Requisitos de CEU

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Current CEU Requirements

NASW-IL CE Worksheet for Licensure (to come)​

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

More About the Specialty CEU Training Requirements​​

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CEU Requirements for 2025–2027 Licensure​​

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IMPORTANT NOTE: As of this writing on December 1, 2025, IDFPR has not announced new or revised continuing education requirements for the current licensure cycle. However, we have updated the language on this page in an effort to make CEU requirements even clearer. ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

 

Want to receive notices if/when IDFPR makes changes? NASW-IL members get real-time notice of changes and updates to licensure requirements as well as access to staff to help clarify rules. These benefits save you TIME and MONEY. Get access by joining or maintaining your NASW membership today! 

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For the new licensure renewal cycle starting on December 1, 2025, and expiring on November 30, 2027, all Illinois LSWs and LCSWs who are renewing their license for a second or subsequent time must fulfill the following continuing education requirements. If you are renewing your license for the first time, see our Licensure Renewal page.

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1. The state requires that any remote program (e.g., self-study, book-study, or computer/online based course) must include an examination as of July 2023 with removal of the in-person CEU requirement. See our FAQ for more information.

2. All renewing applicants must obtain a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education (CE) relevant to the practice of social work or clinical social work.

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Of these 30 CE hours, the following are required of all licensed social workers:

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• Ethics: At least 3 hours must include content related to the ethical practice of social work.

• Cultural Competency: At least 3 hours must include content related to cultural competence in the practice of social work.

• Implicit Bias Awareness: At least one hour on implicit bias awareness that covers all IDFPR course content requirements. See our More About the Specialty CEU Requirements section below for more about this training requirement.

• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training: At least one hour on sexual harassment prevention that covers all IDFPR course content requirements. If you've taken a sexual harassment prevention training from an Illinois employer during the current licensure cycle, read more about whether this course can be utilized to fulfill IDFPR requirements in our More About the Specialty CEU Requirements section below. Additionally, if you are self-employed or unemployed but looking to maintain your license, see our More About the Specialty CEU Requirements section below for additional course requirements. 

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Additionally, the following may be required of some licensed social workers:

• Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: At least one hour on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is required of all licensed social workers who provide health care services to, and have direct patient interactions with, adult populations age 26 or older in the practice of their profession. If applicable, it must be obtained sometime during the second licensure cycle, and thereafter once every three licensure cycles (i.e., one in every six years). See our More About the Specialty CEU Requirements section below for more about this training requirement.

• Mandated Reporter Training with Implicit Bias: A mandated reporter training with a section on implicit bias is required for every social worker with mandated reporter responsibilities within three (3) months of employment; and every three (3) years thereafter. There is no timed element (e.g., one hour of CEUs) to fulfill this training requirement, nor does it have to be a CEU, but it must cover all IDFPR course content requirements. See our More About the Specialty CEU Requirements section below for more about this training requirement.

• Clinical Supervision: All LCSWs are required to obtain 6 hours on clinical supervision training during the lifetime of their clinical license. This is a one-time requirement meaning once you have fulfilled the hours, you no longer need to repeat the requirement. Depending on when you obtained your LCSW, there are different deadlines for when you must fulfill the requirement. See our More About the Specialty CEU Requirements section below for deadlines as well as more about this training requirement. 

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>> Looking for CEUs? Check out our Events page for a complete list of live and recorded chapter trainings that fulfill general and specialty CEU requirements in Illinois. 

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>>Want alerts for new NASW-IL trainings? ​If you're not already an NASW member, sign up for our monthly Events & News e-mails which provide a list of our current event offerings as well as the latest news.

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NASW-IL CE Worksheet for Licensure

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For the current licensure cycle starting on December 1, 2025, and ending on November 30, 2027, all renewing LSW and LCSW licensees will need to obtain 30 CEUs. In order to help keep track of all continuing education requirements for LSW and LCSW licensure, we've created the NASW-Illinois Chapter Continuing Education Worksheet for 2025–2027 LSW/LCSW Licensure (to come). Please note this worksheet is NOT an IDFPR-required document but rather a roadmap to help you fulfill all CE requirements. ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

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Download the NASW-Illinois Chapter Continuing Education Worksheet for 2025–2027 LSW/LCSW Licensure by clicking on the PDF logo to the right (to come).

