social work continuing education illinois

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Illinois social workers ce requirements, accreditations & approvals, external link, this link leads outside of the netce site to:.

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Illinois Social Workers

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, NetCE is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit.

NetCE is an approved provider through the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation: Social Work Professions, License #159.001094.

Continuing Education Requirement

× ethics course options, × alzheimer and other dementias course options, × cultural competency course options.

LCSW and LSW are required 30 hours every two years, all of which may be completed by self-study.*

A minimum of 3 of the 30 hours must be in professional ethics and 3 must be in cultural competence in the practice of social work every two year licensing period.

NEW Beginning with renewals on and after January 1, 2025 , health care professionals have a new statutorily mandated continuing education requirement of at least 1 hour in cultural competency . Completion deadline is within 3 biennial renewal periods. A health care professional may count this one hour for completion of this course toward meeting the minimum credit hours required for continuing education. (PA 103-0531 enacted 8/11/2023 effective 1/1/2025)

Beginning January 1, 2020, all licensees are required to complete 1 hour of continuing education specific to sexual harassment prevention every renewal.

Beginning January 1, 2023, a health care professional who has continuing education requirements for license registration or renewal must complete at least a one-hour course in training on implicit bias awareness per renewal period. A health care professional may count this one hour for completion of this course toward meeting the minimum credit hours required for continuing education.

Beginning January 1, 2023, a health care professional who has continuing education requirements for license registration or renewal who provides health care services to patients 26 years of age and older, is required at least 1 hour in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer disease and other dementias every renewal period. A health care professional may count this 1 hour toward meeting the minimum credit hours required for continuing education. This requirement begins for social workers renewing in 2023.

Beginning January 1, 2022, all licensees who are considered mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect are required to complete training on child abuse and neglect with a section on implicit bias within 3 months of engagement in a professional or official capacity as a mandated reporter. LCSWs and LSWs must complete the training at least every 3 years thereafter. The training will count toward meeting a licensee's required continuing education. The Department (DCFS) makes available a free web-based training.

* NetCE courses are considered self-study.

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All Accreditations and Approvals License Renewal Instructions

For More Information

Please contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: Social Work Professions at (800) 560-6420, or refer to https://www.idfpr.com/profs/SocialWorker.asp and https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/068014700000950R.html for additional information regarding your continuing education.

Licensees may complete the DCFS mandated reporter training online at https://www.dcfstraining.org/vtc/home/home.action .

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School of Social Work Continuing Education

Explore a new practice area or method in social work. Get the latest in applied practice information. Network with fellow alumni and Saint Louis University faculty.

SLU's social work continuing education workshops are affordable and informed by current research and best practices in the field. Our instructors are leading practitioners and faculty members at SLU's School of Social Work who bring a wealth of professional and instructional experience to the workshops.

2024 Continuing Education Brochure (PDF)

Sessions and Workshops

SLU's sessions and workshops support ongoing professional growth and development, and enable practitioners to meet licensure renewal requirements. Workshops are open to licensed social workers of all levels, practicing in both clinical and macro roles. SLU alumni and current practicum instructors are eligible for a special discount.

Register for Continuing Education Courses

2024 Sessions and Workshops

Time: 9-noon

Modality: Zoom  

Presenter: Charles Franke, LCSW

*Meets Ethics Requirement

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the risks and concerns unique to social work that can affect our proficient access to the use of self.  
• Differentiate between moral injury, compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary trauma along with the ways these concerns create direct concerns related to ethical treatment.  
• Apply the concept of the self of the social worker with multiple strategies for valuing and connecting to their sense of self.

Course Description: The self of the social worker is one of the primary tools that allows for effective treatment and services of the populations we work with. Our ability to understand our own experience of our work, process that experience, and apply that experience in helpful and ethical ways is paramount to our work. This incredible sensitivity and utilization of self also exposes us to compassion fatigue, moral injury, burnout and secondary trauma. Social workers are expected to hold space for the most difficult situations, and often, we are experiencing this exposure alone. As a result of this difficulty, we must ensure we are self-aware, utilizing support and supervision, and ensuring our compliance with the code of ethics is intact. In this training, we will look deeply at the self of the social work along with all of its applications. This training will discuss the uses of self and strategies for building safety to preserve and value that sense of self as professionals.     Bio: Charles “Chaz” Franke, LCSW, is an adjunct professor in the School of Social Work and is a therapist and clinical supervisor for Light Source, a small group practice in Belleville, Illinois,  

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from McKendree University and a Master of Social Work degree from SLU. Franke has been practicing therapy full time since 2007. Since beginning his career as a therapist, he has worked with trauma and its long-reaching effects. This work has included extensive work with all ages and all walks of life. He specializes in self-compassion and integrating Eastern thought and philosophy into the therapeutic process. Chaz provides both clinical and reflective supervision to clinicians across many settings to help further their ability to find their voice in the field and maintain engagement in their work.   

Register Online

Time: 1-4 p.m.    Modality: Zoom    Presenter: Monica Matthieu, Ph.D., LCSW

Learning Objectives:  

• Assess the types of lethal means and best practice approaches to mitigating risk.  
• Describe the elements of a patient-centered approach to promoting safety behaviors. 
• Practice talking to clients about the safe storage of lethal means such as firearms and poisons.  

