Illinois · LCSW Renewal

Illinois LCSW CEU Requirements (2026–2027)

Illinois LCSWs need 30 hours of continuing education every two years, with six one-hour or three-hour buckets that have to be filled every cycle plus a one-time six-hour clinical supervision training at second renewal. First renewal is exempt. Here is the verified breakdown from 68 IAC §1470.95.

Last verified: April 2026 · Source: 225 ILCS 20/11; 68 Ill. Admin. Code §1470.95; 68 Ill. Admin. Code §1130 Subpart E

The short version

The remaining 21 hours can come from any course content relevant to the practice of social work or clinical social work, delivered by an approved CE sponsor. Post-graduate university coursework counts too, at 15 CE hours per semester hour or 10 per quarter hour.

Every-cycle requirements

• 3 hours, Social Work Practice Ethics. Required every renewal under 68 IAC §1470.95.
• 3 hours, Cultural Competence. Required every renewal.
• 1 hour, Sexual Harassment Prevention training. Statewide mandate under 68 IAC §1130 Subpart E, applied to every IDFPR health and behavioral-health credential by PA 100-0762.
• 1 hour, Implicit Bias Awareness training. Statewide mandate under PA 101-0221.

Every-3rd-renewal: Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias

Illinois adds a 1-hour Alzheimer's and Other Dementias training (PA 102-0399) that only has to be completed once every three renewal cycles. Still Licensed surfaces this one as a recurring requirement because the data model does not yet distinguish every-cycle from every-Nth-cycle rules. Better to over-prompt than under-prompt, but check your last two renewals before deciding whether it is due this cycle.

Clinical supervision training (LCSW only, one-time)

All LCSWs must complete a 6-hour clinical supervision training once in their career. Two deadlines apply:

• Licensed before December 1, 2025: complete by November 30, 2027.
• Licensed on or after December 1, 2025: complete by your second renewal.

This is a lifetime requirement. Once completed, it does not repeat. LSWs without the clinical license do not have this requirement.

First renewal is exempt

No CE is required for the first renewal of an LSW or LCSW license. The 30-hour rule kicks in at second renewal and every renewal after that.

Reporting to IDFPR

Illinois does not use CE Broker for social work. At renewal you certify a yes/no that you completed the required CE. Most licensees are never asked to submit proof, but IDFPR can request it during a random audit, a license restoration, or a disciplinary matter. Keep every certificate.

Approved sponsors

CE must come from a sponsor approved under 68 IAC §1470.95(c)(1) or an accepted equivalent, including NASW and affiliates, ASWB and affiliates, AAMFT affiliates, accredited colleges and universities, state agencies, and Illinois-licensed Social Work CE Sponsors (9-digit license numbers starting with 159). Approved Professional Counselor, Clinical Psychologist, and Marriage and Family Therapy sponsors are also accepted for social work CE.

Out-of-state CE

In-person CE attended outside Illinois through an unapproved sponsor can be submitted for individual IDFPR approval. Remote, distance, or online courses must come from a sponsor already approved under 68 IAC §1470.95, even if the course is delivered live.

Carryover

Illinois does not allow CE hours to carry over between cycles. Hours beyond 30 in a given biennium do not bank toward the next one.

Documentation

Keep every certificate of completion for the full renewal cycle plus one additional cycle. IDFPR may request proof at any point within that window.

Board links

This page is informational. Rules change. Verify against the IDFPR — Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board before acting on anything here.