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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About Renewal

CEU Eligibility

Approved CEU Providers

Waiver of CE Requirements

Where's my NASW-IL CEU certificate?

How can I/my organization provide CEUs?

Have more questions?

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About Renewal

Do I need CEUs for my renewal?

• If this is your first time renewing your LSW or LCSW: you do not need to accumulate 30 CEUs for licensure, but you will still need to apply for renewal.

• If this is your second or subsequent time renewing: you will need to accumulate CEUs for renewal.

• If you are renewing your LCSW for the first time AND want to keep your LSW: you will need to accumulate CEUs for your LSW renewal. NOTE: We do not recommend maintaining your LSW if you have an LCSW.

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I took more courses for CEUs than I needed for the last licensure cycle. Can I roll those excess courses over into the current licensure cycle?

If you accumulate more than 30 CEUs in one two-year cycle, the extras do not carry over to the next period. Trainings can only apply to the licensure cycle in which they are taken—that is, a course must be taken during the current licensure cycle (Dec. 1, 2023, through Nov. 30, 2025) to be applied to that same licensure cycle for renewal. A course taken in the previous licensure cycle (i.e., before December 1, 2023) cannot be used for the current licensure cycle (Dec. 1, 2023, through Nov. 30, 2025).

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How long do I need to keep my CEU certificates?

Keep records of your CEs on file for at least five years. You don’t need to send proof of your CEUs in with your renewal form unless (1) you are applying after the renewal deadline or (2) you are requested to provide evidence of your continuing education by IDFPR (likely during an audit). 

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CEU Eligibility

What courses are eligible for CEUs in Illinois?

1. All courses must be offered by an IDFPR–Approved CE Sponsors.

   • The NASW-Illinois Chapter, national NASW, and all of our NASW Chapter affiliates are IDFPR–Approved CE Sponsors.

2. Additionally, any remote program (e.g., self-study, book-study, or computer/internet based course) must also include an examination.

   • All NASW-Illinois (and Nevada) Chapter live virtual trainings will include a post-event examination.

   • Any Social Work Online CE Institute course may be accepted for CEs with completion of our exam form available on our Events page.

3. Additionally, to fulfill IDFPR specialty CEU requirements, a course must cover all state content-related requirements as listed in the Illinois code and various acts.  

   • Any NASW-Illinois Chapter course that fulfills a specialty CEU requirement will be clearly labeled as such in the course description and on the CEU certificate (i.e., "X Cultural Competency CEUs" or "Fulfills IL Implicit Bias Training requirement").

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For additional information on approved continuing education, see the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice

Act. 

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How can I find out whether a non–NASW-Illinois Chapter course fulfills specialty CEU requirements?

In order to fulfill specialty CEU requirements in Illinois, a course must be from an IDFPR–approved CEU provider. You'll also need to review the course content to make sure it covers all state content-related requirements as listed in the Illinois code and various acts. See our More About the Specialty CEU Requirements section below for more about specialty CEU requirements.

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>> For a list of all NASW-IL recorded trainings within the NASW Social Work Online CE Institute that fulfill specialty CEU requirements, see our Events page. 

 

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Approved CEU Providers

Who's an IDFPR–Approved CE Sponsor?

The NASW-Illinois Chapter, national NASW, and all of our NASW Chapter affiliates are IDFPR–Approved CE Sponsors.

 

>> For a list of all upcoming NASW-IL live and recorded general and specialty CE trainings, see our Events page. 

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What about this course I took in Illinois from a non–NASW-IL/NASW/Chapter affiliate?

Check with IDFPR to see if a course you took is from an approved CEU provider for the state of Illinois. See also our Ask NASW-IL article, "Will this course count for CEUs in Illinois?"

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Can a CEU course fulfill 2 CEU specialties at once?

See our previously published Ask NASW-IL article, "Can a CEU course fulfill 2 CEU specialties at once?"