Course Description: Lethal means are objects that may be used by individuals experiencing a suicidal crisis. They include things like guns, medications, alcohol, opioids, other substances, ropes, cords or sharp objects. If an individual is in crisis or is having suicidal thoughts, these items can become deadly if easily accessible. Increasing the time and distance between a person in suicidal crisis and their access to lethal means can reduce suicide risk and save lives. This session will provide an overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Keep It Secure program, which promotes awareness about the simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Attendees will also learn and practice skills for lethal means safety counseling (LMSC) a patient-centered approach to promoting safety behaviors by aligning evidence-based recommendations with patients’ preferences and values.     Bio: Monica M. Matthieu Ph.D., LCSW is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University and is a research social worker for the Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).      Matthieu is engaged in research and program evaluation related to VA’s national suicide prevention program, implementation of trauma treatment in the VA, and improving assessment, intervention, and referral to treatment for individuals at risk for suicide in social service and health care settings in the St. Louis metro area. 

Time: 9 a.m.-noon Modality: Zoom  Presenter: Kenya Brumfield-Young, M.L.S., M.S.C.J. and Heather Lewis, M.S.W., Ed.S., BCBA

• Understand the concepts of multi-partiality as it pertains to group dynamics.
• Understand the multi-levels of topical analysis as it pertains to group dynamics.
• Understand and articulate the importance of intention versus impact as it pertains to group dynamics.
• Applying LARA during difficult conversations to help people better understand one another’s position on issues.

Course Description:  One often encounters challenging conversations in classrooms and other workspaces, particularly following high-profile events that spark emotion and intense public reaction. This course focuses on approaching and facilitating conversations with students and other groups related to these events, providing approaches for effectively facilitating them.  

Participants will gain insights into fundamental facilitation strategies such as identifying group dynamics, employing multi-partiality, and utilizing LARA to help navigate these conversations. This knowledge will help participants gain confidence in navigating tough conversations and situations.    Bio: Kenya Brumfield-Young, M.L.S., M.S.C.J. is an assistant professor and the internship coordinator for the criminology/criminal justice program within the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University.     Bio: Heather Lewis, M.S.W., Ed.S., BCBA serves a dual role as the assistant director of field education for students pursuing their M.S.W. or M.S. A.B.A. degrees as well as clinical faculty in the applied behavior analysis program at Saint Louis University. She is a social worker and licensed behavior analyst, consulting in school, home, and clinic-based settings for over 20 years.     Heather develops and supervises behaviorally based programs, with a particular interest in supervision and training of future practitioners. She presents in local and national workshops and conferences covering issues common in the fields of behavior analysis and social work, including supervision and mentorship.   

Time: 1-4 p.m.    Modality: Zoom    Presenter: Maria Morrison, Ph.D., LCSW 

• Articulate the role of trauma in the lives of justice-involved individuals.
• Describe what a trauma-informed approach involves and how it improves health and safety outcomes.
• List and assess specific trauma-informed strategies for working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system. 

Course Description: The criminal justice system touches the lives of millions of Americans, particularly those we work with as social workers. This workshop will present current research findings on the alarmingly high rates of chronic traumatic exposures experienced across the life course by those involved in the criminal justice system and explore why these matter to intervention with this population. It will then discuss the value of a trauma-informed approach and offer specific strategies to use with this population in a range of settings.    Bio: Maria Morrison, Ph.D., LCSW, recently joined the faculty of SLU’s School of Social Work as an assistant professor after 20 years of social work practice.      Morrison is also a senior social worker at the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit human rights organization providing legal services to individuals who have been unjustly sentenced and challenging racial and economic injustice. The focus of both her practice and research is on the trauma of individuals who experience incarceration. 

Time: 9 a.m.-noon   Modality: in person   Presenter: Craig Miner, LPC

• Identify and interpret an individual’s level of readiness for change.
• Articulate best practice interventions based on an individual’s stage of change and level of readiness for change.
• Design stage-based intervention-driven treatment plans. 

Course Description: This learning opportunity will provide a foundation of knowledge on which the clinician can align treatment intervention with an individual’s level of readiness for change. Participants will be moved from simply defining the stage of change to clinically utilizing this common model to develop treatment plans with stage-based, best-practice interventions. While didactic in nature, time will be spent integrating discussion around application throughout with targeted experiential activities for skill-building.    Bio: Craig S. Miner is a licensed professional counselor, a Certified Reciprocal Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor, a Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional - Diplomate and a Medication Awareness Recovery Specialist in Missouri.      He has 30-plus years’ experience in the behavioral health field working with substance use and co-occurring disorder populations. Craig currently serves as the adult outpatient program manager at Places for People. In addition, he works as an adjunct professor at Saint Louis University, teaching courses in substance use disorder interventions and motivational interviewing. His true passion is to move Science to Service while assisting colleagues to become more comfortable and confident utilizing best- and evidence-based practices to help those we serve to achieve recovery and their meaningful “happy” life goals. 

Time: 1-4 p.m. Modality: in person Presenter: Cassie E. Brown, LCSW

• Describe the underlying theory and principles of motivational interviewing.
• Learn and integrate the basic skill set needed to practice MI with good fidelity.
• Analyze clinical scenarios to discern the appropriate application of MI theory, techniques, and skills. 

Course Description: Motivational interviewing is an intervention that has efficacy in a broad range of settings, including integrated behavioral health, substance use disorders treatment, and many stages of psychotherapy. This continuing education opportunity moves participants from no knowledge of motivational interviewing to an insightful grasp of the underlying theory of this evidence-based intervention. Participants will learn basic skills, apply them in scenarios, and even apply open-source tools to identify key markers of fidelity of this intervention.    Bio: Cassie E. Brown, LCSW, is the executive director of NASW-MO.     Cassie’s career in mental health includes in-home therapy with children and families, working at a public psychiatric hospital with adults with mental illness and substance use, and outpatient therapy at a substance use disorders clinic. Her social work has included adjunct teaching, program development, and evaluation. She has provided continuing education for over a decade on topics including self-care, compassion fatigue, supervision, LGBTQ+ clients, substance use disorders, and the stigma of mental illness. Her work with NASW-MO finds her advocating passionately for social work and those the calling serves.  

