Where can New York social workers find free CE credits?

NASW-NY members receive up to 12 free CE credits per year through Member-Exclusive Free CE programs. Upcoming free webinars include 'Suicidal Ideation and Self-Injurious Behaviors: Assessment and Treatment' on September 9 (3 CEs, free for members).

CEU Schedule

Managing Difficult Group Therapy Participants: A Goal-Directed Approach

Friday, October 2, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

NASWNY Chapter / 10/2/2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 0 284

This CE training reframes how clinicians approach difficult group therapy participants — moving beyond behavioral labeling to a developmental engagement framework based on Vaillant's hierarchy of defense mechanisms. Participants learn to recognize a member's stage of group engagement and apply stage-matched interventions that build group safety, cohesion, and therapeutic growth.

CE Program recruited and planned by NASW-NY CE Taskforce, Micro Subgroup.

Continuing Education & Licensing FAQ

Find answers regarding NYSED accreditation, member benefits, and required contact hours.

How do I register for a CE webinar?

Registering takes just a few minutes:

Find your course: Select a program from our CE schedule.
Log in or sign up: Members use their NASW credentials; non-members can create a free account.
Checkout: Complete registration (member-exclusive and VMHTI courses are free).
Confirmation: Check your inbox for calendar invites and access links.
Attend & Earn: Complete the session to receive your verified CE certificate via email.

Is NASW-NY an officially approved provider of CE credits in New York?

Yes. The National Association of Social Workers – New York Chapter (NASW-NY) is recognized by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for LMSWs, LCSWs, LMFTs, LMHCs, and Licensed Psychologists.

What learning formats are available for CE credits?

NASW-NY offers flexible learning formats to fit your schedule:

Live Virtual Webinars: Interactive sessions that count the same as live, in-person training under NYSED requirements. Earn CEs and complete requirements from anywhere.
Self-Study (On-Demand) Courses: Complete state-approved continuing education at your own pace, anytime.

Explore On-Demand Self-Study CE Courses →

What are the NYS continuing education requirements for social work license renewal?

Licensed Social Workers in New York State are required by NYSED to complete 36 hours of continuing education during each 3-year registration triennium. Effective April 2023, at least 3 contact hours must specifically address maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Which upcoming courses satisfy the NYS Professional Boundaries requirement?

NASW-NY regularly schedules 3-contact-hour boundary workshops led by industry leaders like Dr. Kathryn Krase. Upcoming programs include:

Complicated Relationships: Case Studies in Boundaries – July 10, 2026 (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET)
What Happens in Therapy, Stays in Therapy. Unless... Exploring the Ethics of Confidentiality – November 17, 2026 (1:00–4:00 p.m. ET)
The Challenging Ethics of Mental Health Supervision – December 8, 2026 (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET)

What free CE programs are available to NASW-NY members in 2026?

NASW-NY members receive 12 free CEs per year through Member-Exclusive Free CE programs, offered on a rotating schedule tied to awareness observances. Registration opens approximately two months before each program.

March — Mental & Behavioral Health Professionals as Change Agents: Policy Advocacy Tools for Practice (Social Work Month) — Wed, March 18, 10:00AM–1:00PM — 3 CEs
April — Autism and Trauma: Understanding the Trends and Realities to Provide a Clinically Responsive Treatment Approach (Autism Awareness Month) — Wed, April 1, 10:00AM–1:00PM — 3 CEs
June — Legal Determinants of Health, Cultural Literacy and People Identifying as LGBTQ+ (Pride Month) — Fri, June 5, 11:30AM–1:00PM — 1.5 CEs
September — Suicidal Ideation and Self-Injurious Behaviors: Assessment and Treatment (World Suicide Prevention Day) — Wed, September 9, 5:00PM–8:00PM — 3 CEs (Free for Members)

What Veteran Mental Health Training Initiative (VMHTI) programs are happening in 2026?

The Veteran Mental Health Training Initiative (VMHTI) offers close to 20 free CEs in 2026, open to both members and non-members.

March — Equine Therapy and Veteran Support: Downstate Focus (Mon, March 30) and Upstate Focus (Tue, March 31), 1:00PM–3:00PM each — live virtual — 2 CEs each
April — NY State Dwyer Coalition's Veteran Suicide Intervention Conference — Mon, April 20, 8:00AM–5:00PM — in person, Fordham University, Lincoln Center, McNally Amphitheater — 4 CEs
August — Annual VMHTI Conference — Fri, August 14 & Sat, August 15 — live virtual — up to 10 CEs
Winter — one live virtual session between September and December 2026 (details TBD)

Do I need updated Mandated Reporter Training in New York?

Yes, if you're a mandated reporter in New York State, recent law changes require you to complete updated training — even if you've taken Mandated Reporter Training before.

Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2024 added training on identifying abuse or maltreatment in children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Anyone who completed training between 11/1/2022 and 8/31/2025 must complete the updated curriculum by November 17, 2026 — a short 15-minute addendum is available through most approved providers for those who only need to cover this update.
Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2021 added training on implicit bias, adverse childhood experiences, and recognizing signs of abuse in virtual interactions, with a completion deadline of April 1, 2025.

NASW-NY offers self-study options to meet these requirements, open to everyone:

Making the Decision to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment: Updated NYS Mandated Reporter Training — full training for those who need the complete course.
Meeting the Updated NYS Mandated Reporter Training Requirement (An Addendum to Previous Training) — the short addendum for those who already completed training between 11/1/2022–8/31/2025.

How many free CEs do NASW-NY members receive?

NASW-NY members receive up to 12 free CE credits per year (36 total credits across a 3-year renewal cycle). In addition, members gain free or discounted access to specialty initiatives like the Veteran Mental Health Training Initiative (VMHTI), which offers ~20 additional free CE hours annually.

Are these CE credits accepted outside of New York State?

Most state licensing boards recognize NYSED-approved continuing education courses, particularly for ethics and professional boundary requirements. However, practitioners licensed outside NY should verify specific reciprocity guidelines with their local state board.

NYSED-Approved Continuing Education for Social Workers

Managing Difficult Group Therapy Participants: A Goal-Directed Approach

Friday, October 2, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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