Illinois Social Work CE Requirement Statutes

This information below has been obtained directly from theIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) which regulates the practice of Social Work in the state of Illinois and is current as of December 2024. Please visit here for full information and details.

Section 1470.90  Renewals

a)      Every license issued under the Act shall expire on November 30 of each odd-numbered year.  The holder of a license may renew that license during the month preceding the expiration date of the license by paying the required fee set forth in Section 1470.55 and complying with the continuing education requirements set forth in Section 1470.95.

b)      It is the responsibility of each licensee to notify the Division of any change of address. Failure to receive a renewal form from the Division shall not constitute an excuse for failure to pay the renewal fee or to renew one's license.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 15904, effective October 11, 2013)

Section 1470.95  Continuing Education

a)      Continuing Education Hours Requirements

1)      Every licensee who applies for renewal of a license as a licensed social worker or licensed clinical social worker shall complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) relevant to the practice of social work or clinical social work.  At least 3 of the 30 hours must include content related to the ethical practice of social work and at least 3 of the 30 hours must include content related to cultural competence in the practice of social work.  Additionally, CE must be obtained as set for in 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1130, Subpart E.

2)      Beginning with the renewal period ending November 30, 2027, for all currently licensed clinical social workers, and the second renewal after initial licensure of a clinical social worker, 6 of the required 30 hours of CE shall be in clinical supervision training.  This is a one-time (lifetime) requirement.

3)      A prerenewal period is the 24 months preceding November 30 of each odd-numbered year.

4)      CE requirements shall be the same for licensed social workers and licensed clinical social workers.

5)      One CE hour shall equal 50 minutes of attendance.

6)      Courses that are part of the curriculum of a university, college or other educational institution shall be allotted CE credit at the rate of 15 CE hours for each semester hour or 10 CE hours for each quarter hour of school credit awarded.

7)      A renewal applicant shall not be required to comply with CE requirements for the first renewal of an Illinois license.

8)      Social workers or clinical social workers licensed in Illinois but residing and practicing in other states shall comply with the CE requirements set forth in this Section.

b)      Approved Continuing Education (CE)

1)      CE hours shall be earned by verified attendance (e.g., certificate of attendance or certificate of completion) at or participation in an in-person program or course ("program") that is offered or sponsored by an approved CE sponsor who meets the requirements set forth in subsection (c), except for those activities provided in subsections (b)(2), (3) and (4).

2)      CE credit also may be earned by verified completion (e.g., certificate of attendance or certificate of completion) of a remote program (e.g., self-study, book-study, or computer/online based course) that is offered by an approved sponsor who meets the requirements set forth in subsection (c).  Each remote course shall include an examination.

3)      CE credit may be earned through postgraduate training programs (e.g., extern, residency or fellowship programs) or completion of social work related courses that are a part of the curriculum of a college, university or graduate school of social work.

4)      CE credit may be earned for verified teaching in a college, university or graduate school of social work approved in accordance with Section 1470.30 and/or as an instructor of CE programs given by approved sponsors.  Credit will be applied at the rate of 1.5 hours for every hour taught and only for the first presentation of the program (i.e., credit shall not be allowed for repetitious presentations of the same program).

5)      CE credit may be earned for authoring papers, publications or books and for preparing presentations and exhibits.  The preparation of each published paper, book chapter or presentation dealing with social work or clinical social work may be claimed as 5 hours of credit.  A presentation must be before a professional audience.  Five credit hours may be claimed for only the first time the information is published or presented.

c)      Approved CE Sponsors and Programs

1)      Approved sponsor, as used in this Section, shall mean:

A)     The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and its affiliates;

B)     The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and its affiliates;

C)     American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy or its affiliates;

D)     Employers licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act [210 ILCS 85];

E)     Professional Counseling Continuing Education Sponsors approved by the Division in accordance with the rules for the administration of the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act [225 ILCS 107] (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1375.220);

F)      Clinical Psychologist Continuing Education Sponsors approved by the Division in accordance with the rules for the administration of the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act [225 ILCS 15] (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1400.85);

G)     Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Continuing Education Sponsors approved by the Division in accordance with the rules for the administration of the Illinois Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act [225 ILCS 55] (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1283.110);

H)     Any other regionally accredited school, college or university, community college or State agency that provides CE in a form and manner consistent with this Section; or

I)      Any other person, firm, association, corporation or other group that has been approved and authorized by the Division pursuant to subsection (c)(2) upon recommendation of the Board to coordinate and present continuing education courses or programs.