Don’t Dread Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Written by: Tobin Richardson, Founder of Save the Therapist

We therapists like to learn about and refine our craft. But checking off CE requirements can be much more like a dreaded checkmark on your license renewal to-do list. When approached intentionally, CEs can be a high-value part of your clinical development. They can actually sharpen your clinical skills, expand your professional identity, and even reignite your passion for the field.

Whether you are new to the field or have years of experience, here are some helpful tips. These tips will help you get the most from your mental health continuing education experience.

Choose a Format That Works for You

One of the most effective ways to make CEs worthwhile is to choose formats that work within your life and practice. Some questions to consider:

• Do you thrive in in-person, community building environments?
• Are you able to take time away from your clinical schedule to attend workshops or seminars?
• What types of programs, seminars, workshops, etc. are you financially able to swing?
• Do you prefer learning asynchronously while on an evening walk or long commute?

Choosing continuing education (CE) options that fit your learning style and any practical issues will help you learn. This way, you can keep learning during your CEU renewal cycle when you want to and are interested. This will also prevent getting into the habit of last second CE binges!

Look for Applied and Experiential Resources

Behavioral health CEUs don’t have to be 40 page PDF documents. Not even the online courses. National organizations like the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the American Social Work Board (ASWB) are open to approving innovative formats, including gamified courses and even podcast-style resources as long as they meet their CE criteria.

Reflect on What You Learn

After completing a behavioral health CEU course, don’t let the material gather dust. Take a few moments to reflect on what you learned and how it might apply to your current caseload. Ask yourself:

• Which clients might benefit from this new technique or insight?
• What small change can I try in my next session?
• How does this align or conflict with my current therapeutic orientation?

Even better, discuss this with a colleague or mentor. It can actually be fun to talk about engaging learning experiences.

Track and Revisit Learning Over Time

Maintain a mental health CEU journal or spreadsheet where you not only record completed hours but also note key takeaways, skills practiced, and potential follow-ups (like books to read or certifications to pursue). This log can become a powerful resource for supervision, peer consultation, or future learning decisions.

You might also schedule quarterly or biannual “review sessions” with yourself to revisit older CE material. For behavioral health therapists, this helps reinforce learning and increases the chances you’ll actually use it in your work.

Understand your licensure board(s) requirements

Licensure boards have the final say on what courses can apply to formal CE credit requirements. Many accept courses from mental health providers approved either specifically by that state board, or by certain national organizations or entities. But even then, boards often require certain courses focused on specific topics–so be sure you get to those.

Look for FREE options

Lets face it–finances are usually a factor driving what CEs are obtainable. There are legitimate and high quality free options–offered in various formats such as live in-person, live via video conferencing, and asynchronously online. One such platform is Save the Therapist which offers free and produced podcast-style courses on a variety of topics.

Final Thoughts

Continuing Education doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With thoughtful selection, active engagement, and follow-through, your CE hours can transform into some of the most valuable moments in your professional development. Treat them not just as requirements, but as opportunities—and your clients (and your future self) will thank you.