Counselor / LPC Continuing Education Requirements by State (2026)

CE cycles vary by state. Most state boards operate on a one-, two-, or three-year renewal cycle that resets either on your license anniversary or on a fixed calendar date. See your state's row above for the exact cycle length.

Most states accept online CE as long as the course and provider are approved by the state board. A handful of states still cap the share of hours that can be completed online — always confirm against your state board's approved-provider list before enrolling.

Missing a renewal typically triggers a late fee and, if prolonged, license lapse or reinstatement requirements. Some boards also require additional CE to reinstate. Exact consequences depend on the state — check the state board link from the table row for your state.

Generally yes — mandatory ethics or professional-conduct hours count toward the total CE hours required, but only when taken from a course the board has explicitly approved. Some states break the ethics requirement out as a separate minimum that must be met in addition to general electives.

Most CE providers report completion directly to your state board or to a central tracking system. You generally do not need to submit a separate filing, but you should keep course-completion certificates for audit purposes for the retention period your board specifies.