Registration Notes

Each event is either planned for Zoom or in person at Il Monastero. We reserve the right to change a scheduled in-person session to Zoom due to public health concerns and SLU events mandates. In-person sessions are not offered on Zoom or recorded. We will follow masking and social distancing as indicated for in-person sessions.

Planning to Attend a Workshop

The following details apply to all workshops:

If you require special accommodations or have a question, contact [email protected] .

SLU is a registered social work continuing education sponsor in Missouri and Illinois, license number 159.000573.

Continuing Education Classes & Webinars

Upcoming events.

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Continuing Education Opportunities

Testing resources.

This is not an exhaustive list of all test preparation resources. You may find another resource or delivery method that better fits your learning style. The School of Social Work at Illinois State University does not endorse any particular test preparation resource and does not guarantee a passing exam score by utilizing any of these test preparation resources.

NASW-IL Exam Prep

Virtual and in-person exam prep courses. Material covered relates to both the LSW and LCSW exams.

ASWB Test Prep

Exam guide and online practice exams. Material covered relates to both the LSW and LCSW exams.

Atlanta Center for Wellness Test Prep

Two-day, virtual Prepare for SUCCESS review course. (Please note their website does not specifically indicate if the course covers material for both the LSW and LCSW exams.)

Social Work Licensure

If you are a former student and seeking licensure, the Certification of Education form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office .

Earning CEUs

Once earned, you'll receive your CEU through email. One CE credit is awarded for every classroom contact hour. To preserve the integrity of the learning experience and to comply with the state's certification requirements, attendance for the full session is expected and participants may receive continuing education credit only for hours of actual attendance.

To process your CEUs, you'll provide your license number, payment, and email address when registering for an event.

Partner with Us

We're happy to team up with social agencies to provide continuing education opportunities.

Email us and be sure to include:

• name of the agency
• contact name
• email and phone number
• number of CEU hours
• brief description of the CEU proposal

Training may be used by the following professionals for credit toward licensure requirements:

• Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
• Illinois Licensed Social Workers (LSW)

The School of Social Work is a licensed provider of social work education in the state of Illinois under license #159-000191.

University Resources

Professional Development Program

The Professional Development Program (PDP) at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice provides a variety of meaningful programming to a diverse community of value aligned learners. We seek to equip practitioners with the ability to change harmful or ineffective systems at the national, local, and personal level. Our goal is to provide lifelong learners new skills and knowledge to integrate into their individual and organizational practices, and opportunities to connect with other providers.

The Professional Development Program is a licensed State of Illinois provider of Continuing Education for social workers (LSW/LCSW), clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors (LPC/LCPC). License #s 159.000140, 168.000115, and 268.000004.

Most states have reciprocity with Illinois. It is recommended that professionals outside of Illinois review rules for their licensing board prior to participating to ensure that the content meets their renewal, and/or reciprocity, requirements.

Register for upcoming courses, workshops, and lectures .

Clinical Training Programs

PDP offers two nine-month post-master's programs to prepare for clinical practice or gain specific skills and increase knowledge in two domains:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Practice and Consultation Fellowship

Contextually-Focused Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) Fellowship

Join a Community of Lifelong Learners!     Sign up for our email and mailing lists

Accommodations

Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in a program should  contact the Professional Development Program office  at least one week in advance of the event for assistance.

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How to Register

• Our Grand Rounds programs accredited by the ACCME also are certified for Social Work Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) by the Illinois Board of Professional Regulation, License number 159-000112. These Social Work CEU credits may be used by affiliated reciprocal agencies as approved by their professional licensing boards.
• Additional programs may be certified for Social Work CEU credits under the license held by the Department of Psychiatry through the Illinois Board of Professional Regulation. These programs are posted on the Department’s calendar/schedule.

For more information or to subscribe to the Department of Psychiatry’s Grand Rounds events, contact:

Virginia Quiroz

Education manager.

Continuing Education

Professional development, professional development (non-credit).

Professional (non-credit) programs offer corporate training, workforce advancement and online certificates without applying for admission to the University.

• Upcoming Professional (non-credit) Programs
• Alternative Digital Credentials

Licensed Professionals

We host a variety of workshops and conferences that provide continuing education for licensed professionals. SIUE is an approved provider of Continuing Education Units (CEU)   by the State of Illinois for social work and psychology   as well as general CEUs and Professional Development Hours (PDH) for other professions. If you are licensed/certified in any other state or province, please refer to the regulations in that state or province or the national board requirements to determine whether offerings will qualify for CEU credits.

• Upcoming Events for Licensed Professionals
• Recorded Events for Licensed Professionals -  Past events are available to view to obtain CEU/PDH hours . Register and pay for a course and receive the link to view the course and complete CEU/PDH requirements.  Please contact Cindy Cobetto, [email protected] , 618-650-2164 with any questions.

Degree Programs

You can also advance your career by enrolling in one of our top-rated degree programs.

• Online Programs
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• Corporate Partnerships

A corporate partnership is an exclusive contractual agreement between SIUE and a company for the sole purpose of building mutually beneficial relationships that align industry needs with University resources.

