Maintaining Your C-SWCM Certification

Major Takeaways:

C-SWCM certification must be renewed every two years through the NASW Credentials Portal, with exceptions for those who also hold a CCM.
Renewal requires 20–30 hours of continuing education (including 3 ethics hours) from accredited sources like NASW or universities.
Proper documentation—such as certificates and transcripts—must be retained for 4–6 years in case of an NASW audit.
Staying current with your C-SWCM ensures professional credibility, supports career advancement, and improves client care outcomes.

The Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM) is one of the most important credentials social workers can earn. It exists to:

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Set a national standard for excellence in case management.
Recognize social workers who have experience and training specific to managing client care.
Provide credibility to both employers and clients that you know your stuff.
Support ethical and evidence-based practice in complex systems of care.

Earning your C-SWCM certification is a big accomplishment—but it’s not the finish line. To keep your certification active, you’ll need to renew it every two years.

C-SWCM certification renewal can feel like one more thing on a never-ending to-do list. But it’s something you need to do to keep giving your clients the best care possible—and to show your supervisors that you’re truly committed and passionate about the work you do.

This article is here to help you understand exactly what’s expected of C-SWCM certification renewal. We’ll break down the continuing education requirements, walk through the renewal process step-by-step, and offer some helpful tips to keep everything organized and manageable.

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Overview of the C-SWCM Certification

So, a brief refresher. The Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM) is a credential that is granted by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), is one of the most respected and recognized certifications for social workers. It’s designed specifically for BSW- and MSW-level social workers who are out in the field doing the hard work of:

coordinating services
supporting clients
helping them navigate complex systems

This isn’t just a random title you can slap on your resume. The C-SWCM is a professional endorsement that tells employers, clients, and colleagues that you meet national standards for ethical, informed, and skilled case management.

You might be wondering, “Do I really have to renew it every two years?” The answer is yes—definitely!

Maintaining C-SWCM certification isn’t just another checkbox. It’s an important part of your professional journey. Without it, you risk falling behind in a field that’s constantly evolving. New research, new policies, and new client needs mean that what worked a few years ago might not be enough today.

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NASW Renewal Cycle and Timeline

Let’s delve deeper into how the C-SWCM certification renewal process works.

You renew every two years. That’s your official cycle. However, if you have both the CCM and C-SWCM, you only need to follow the CCM’s 5-year renewal cycle instead of NASW’s 2-year schedule.
NASW will email you reminders, but don’t rely on those alone. Set your calendar alerts.
Keep an eye on your certification expiration date. You don’t want to miss it and have to reapply from scratch.
You’ll do the renewal through NASW’s credentials portal (we’ll walk through that in a bit).

Two years might sound like a long time, but trust us—it goes fast. Especially when you’re juggling work, family, and, you know, life.

Continuing Education Requirements (CEUs) for C-SWCM

The C-SWCM NASW certification requirements for renewal include continuing education, which shows that you’re still learning, growing, and practicing ethically. The NASW has specific rules about what kind of education counts, how many hours you need, and how to track it all.

You’ll need 20–30 hours of continuing education for each two-year renewal cycle. The exact number may vary depending on your location and the NASW’s current requirements, but 30 is the safest number to aim for.
At least 3 of those hours must be in ethics. This is non-negotiable and super important.

So, what counts as continuing education for social workers in case management? Here’s a quick cheat sheet of what’s in and what’s out:

What counts:

Clinical training related to case management
Cultural competency workshops
Courses on evidence-based practices
Trauma-informed care programs
Anything NASW-approved or from a recognized CEU provider

What doesn’t count:

General staff meetings
Casual reading or self-study without supervision
Training not related to social work or case management
Non-accredited programs or random online videos

CEU Sources You Can Trust

You don’t have to search the internet endlessly. Here are some solid places to meet social work CEU requirements:

NASW’s CE Institute
State social work associations
Accredited platforms like CE4Less, Social Work Online CE Institute
Universities and colleges (for-credit coursework counts, too)
Local NASW chapters (often host low-cost events and webinars)

Types of Acceptable CEUs and Learning Formats

One of the best things about renewing the Certified Social Work Case Manager credential? You’ve got options.

