Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Renewals and Status Change

Renewal Information

Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 877-001-0025 requires that the holder of an Oregon license must renew their license. LCSW, LMSW and RBSW license holders must renew their license every two-years and CSWA certificate holders must renew their license every year.
 

Important Reminders


1) All licensees are required to submit their renewal by the last day of their birth month. 

2) All licensees can complete their renewals up to 45 days before their renewal date. 

3) If a licensee does not renew by the last day of their birth month, then a non-refundable late fee will be applied to their renewal. 

4) For LCSW, LMSW, and RBSW licensees, continuing education can be completed any time during their two-year renewal period and uploaded to their licensee portal. 
Example: If an individuals renewal date is: 02/28/2026, that means that they can submit continuing education completed during the two-year renewal period: 03/01/2024-02/28/2026. 

5) All licensees that require continuing education to renew, may begin entering their completed continuing education starting the first date after their renewal date. 
Example: If an RBSW has a renewal date of 04/30/2026, they can begin taking and entering continuing education starting 05/01/2026. 

Renewal Instructions

Please be aware that these instructions were created as a guide, and may not encompass all required steps to complete your renewal. Always make sure to leave yourself time before your renewal date to complete all the required renewal steps. 

Step 1: Log into the licensing portal
Step 2: Complete continuing education section
  • Once logged in, click on the Continuing Education tab located to the left of your dashboard screen. 
  • Enter each continuing education activity separately. You may need to start a new continuing education plan before entering your continuing education activities. 
    • Only ONE certificate can be attached per continuing education activity. 
    • If a course qualifies for multiple continuing education types, it can be entered multiple times. Make sure to add the same certificate for each type of continuing education activity. 
For more detailed continuing education entry instructions, use the Oregon BLSW Continuing Education page. 

Step 3: Begin the renewal process
  • After entering all continuing education complete for the two-year renewal period, click the License Renewal tab located to the left of your screen. 
    • If you have not met the minimum required continuing education, including the required ethics and cultural competency, then you will not be able move on to this step until you do. 
  • Update all contact information. 
  • Answer all declaration questions and upload any required documentation or personal statements. 
  • Complete the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) survey. 
  • Log back into the Licensee Portal. 
  • Click on the License Renewal tab again and re-verify your personal and license information. 

Step 4: Submit and Pay
  • After completing all sections, proceed to payment. 
  • Oregon BLSW can accept the following payment options ONLY: 
    • Visa
    • MasterCard
    • Debit Card
    • Electronic Check

Step 5: Download and print your license
  • Once payment is processed and the renewal is approved: 
    • An updated copy of your licenses will be available in the Wallet Card and Wall Certificate tab located to the left of your screen. 
  • Oregon BLSW no longer prints and sends official copies of licenses.


Status Change Requests

Oregon Administrative Rules allow for all license types to request to change their status when an individual is no longer utilizing their social work license. 
Important Note: All license statuses require a licensee to renew their license. Please refer to the licensing portal or your official license to view your renewal date. 

What types of statuses are available? 

Licensed social workers in Oregon, may have one of the following license statuses: 
  • Active
  • Semi-Retired (LCSW Only)
  • Inactive


What does each status allow or require? 

Feature
Active
Semi-Retired (LCSW Only)
Inactive
Can you practice?
Yes
Yes (limit of 500
clinical hours/year)
No
Who qualifies?
All license types

LCSW only, must
meet eligibility requirements

All license types
Years licensed requirement
None
20+ years under a
regulatory board
None
Renewal CE  Requirements

Full CE requirement
per renewal (CSWA Exempt)

20 hours per renewal

None per renewal
Can you use the 
license title?
Yes
Yes

No


Status Change Instructions

Step 1: Log into Licensee Portal

Step 2: Submit status change request
  • Click on the Status Change Request tab located to the left of your dashboard screen. 
Step 3: Submit required documents if requested.
  • Some status change requests have additional requirements to change your status. Please follow the emailed instructions provided by Oregon BLSW staff to complete your status change request. 
Step 4: Renew your social work license
  • After your status change is processed and approved, please renew your license by your renewal date. Instructions for how to do so can be found above. 
Step 5: Download and print your updated license
  • Your updated license will be available in your portal under the Wallet Card and Wall Certificate tab located to the left of your screen. 


LCSW Active to Semi-Retired -

Updated Sept. 22, 2020.


Semi-retired status requirements:
  • Have been licensed under a regulatory board for at least 20 years.
  • Have had no disciplinary action in past 15 years.
  • Can only practice 500 hours in a year.
Renewal instructions:

  • Submit continuing education requirements for Active LCSWs. If you have any rollover, you may use it at this time. After your status has been changed to Semi-Retired Status, your CE requirement will also change to the reduced requirements for the Semi-retired reporting period.
  • Process your status change request on the portal first.  Then renew the newly changed license. your fee will be for the destination status.
  • Your License will be on your portal available to print under the "Wallet and Wall Certificates"  Tab.

 

LCSW Active to Inactive -

Updated Sept. 22, 2020



Inactive status requirements:

Inactive status is available to all LCSWs. As long as you continue to renew, there is no time limit as to how long one may be inactive. 
An Inactive LCSW may not practice clinical social work, or use the title LCSW.

 
Renewal Instructions:

  • Submit continuing education requirements for Active LCSWs. If you have any rollover, you may use it at this time. Once your status has been changed to Inactive, your CE requirement will also change for the inactive reporting period.
  • Process your status change request on the portal first.  Then renew the newly changed license. your fee will be for the destination status.
  • Your License will be on your portal available to print under the "Wallet and Wall Certificates"  Tab.

LCSW Semi-Retired to Inactive

Updated Sept. 22, 2020


Inactive status requirements:
Inactive status is available to all LCSWs. As long as you continue to renew, there is no time limit as to how long one may be inactive. 
An Inactive LCSW may not practice clinical social work, or use the title LCSW.
Renewal Instructions:

  • Submit continuing education requirements for Semi-Retired LCSWs. Once your status has been changed to Inactive, your CE requirement will also change for the inactive reporting period.
  • Process your status change request on the portal first.  Then renew the newly changed license. your fee will be for the destination status.
  • Your License will be on your portal available to print under the "Wallet and Wall Certificates"  Tab.

LMSW Active to Inactive

Inactive status requirements:
Inactive status is available to all LMSWs. As long as you continue to renew every year there is no time limit as to how long one may be inactive. 

 
Renewal Instructions:

  • Submit continuing education requirements for Active LMSWs. Once your status is changed to Inactive, your CE requirements will change for the inactive period,
  • Process your status change request on the portal first.  Then renew the newly changed license. our fee will be for the destination status.
  • Your License will be on your portal available to print under the "Wallet and Wall Certificates"  Tab.

RBSW Active to Inactive

Inactive status requirements:
Inactive status is available to all RBSWs. As long as you continue to renew every year there is no time limit as to how long one may be inactive. 

 
Renewal Instructions:

  • Submit continuing education requirements for Active RBSWs. Once your status is changed to Inactive, your CE requirements will change for the inactive period.
  • Process your status change request on the portal first.  Then renew the newly changed license. your fee will be for the destination status.
  • Your License will be on your portal available to print under the "Wallet and Wall Certificates"  Tab.

 Renewal Fees