• Executive Education

The School of Business Executive Education programs offer a wide variety of programs in project management, leadership, technical skills and much more.

• Environmental Resources Training Center

The Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) offers a program that consists of two semesters of operations training, followed by a ten-week internship at a treatment plant.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the  Illinois Board of Higher Education .

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Loyola University Chicago

School of social work, step-swpf grant.

Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work is thrilled to announce a new $45,000 grant to train social work supervisors in northern Lake County. The Supervision Training and Education Program (STEP) is a collaborative effort with Adelphi University's Social Work Practice Fellows Program. The first cohort will begin in Spring 2024.

The grant will be used to build the skills and competencies of at least 24 recipients at healthcare and social service agencies/organizations using best practice supervision. Licensed Clinical Social Workers will be given priority when applying, but clinical supervisors in social service agencies are also eligible.

STEP-SWPF provides an intensive learning experience for supervisors over the course of 9 weeks for a total of 36 Continuing Education hours. Programming is in person located at the University Center of Lake County: 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake, IL, 60030. Training will focus on:

• Advancing skills in individual and group supervision
• Supervision to advance knowledge of mental health and substance use challenges impacting individuals and families across the life course
• Trauma-informed supervision through a social justice lens
• Teaching and Implementing Self Care and Professional Resilience
• Supervision to advance knowledge of health challenges impacting individuals and families across the life course
• Teaching assessment and planning skills in work with individuals and families
• Furthering supervisors’ capacity to address performance and organizational challenges

More information and a link to apply can be found here .

Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Fall 2024 Cohort

The School of Social Work is accepting applications for the Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Fall 2024 cohort. This immersive year-long professional development certificate program provides licensed practitioners and clinical supervisors the training needed to expand and update clinical skills, enrich care provided to clients, and enhance one’s overall practice. The framework incorporates multiple theoretical disciplines and offers a method of case conceptualization that includes various listening and intervention techniques from a variety of treatment approaches. Comprised of three learning formats (on-site residency, virtual small-group consultation, and webinars) the program enables participants to continue their daily professional practices while earning this Advanced Psychotherapy Certificate.

The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor 72 hours continuing education for psychologists. ​Social workers licensed in the state of Illinois receive 72 hours of credit through Loyola University School of Social Work. Social Workers licensed outside of Illinois should check with their state licensing board to determine where CE credits approved by the APA and/or the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) are accepted. For more information, visit  The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy website  or contact Katelyn Tippett at  [email protected]  or Terry Northcut at  [email protected] .

Attend one of our six Open House sessions!

‌spring 2024 ceu programming, the spring 2024 group work series : february 16-april 13.

The Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work is proud to announce the Group Work Spring 2024 Continuing Education Series. With industry-leading experts guiding the way, this series aims to enhance the skills and expertise of anyone who works with groups. Group work remains a common dynamic for social workers, educators, administrators, and millions of other workers across the country. There is a 20% discount for anyone who registers for three or more sessions and scholarships are potentially available upon inquiry.

Knowing Women From Collectivist Cultures: Focus on South Asian Women and Girls : March 15, April 19

The School of Social Work announces a new Four-Part continuing education series titled  Knowing Women from Collectivist Cultures: Focus on South Asian Women and Girls.  Curated by Associate Professor Shweta Singh, M.S.W., L.S.W., Ph.D ., Director of Empowering Women Certificate Program, this education series explores unique challenges, identities, cultures, and strengths of working women from emerging economies, with a focus on the Indian Sub-Continent or South Asia.  The participatory workshops are delivered in FIVE sessions.   Each session offers a comparison between Women who belong to developing economies and collectivist cultures.

Advancing Psychotherapy:  How and Why to Advocate for Depth Therapies : Collaboration with The Institute of Advanced Psychotherapy and PsIAN (The Psychotherapy Action Network): March 15

            As mental health topics have become part of mainstream public discourse, it is increasingly important for clinicians to have the knowledge and tools to advocate for access to quality therapies of depth, insight, and relationship amidst a proliferation of quick fix or spurious alternatives. In this 3-hour seminar, presenters will equip participants to effectively advocate for depth psychotherapies from multiple perspectives, including scientifically and institutionally, from a marketing and public relations standpoint, and through an administrative and advocacy lens. In the first part of the seminar, Dr. Passi will discuss the topic of evidence-based practice in psychotherapy. She will critically evaluate how psychodynamic approaches measure up to “gold standard” CBT approaches, as well as how polarized perspectives on these issues may play out institutionally. Dr. Michaels will present her original market research on public perceptions of psychotherapy. Based on both qualitative and quantitative data, Dr. Michaels will share key insights on how messaging or visibility might be geared to engage the public more effectively, including lessons learned about the attitudes and expectations people have towards therapy, which benefits matter most, what their misperceptions and biases are, and what they know and don’t know about mental health and therapy. Finally, Dr. Gallagher will discuss issues related to mental health parity, access to care, and insurance reimbursement.

Internship Supervisor Appreciation Lunch: April 19

Topics in suicidology: may 10, arts based ceu series: may 14, 15, and 20.

Please contact Caroline Gosselin at [email protected]  for more information

  Cancellation Policy :

Participants must cancel prior to five business days of the workshop date in order to receive a refund.

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Illinois Social Work Continuing Education

Welcome illinois social workers.

Free State Social Work is approved as a continuing education provider by the  Association of Social Work Boards Approved Continuing Education Program  (provider #1235) and the  National Board for Certified Counselors  (provider #6605).  We are also approved by the  Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board  (provider 10-001) and the  Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling  (CE Provider # 50-13565).