In-person seminars and workshops (great for networking)
Online, on-demand courses (perfect for late-night learners)
Live webinars (interactive and often very current)
University classes (even better if you’re earning an advanced degree)
Supervised fieldwork or training (if it’s structured and documented)
NASW chapter events and trainings

You can even mix and match—this is where hybrid learning shines.

Documentation and Proof of Completion

You worked hard for those CEUs—don’t let your effort go to waste because you lost the proof.

What you need to keep:

Certificates of completion (download or scan them!)
Course syllabi or descriptions, if needed
Transcripts (for university courses)
Any official record of attendance for workshops or professional development for social workers

Hold onto this documentation for 4 to 6 years because NASW sometimes conducts random audits, and you’ll need to show your CEU records if you’re chosen.

During renewal, you’ll self-report your CEUs in the online portal, but make sure everything you claim is backed up with actual documentation just in case.

How to Renew Your C-SWCM Certification

Step 1: Log into the NASW Credentials Portal.

Head over to the NASW website and log in to your Credentials Portal. This is your dashboard for everything certification-related.

Step 2: Update CEU records.

Make sure you meet the NASW CEU guidelines. Double-check the hours, especially your ethics continuing education units (CEUs).

Step 3: Update your contact info.

Is your email still the same? Did you move? Update all of that. You don’t want to miss reminders or updates.

Step 4: Pay the renewal fee.

Fees can vary a bit, but they’re usually between $95 (members) and $335 (non-members). Pay on time to avoid late fees.

Step 5: Submit your online renewal.

Hit submit! You’ll usually receive a confirmation email immediately, and the official approval will follow shortly thereafter.

Staying Current Between Renewal Cycles

Here’s how to keep growing year-round and ensure that you’re updated for the C-SWCM certification renewal without burning out:

Join a local NASW chapter—it’s a great way to stay connected
Subscribe to social work journals (digital or print)
Attend conferences when you can (some are even virtual!)
Start a peer supervision group—learning through conversation is powerful
Set quarterly learning goals (e.g., one new training every 3 months)

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Renewal Process

Here are the usual suspects when it comes to renewal slip-ups:

Waiting until the last minute to collect CEUs (you’ll be scrambling)
Forgetting the ethics requirement (this one is easy to overlook)
Taking non-approved courses (make sure the provider is accredited!)
Letting the certification lapse (accidents happen—set reminders)
Not saving your documentation (trust us, you’ll wish you had)

Benefits of Keeping Your C-SWCM Current

Still wondering if the effort is worth it? Here’s why social work certification maintenance is such a big deal:

It keeps your professional reputation solid.
It proves you’re staying ethically and clinically informed.
It opens the door for career growth and leadership roles.
It helps you deliver better outcomes to the people you serve.
Many employers (and some states) require it for certain positions.

Resources for Earning CEUs and Tracking Progress

Here are a few tools to keep things organized and stress-free as you earn C-SWCM continuing education units:

NASW CE Institute – Easy access to approved online courses
CEU tracking apps (like CE Broker) or a simple Excel/Google Sheet
NASW Member Portal – Tracks credentials and sends reminders
Peer check-ins – Team up with coworkers for CEU accountability
Your calendar – Schedule CEU goals like any other task (“Find ethics course” = done!)

Conclusion

Maintaining your Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM) credential isn’t just something to squeeze into your calendar every two years (five years if you have a CCM). Staying up to date doesn’t just make you a better social worker—it leads to better practice, better outcomes, and better opportunities.

If there’s one thing you take from this guide, let it be this: Don’t wait. Start thinking about your CEUs early in your renewal cycle. Spread them out so you’re not cramming at the last minute. Create a simple plan, keep your documentation organized, and allocate time for the topics that truly interest you.

You’re not just a certified case manager. You’re a lifelong learner, a change agent, and a leader in the making. Keep that credential current—and keep showing up as your best, most informed, most impactful self.