississippi
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 2 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Mississippi Board of Psychology
Missouri
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: November 30, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Missouri Committee of Psychologists
Montana
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: December 31, year is determined by whether your license ends in a odd or even number; even numbers are during even-numbered years and odds are odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Montana Board of Psychologists
Nebraska
- Required CE Hours: 24 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: January 1, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Nebraska Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Nevada
- Required CE Hours: 30 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 6 hours of ethics, 2 hours of evidence-based suicide prevention and awareness
- CE Completion Deadline: December 31
- Psychology Board Website: Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners
New Hampshire
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 6 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: Year determined by year of licensure
- Psychology Board Website: New Hampshire Board of Psychology
New Jersey
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 4 hours of domestic violence
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: New Jersey Board of Psychological Examiners
New Mexico
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 4 hours of cultural diversity, 5 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: July 1
- Psychology Board Website: New Mexico Board of Psychologist Examiners
New York
- Required CE Hours: 36 hours every 3 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: Date based on year of licensure
- Psychology Board Website: New York State Office of the Professions: Psychology
North Carolina
- Required CE Hours: 18 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: September 30, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: North Carolina Psychology Board
North Dakota
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: October 31
- Psychology Board Website: North Dakota Board of Psychologist Examiners
Ohio
- Required CE Hours: 23 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 4 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: August 31, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Ohio Board of Psychology
Oklahoma
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every year
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: December 31
- Psychology Board Website: Oklahoma Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Oregon
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 4 hours of ethics, 4 hours of cultural competency, 7 hours of pain management (first renewal)
- CE Completion Deadline: Last day of birth month
- Psychology Board Website: Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners
Pennsylvania
- Required CE Hours: 30 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: November 30, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology
Rhode Island
- Required CE Hours: 24 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Rhode Island Board of Psychology
South Carolina
- Required CE Hours: 24 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: November 30
- Psychology Board Website: South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology
South Dakota
- Required CE Hours: 6 hours every year
- CE Topic Requirements: none
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30
- Psychology Board Website: South Dakota Board of Psychologist Examiners
Tennessee
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics, 3 hours of cultural diversity
- CE Completion Deadline: December 31
- Psychology Board Website: Tennessee Board of Examiners of Psychology
Texas
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every year
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics, 3 hours of cultural diversity
- CE Completion Deadline: By end of birth month
- Psychology Board Website: Texas Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Utah
- Required CE Hours: 48 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 6 hours of ethics and law
- CE Completion Deadline: September 30, even-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Vermont
- Required CE Hours: 60 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 6 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: January 31
- Psychology Board Website: Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners
Virginia
- Required CE Hours: 14 hours every year
- CE Topic Requirements: 1.5 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: June 30
- Psychology Board Website: Virginia Board of Psychology
Washington
- Required CE Hours: 60 hours every 3 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 4 hours of ethics, 6 hours of suicide assessment (every 6 years)
- CE Completion Deadline: Deadline based on your birthday
- Psychology Board Website: Washington State Department of Health
West Virginia
- Required CE Hours: 20 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 3 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: By end of renewal period
- Psychology Board Website: West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Wisconsin
- Required CE Hours: 40 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: 6 hours of ethics
- CE Completion Deadline: September 30, odd-numbered years
- Psychology Board Website: Wisconsin Psychology Examining Board
Wyoming
- Required CE Hours: 45 hours every 2 years
- CE Topic Requirements: None
- CE Completion Deadline: Based on birthday
- Psychology Board Website: Wyoming Board of Psychology
Completing your state’s CE requirements not only helps you keep your license current, it’s also a wonderful way for psychologists to keep learning about their field and improve the way they treat their patients.