Does the Illinois Board accept courses from ASWB-approved continuing education providers?

How many hours can i earn with on-line ce courses.

You can earn all of your hours with online programs.

Do you offer an Illinois Sexual Harrassment Prevention course?

Yes. It is available at https://www.freestatesocialwork.com/?p=18606 .

Do you offer an implicit bias course?

Yes.  It is available at https://www.freestatesocialwork.com/?p=42196 .

Where can I find the DCFS free mandated reporter training?

You can find information on the free DCFS online mandated reporter training at: https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/safekids/reporting/Pages/index.aspx.

How Can I Get Started?

All of our courses are $5.99 per credit hour.  We also offer an unlimited package. One year of unlimited courses is $74.99 and two years of unlimited courses are $124.99 .   Click here for more information about how to get started  or you can  browse our complete course catalog .

Where Can I Review Illinois Social Work Continuing Education Requirements?

You can review Illinois social work continuing education requirements at https://www.idfpr.com/Forms/DPR/CE-SW.pdf .

You can find information on the new Sexual Harassment Prevention Training CE requirement at:   https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/faq/dpr/dpr-sexual-harassment-prevention-ce.pdf.

Beginning 1/1/23, healthcare professionals will need to complete one hour of implicit bias training. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=325

Beginning, 1/1/23, healthcare professionals who have direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and above will need one hour of CE training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=325

You can contact the board at:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

1-800-560-6420

Please remember that we have done our best to research your state’s licensing guidelines. Licensing regulations can change frequently including guidelines about how many hours you can earn on-line. Most jurisdictions require a certain number of hours in ethics and other areas of practice. The final authority for approving any continuing education activity rests with your state board. Even those states that endorse the ACE program may have exceptions in terms of the courses that they will accept. It is ultimately your responsibility to understand the licensing regulations in your state.

Does Free State Social Work offer Illinois Social Work CEUs?  Trainings?  Contact Hours?  Credit Hours?

Different jurisdictions have different definitions.  For some jurisdictions, the term CEU consists of ten credit hours.  At Free State Social Work, we offer continuing education credit hours and we estimate that each credit hour will require one hour of reading.

At Free State Social Work, we offer great online continuing education for social workers, counselors, and therapists.

All of our courses are $5.99 per credit hour. Please browse our complete course catalog or use the category links below.

We also offer an unlimited package! One year of unlimited courses is $74.99 and two years are $124.99. Our unlimited packages do not require you to agree to an ongoing subscription or automatic renewals. Click here for more details about our unlimited packages .

If you would like to sample one of our courses, you can try a free course here .

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• Anti-Racism, Anti-Discrimination
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•       New Jersey Approved

• NASW-IL Staff

NEW! 2024 Social Work Rule Changes Approved for Social Work Professionals

The following changes were made by Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to the Administrative Code sections that apply to social work (Social Work “Rules”). These changes were approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) on May 14, 2024, will have significant implications for new and existing social workers.

NASW-IL members receive real-time notices about these changes as announced by IDFPR. To get these alerts which save YOU time and money, join/rejoin NASW today !

The following highlights the most significant changes as passed by IDFPR:

IDFPR Rule Change: “Professional clinical experience obtained while an applicant is located in Illinois must be supervised by an Illinois licensed Clinical Social Worker.”

What this means : If you are working towards earning your LCSW while living in Illinois and currently collecting your initial 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, after May 14, 2024, those hours MUST  be supervised by an LCSW licensed in Illinois.

Scenario 1 : You are seeing clients in located outside of Illinois via telehealth, and your supervisor does not  hold an LCSW from Illinois.

After May 14, 2024, your supervision hours acquired from this supervisor would not qualify for   supervised clinical experience toward your LCSW. If this scenario applies to you, we strongly recommend  having your current supervisor complete the VE-SW form  (Supporting document for LCSW licensure application) now, then contracting with an Illinois LCSW immediately for all future hours.

Scenario 2 : You are seeing clients in Illinois, and your supervisor has a clinical social work license in another state but not  in Illinois.

Your hours would not count.

IDFPR Rule Change: “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.”

What this means : If you hold an LCSW in Illinois, you are now required to obtain a total of 6 hours of continuing education on a clinical supervision during your lifetime. This must be acquired before November 30, 2027, for 1) all current existing LCSWs, and 2) all new LCSWs licensed before  December 1, 2025. This new requirement aligns the social work profession with current requirements for other mental health professions in Illinois. The department will allow you to show proof of prior trainings to satisfy this requirement as long as you have a valid certificate from an authorized provider. There are currently no specific requirements regarding content of the training, just that the training is on clinical supervision.

For existing LCSWs or LCSWs who were licensed before  December 1, 2025: Your 6 hours may be split between the 2023–2025 and 2025–2027 licensure cycles—you just have to obtain a total of 6 hours before November 30, 2027.

For all LCSWs licensed after  November 30, 2025: You will need to acquire 6 hours of clinical supervision training for your second  renewal. This is a one-time requirement as once you have acquired your 6 hours, you will need no additional hours.

Scenario 1 : You have obtained 6 or more hours of continuing education on clinical supervision in another state or here in Illinois from an approved CE provider (like the NASW-Illinois Chapter or an NASW affiliate), and you have a copy of your CEU certificate.

You do not need to acquire new continuing education hours on clinical supervision, but if your previous hours were acquired before the current licensure cycle, you cannot count these hours toward the 30 CE hours required for licensure renewal.

Scenario 2 : You took trainings on clinical supervision in the past, but you are unable to find a certificate and/or it was held by a non-approved provider.

