Testing and Test Preparation
If you have questions on licensing (regardless of membership status) , please contact the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) at 217.785.0800.
Testing
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The State of Illinois uses examinations developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): the Masters examination for LSWs and the Clinical examination for LCSWs. Tests are administered at sites throughout the state utilizing a computer touch screen. Each examination is graded immediately following completion and the participant informed of the results on-site.
As of December 1, 2009 applying for the examination in writing to IDFPR is the first step in obtaining licensure as an LSW or LCSW (application can be downloaded on the IDFPR website). Individuals who plan to sit for their LSW immediately after graduating with their MSW must be sure to apply for the examination through IDFPR after they have officially graduated from their program. Once a letter of approval is received from IDFPR, register for an examination and/or receive a testing handbook by contacting the ASWB Candidate Registration Center toll-free at 888-5SW-EXAM (888-579-3926).
NOTE: No changes to the ASWB examinations that reflect only DSM-5 will be made before January 2015.
FEES (as of Jan. 1st 2010)
IDFPR Application Fee $ 50.00
Testing Service Administration Fee $230.00 Masters Examination
$260.00 Clinical Examination
License Renewal (every 2 years) $60.00
License Reinstatement $ 20.00
Test Preparation
NASW IL LSW/LCSW Review Course (8 CEUs)
The NASW Illinois Chapter LSW/LCSW Review Course is presented in an intensive eight-hour lecture from 8:00am to 5:00pm and offered approximately 10 times a year.
The NASW IL Licensing Test Prep Review Course is highly rated by our participants and is the longest running review course in the state. It is a customized unique one-day course that provides information on the format and structure of the LSW or LCSW examination, thereby reducing stress associated with the testing conditions. The workshop will help participants develop successful test-taking strategies for correctly answering examination questions and will review material in each of the content areas on the examination to assist with recall of information and to help focus subsequent study. Content areas will include: theories of human development; assessment, diagnosis and treatment; psychopathology; psychopharmacology; communication; professional ethics; management and administration; research; and diversity. Practice questions will be reviewed to illustrate test-taking strategies and reinforce content material. A NASW IL proprietary 186 page manual and other materials will be distributed at the workshop (only available to attendees and included in the fee). Sample questions and some group discussion are used to illustrate the lecture material.
Classes DO have the potential to fill up, so please be sure to register as soon as possible. New dates are added each month so be sure to keep checking back.
An optional 8 CEUs are available for the NASW IL LSW/LCSW Review Course.
TO REGISTER
To register for an upcoming review course, scroll down to the "Calendar." Click the date you are interested in registering for. New review course dates are added each month so if there are no dates that fit your current schedule, be sure to keep checking back.
Currently we are not able to offer a regular review course downstate, however if your orginization or school would be interested in hosting a future review course downstate please contact the association (class size minimums will be required). Please check back on this site for new review course dates as they are announced. You can also see review courses under the CEU Opportunities page.
COURSE FEES
Please Note: Review Course Fees Increase June 1, 2013.
$105.00 - NASW Illinois Chapter Member
$150.00 - Nonmember
(VISA OR MASTER CARD ACCEPTED)
Additional $15.00 for Nonmembers if seeking CEUs (8) (FREE FOR MEMBERS)
NOTE ON ACCOMMODATIONS
If you require accommodations to permit your attendance/participation, please provide a written request along with a completed registration form and conference payment at least 30 days prior to the registration deadline for the workshop. Requests received after this deadline may not be able to be processed or fulfilled in time for the activity.
CANCELLATION POLICY
WHILE THE NASW UNDERSTANDS THAT EMERGENCIES DO OCCUR, ONCE A PARTICIPANT HAS BEEN REGISTERED AND IS EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE REVIEW COURSE, THE NASW HAS FACTORED THEIR ATTENDANCE INTO COST ALREADY ABSORBED BY THE CHAPTER. THEREFORE, OUR POLICY IS AS FOLLOWS: CANCELLATIONS RECEIVED MORE THAN 30 DAYS OUT FROM THE COURSE SHALL BE REFUNDED TO THE PARTICIPANT AT 100% COST. ANY CANCELLATION RECEIVED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE ORIGINAL COURSE REGISTERED FOR WILL NOT BE REFUNDED, HOWEVER THE PARTICIPANT MAY APPLY THE FEE TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO COURSES CURRENTLY SCHEDULED. ANY "NO SHOW" FOR THE REVIEW COURSE WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND NOR THE OPTION TO ATTEND A FUTURE REVIEW COURSE AT THE ABSORBED COST.
UPCOMING REVIEW COURSE DATES
The NASW Illinois Chapter review course is held roughly once every one to two months. If there are no dates that fit your current schedule, keep checking back on the site for new courses as they are added. NASW Illinois Chapter members are the first to find out about new review course dates with monthly e-mail alerts, plus members get a discount on the review course. Become a member today!
