Illinois Social Work CE Requirements

Illinois social workers (LSW and LCSW) are required to complete 30 hours of approved continuing education every 2 years.

Illinois social work licenses (LSW and LCSW) must be renewed by November 30th of each odd year.

During each 2-year renewal period, Illinois social workers must complete:

• 3 hours in Ethics (CE4Less offers other ethics courses, including Ethics & Telemental Health – see here for all available ethics courses)
• 3 hours in Cultural Competence (for a full listing of all available cultural competence courses, see here)
• 1 hour in Implicit Bias training (CE4Less’ version of this course is under development)
• 1 hour in Sexual Harassment Prevention

Additionally, social workers who provide care to patients aged 26 years or older are required to complete at least 1 hour in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer disease and other dementias.

Finally, social workers who are considered mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect are required to complete training in the subject within 3 months of becoming a mandated reporter, as well as every 3 years thereafter.  This training is only available through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.  Available here.  For social workers licensed in multiple states, CE4Less also offers a course in Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting.

For more information, please contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Social Work Division at (888) 473-4858, see their website (available here) for additional information about your license or renewal requirements, or see Illinois’ rules and regulations relating to social work licensure and continuing education.