You would need to acquire 6 new hours of clinical supervision training before November 30, 2027.

Scenario 3 : You have an LSW but have not yet acquired your LCSW.

You do not have to fulfill this requirement until after you acquire your LCSW.

IDFPR Rule Change: “One CE hour shall equal 50 minutes.”

What this means : This change from IDFPR aligns social work profession requirements with those of other Illinois professions. To acquire one continuing education (CE) hour, a course must last for at least 50 minutes.

Scenario 1 : A class you were attending ended a few minutes early. Under this new change, as long as the educational content of the course lasted for at least 50 minutes, the CE provider can issue 1 CE hour.

Scenario 2 : A class you attend runs a full 60 minutes. The NASW-Illinois Chapter will still recognize this as 1 CE hour as we do not prorate courses for less than half-hour increments.

Scenario 3 : A full day lecture without breaks runs for 6 full hours. Under this change, the CEU provider could provide 7 CEUs

IDFPR Rule Change: “CE completed remotely whether live or asynchronous (e.g., self-study. book-study, or computer/online-based course) is not eligible for out-of-state CE credit. Such programs must be provided by an approved CE provider.”

What this means : When you take an in-person course from a non-approved CE provider, you may apply to have the department review the content of that course and potentially give approval to have that course count for CEs toward your license renewal. This would entail completing a form and paying a fee to the department. Under this new department change, if that course was not attended in person (i.e., the course was completed remotely), it will no longer be eligible for CEUs.

Scenario 1 : You take an online course offered in another state from an approved CE provider (like the NASW-Illinois Chapter or an NASW affiliate).

This course would be accepted by IDFPR for CEs toward your Illinois licensure renewal—nothing changes with this rules amendment so long as the provider is an IDFPR-approved, licensed CE provider.

Sce nario 2 : You attend a mental health conference in another state in-person that is hosted by an entity who is not a licensed CE provider in Illinois.

Under this new rule change, you may apply to IDFPR, pay a fee, and have this conference considered for approval by IDFPR for CEUs in Illinois.

Scenario 3 : You attend remotely a mental health conference in another state hosted by an entity who is not a licensed provider in Illinois.

Under this new rule change, IDFPR will not consider this course for CEUs in Illinois. 

IDFPR Rule Change: “A temporary incapacitating illness documented by a licensed physician. A second, consecutive request for a CE waiver pursuant to this subsection (g)(2)(B) shall be prima facie proof that the renewal applicant has a physical or mental illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of cognitive or motor skills that results in the licensee's inability to practice social work or clinical social work with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, in violation of subsection 19(1)(r) of the Act, and shall be grounds for denial of the renewal application or other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action.”

What this means : IDFPR allows several waiver options for social workers who are unable to complete their required CEUs for licensure. One of those waiver options is for a “temporary incapacitating illness.” With this change, the department may take action against your license if you apply for this waiver twice consecutively.

IDFPR Rule Change: Rules were updated to reference the most current versions of the NASW Code of Ethics  and the Clinical Social Work Association Code of Ethics .

What this means : Social workers should review both codes of ethics for changes as adherence to the most current version is now linked to licensure requirements. Current editions include 2021 for NASW and 2016 for CSWA; previously they were linked to a 1999 edition for NASW and 1997 edition for CSWA.

NEW! Clarification on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Training Requirement

Effective January 1, 2023, with the signing of Public Act 102-0399, the department requires a one-hour (minimum) training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for health care professionals who provide health care services to, and have direct patient interactions with, adult populations age 26 or older in the practice of their profession. This training must be at least one hour in length and fulfill content-related requirements as listed in The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. A health care professional may count this one hour for completion of this course toward meeting the minimum credit hours required for continuing education.

Additionally, effective January 1, 2025, with the signing of Public Act 103-0531, Illinois legislators decided to flex out the cycle in which the Alzheimer's disease and other dementias training is required. This was done to alleviate some of the CE requirements on health care professionals. As each individual will vary on when they have completed the training, it is up to the individual to keep track to ensure they are fulfilling the department’s requirements.

What this means : For those for whom the Alzheimer’s training is required:

If you are renewing your social work license for the FIRST time: You must complete the course sometime before the end of that first license renewal period, and thereafter once in every three licensure cycles (i.e., 6 years).

If you are renewing your license NOT for the first time: You must take and complete the course once every three licensure cycles (i.e., 6 years); it will subsequently need to be retaken every six years.

To help clarify which licensure cycle applies to you, check out the handy chart in the “More About the Specialty CEU Training Requirements” section on our CEU Requirements page  which lists out exact licensure cycle years and when you’ll need to plan to take your next Alzheimer’s training.

Take the NASW-IL recorded training, Social Work with Persons Living with Dementia and Their Families: Challenges and Opportunities .

Other IDFPR Updates:

Rules to utilize the alternative to the ASWB clinical exam have been finalized. No changes have been made to the process since our January update ( “Ask NASW-IL: How can I utilize the alternative to the ASWB exam to get my LCSW?” ).

Requirements of a licensee seeking restoration of an LSW or LCSW license was which has been expired for 5 years or less was added. This language will be updated in the coming weeks to the Reinstate/Restore a Lapsed License section of our Licensure Steps page .

Have More Questions?

Please note that all specific questions concerning licensure and individual licenses or a particular license application needs to be properly directed to IDFPR as they are ultimately the licensing board who approve of licenses for Illinois. The NASW-Illinois Chapter website also has a plethora of information relating to licensure, CEU requirements, supervision requirements, the licensing process, testing procedures, and more. Go to the NASW-IL Licensure page to read more.

>> One of the biggest benefits of NASW membership is consultation access for questions relating to the social work profession. Become a member today! https://www.socialworkers.org/nasw/join

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IDFPR Licensure Renewal Requirements for 2023–2025

Ask NASW-IL: Will this remote program be accepted for CEUs by IDFPR?

Social Work Rule Changes for Social Work Professionals Coming Soon

Licenses for nurses, social workers still pending in big state backlog

It does no good to help train and attract much-needed professionals if the illinois department of financial & professional regulation can’t figure out how to approve first-time licenses and renewals in a timely fashion..

Nurses, social workers and other much-needed health care professionals are experiencing long waits to get their Illinois state licenses issued for the first time or renewed.

Mary Altaffer/AP

Back in April, the executive director of the American Nurses Association Illinois, Susan Swart, told my associate Isabel Miller that advanced practice registered nurses are losing their jobs because of ongoing and severe state licensing delays.

Swart said some of those nurses are waiting “a year to 18 months” to get their licenses from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

“The nurses apply for [jobs] because they’re accepting this position, and [licensing] is taking so long, they’re losing positions,” Swart said.

And it’s not just nurses having problems getting state licenses.

Licensed social workers are not required to take an exam to obtain their state licenses. They self-report background issues, so they aren’t required to undergo state background checks. Their only real licensing requirement is to show they’ve obtained a master’s degree in social work.

And yet, the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation still takes three to four months to process license applications for LSWs, according to Kyle Hillman with the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The applications are “the easiest thing to review,” Hillman said. It’s basically a rubber-stamp operation.

Needless to say, these delays are completely unacceptable. The General Assembly passed legislation last year to give the IDFPR some breathing room on licensing renewals so it could focus its efforts on first-time licenses. And yet, here we (still) are.

In response to Hillman, an IDFPR spokesperson revealed the agency has only eight workers processing license applications for 80 health-related professions.

That’s an astoundingly low number of employees for the immense task they’re charged with tackling.

For 80 health-related professions?

What the heck?

There are thousands upon untold thousands of people in licensed health-related professions here. No wonder people have to wait months on end for their license approvals.

Up until that response, IDFPR would only say the agency was “under-staffed” when groups like the National Association of Social Workers tried to find out how many employees it had assigned to process applications. Now those groups know, and they’re not happy.

The IDFPR also previously refused to tell the association if it was separately processing the no-brainer licensed social worker applications to speed things along. But the agency’s statement admitted the social worker apps were in the big pile, along with all the other health-related professions.

That makes no sense. Take a few days and get the easy stuff out of the way, for crying out loud.

State far behind in handling routine paperwork

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has talked a good game about workforce development. But it does no good to help train and attract nurses, social workers and a host of other much-needed professionals if his licensing agency can’t even figure out how to deal with fruit that is literally sitting on the ground, let alone the low-hanging variety.

The IDFPR spokesperson claimed the licensed social worker processing time is down 60% from eight months ago. But it’s still a ridiculously long wait.

Pritzker’s proposed state budget includes money “for the procurement of a new licensing system” for IDFPR, but that project is way behind schedule.

Last year, the legislature gave IDFPR three months to build a new computer software system and have that system up and running in three months. Well, the department is now at its deadline to have the system running, but it hasn’t yet even finished the procurement process to buy the software.

And the governor’s proposed budget would only increase IDFPR’s headcount by a mere 28 people across the department’s four divisions (after significant hiring this fiscal year).

Meanwhile, a February report by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute’s “The Illinois Update” revealed that more than half of Illinois registered nurses are over the age of 55, and one-third say they plan to leave the profession within 12 months. As a result, the report said Illinois “is projected to see an RN shortage of 15,000 by 2025.”

Last week, the General Assembly passed legislation ( HB5047 ) that would extend the time period that license-pending practical nurses and license-pending registered nurses could work to six months, up from three, before their employment is terminated. But even that may not be enough time for IDFPR.

According to the governor’s proposed budget, the number of licensed professionals outside of cannabis is expected to be 1.35 million people by the end of next fiscal year. But that relies on the state getting its act together.

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.

Send letters to [email protected]

• Mandatory driving tests for Illinois’ older adults are unnecessary and unfair

The Ohio State University

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• 988-CareLine Training Series

The Ohio CareLine is an emotional support call line created by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and answered by Ohio community agencies. We are pleased to provide this 988-CareLine Development Training Series. These free trainings are designed for 988, CareLine and crisis call line workers. In a generous partnership with The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, The Ohio State College of Social Work is presenting a series of free, online training opportunities to crisis call line workers.

Our objective is to provide both live and self-paced trainings that will help provide opportunities for professional development, increase confidence, expand individual knowledge bases, and enhance the existing skills of call line workers.

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Scheduled Live Trainings

Free live webinars will be available through September 30, 2024. Stay tuned for more sessions coming soon! Please note that effective March 2024, to help foster an engaging learning experience with enhanced participation, starting in March, live 988 trainings will be capped at 300 participants per session. If you miss a live training, we will be converting live sessions into free self-paced courses that you’ll be able to take at your own convenience!

NEW – Reviving the Burned-Out Helping Professional MAY 31, 2024 | 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET

NEW – Perinatal Mental Health Care for Black Moms and Birthing Persons JUNE 11, 2024 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET

NEW – Managing Crisis: Practical Applications Using DBT Skills for De-escalation Over the Phone   JUNE 13, 2024 | 1 – 4:15 p.m. ET

NEW – Understanding the Intersection of Substance Use and Trauma JUNE 21, 2024 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET

NEW – Compassionate Conversations: Supporting Those Affected by Pregnancy and Infant Loss JUNE 26, 2024 | 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET

NEW – Supporting Individuals Grieving Overdose Loss JULY 26, 2024 | 10 a.m. – Noon ET

Free Self-paced Trainings

Free self-paced trainings (built from recordings of live webinars) are available below. You can browse individual self-paced trainings below or view our full catalog of 988-CareLine self-paced courses here !

Developed in 2024

NEW! –   Safety Assessments & Safety Planning: Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Suicide, and Homicide

NEW! –  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Adolescents

NEW! –  Communicating with Dysregulated Callers: Enhancing Calm Through an Understanding of State-Dependent Functioning

NEW! –  Wellness and Self-Care for Helping Professionals

NEW! –  Helping Skills Basics & Empathy-Building for Call Line Workers and Other Helping Professionals

NEW! –  Strengths-Based Assessment for Suicide and Self-Injury

NEW! –  Counseling Child and Adult Survivors of Sexual Victimization

NEW! –  Building Tolerance and Acceptance

Supportive Care for Suicide Loss Survivors

Trauma 101: What Crisis Workers Should Know

Supporting Clients Who Experience Complicated Grief

Companioning Grieving Children and Teens

Working with Latino/Latina/Latinx Populations

Supporting Clients who Experience Poverty & Homelessness

Developed in 2023

Caring for the Caregiver

The Not-So-Random Things Parents/Caregivers May Call You About on the Phone Lines

Creating Work-Life Equilibrium

Relationship Drama 101: Considerations for Supporting Callers Dealing with the Loss and Upsets of Dating and Marital Relationships

Understanding and Managing Stress in College Students

Spiritual Competence on the Phone Lines

Creating a Safe Space for LGBTQIA+ Callers

Safety Planning with Callers in Crisis: Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence

Intersectionality of Identity and Supporting Callers with Diversity-Related Stressors

Worried About Someone?: Helping Third Party Callers

Self-Injury and Suicide: Critical Implications for Risk Identification

Crisis Intervention & Advocacy for Survivors of Sexual Assault

Supporting Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions

Safety First: Practical, Creative Ways to Promote Client Safety

What’s Trauma Got to Do with It?: Understanding Client Behavior Through the Lens of Trauma and Unmet Needs

Perinatal Mental Health Complications: The Most Common Complication of Pregnancy and Childbirth

Understanding and Preventing Suicide in Older Adulthood

Surviving Infidelity: How to Help Callers Endure Relationship Turmoil

Strategies for Responding to Disruptive Callers

Substance Use Trends Among Adults

Healthy Boundaries for Helping Professionals

Mental Health Implications of Current Events for Kids and Teens

Family Conflict: Everyone Has It But When Does It Go Too Far?

Abuse in Later Life: Domestic Violence and Older Adults

“You Again?”: Setting Healthy Limits with Frequent Callers

Tough Talks with Teens

Developed in 2022

Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence

Understanding Grief: Dispelling Myths and Offering Support

Promoting Whole Person Wellness in Older Adulthood: Challenges & Opportunities

Documentation: Beyond the Basics

Human Trafficking: Identifying Signs and Responding to Survivors in a Hotline Setting

The Bias in Me: Understanding the Impact of Implicit Bias

Behavioral Health Crisis Care Considerations for Children in Rural Appalachia

Helping During Times of Crisis: Strategies for Assessment and Intervention

How to Support Those who Suffer from Panic Attacks and Anxiety

Empathy on the Phone: Using Your Voice to De-escalate and Promote Safety

Documentation Basics

Strategies for Preventing and Addressing Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Vicarious Trauma

Call Management in an Unmanageable World

Strategies for Responding Effectively to CareLine Callers with Substance Use Disorder

Compassion Resilience and Self-Care

9-1-1 and 9-8-8: A Team Approach to Crisis Care

The Ethics of Self-Care

De-Escalating Individuals With Disruptive Behaviors

Helping Callers With Dual Diagnoses in Crisis: How to Support Callers With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions

Developing a Self-Care Plan

Helping Callers with Personality Disorders: Four Strategies for Effective Intervention

Developed in 2021

Suicide Prevention for Veterans, Part One

Suicide Prevention for Veterans, Part Two

Helping Veterans Through Mental Health Crises & PTSD

Boundaries and Self-Care for Helping Professionals

Brief Interventions to Help Coach Someone with Anxiety Over the Phone

Crisis Interventions & Ethical Dilemmas for Phone Line Staff

Active Listening – Connect with Anyone About Anything

Best Practices for Engaging with Youth and Adolescents

Working with the Anxious Client – Concrete Tools to Integrate into Your Practice

The Work of Racial Justice on the Phone Lines

Communicating with Clients with Developmental Disabilities

Culture Critique and Call Commentary – Sexual Violence Basics and Call Advocacy Theory and Techniques

What You Need to Know About Grief and Loss

“Thank you so much for clear and useful information that can be implemented into practice immediately.” -CareLine Trainee

Accreditation

• The Ohio State University College of Social Work, (Provider: RCST111747), is an approved* provider for The State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board. *All courses hosted by CSWCE are approved for this Board unless the course description states otherwise.
• The Ohio State University College of Social Work, (Provider: 50-24068), is an approved* provider for The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (OCDP) Board. *Courses that have been approved for this Board will note the appropriate content areas in the course description.

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