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Where are NASW-Illinois Chapter continuing education (CEs) accepted?

The NASW-Illinois Chapter is an approved provider of continuing education for the following professions in Illinois: Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Registered Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses, Licensed Clinical Psychologists, and School Social Workers (PELs). Additionally, we are accepted providers for continuing education by the social work licensing boards in our sister state chapters, Nevada and North Dakota.

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Will an NASW-Illinois Chapter training be accepted outside of Illinois?

While NASW-Illinois Chapter continuing education is accepted in many states (including Nevada), ultimately you will need to verify with your state board if education provided by the NASW-Illinois Chapter is accepted by your state board.

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Waiver of CE Requirements

In the event that you have extenuating circumstances which have kept you from accumulating the required CEs, IDFPR allows you to apply for a waiver of the continuing education requirements. If you request a waiver, you must pay a fee and apply for it before the end of the licensure period. IDFPR then examines your request and determines whether you meet the qualifications for a waiver (listed below). You are considered in good standing until the Social Work Licensing and Disciplinary Board makes its final ruling on your request.

A waiver may be granted because of:

• Full-time service in the armed forces of the US during a substantial part of the prerenewal period;

• An incapacitating illness documented by a statement from a currently licensed physician;

• A physical inability to travel to the sites of approved programs documented by a currently licensed physician;

• Any other similarly extenuating circumstances.

Obviously, that last category makes the law ambiguous since almost anything could potentially be considered an extenuating circumstance. However, there is no way you can know if you qualify until you pay the fee and file the application. NASW strongly recommends not applying for a waiver if you are unsure whether you qualify. Remember that you are dealing with a government agency not accustomed to making exceptions, and if they do not decide in your favor, you could lose your license. Get your CEUs if at all possible—better to be safe than sorry.

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Where's my NASW-IL CEU certificate?

I took a course with the NASW-Illinois Chapter and can't find my certificate. How can I request a duplicate copy?

Please allow up to 45 days for processing of all CEU certificates. All NASW-Illinois Chapter CEU certificates are e-mailed via a third party product, so we strongly urge you to be sure to check and search in all of your e-mails, junk and spam folders, as well as alternate folders (such as "Promotions" folders for Gmail account holders) for your certificate.

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To ensure receiving all future event links, materials, and your CEU certificate, be sure to add our events coordinator and and office account e-mails to your e-mail address book/approved sender list.

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To request a duplicate copy of a CEU certificate you received for a past NASW-Illinois Chapter training, please submit our Request for Duplicate CEU Certificate form here.

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How can I/my organization provide CEUs?

The NASW-Illinois Chapter has developed a procedure to approve programs for continuing education units (CEUs). Go to our Advertising page and click on #4 Co-Sponsorship. Otherwise, contact IDFPR for more information on applying to become an approved provider of CEUs.

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Have More Questions?

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, from supervision requirements, the licensing process, testing procedures, and more. Go to the NASW-IL Licensure page to read more.

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More About the Specialty CEU Training Requirements

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Ethics

All licensed social workers must obtain at least three hours of training on content related to the ethical practice of social work as defined by The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. 

 

>> For a list of NASW-IL live and recorded trainings that fulfill IDFPR ethics requirements, visit our Events page.

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Cultural Competency

All licensed social workers must obtain at least three hours of training on content related to cultural competence in the practice of social work as defined by The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. 

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NOTE: Effective January 1, 2024, Public Act 103-0531 requires that all licensed professionals must obtain at least 1 hour of continuing education in cultural competency. Because social workers are already required to obtain 3 CE hours in cultural competency, this requirement is redundant (i.e., it doesn't increase the 3-hour CE requirement in cultural competency to 4 hours); however, the department may write rules that specify what content the one-hour cultural competency training must cover. If this comes to pass, we will update this page accordingly.

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>> For a list of NASW-IL live and recorded trainings that fulfill IDFPR cultural competency requirements, visit our Events page.

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​​​​​Implicit Bias Awareness Training

All health care professionals (including licensed social workers) must obtain at least one hour of training on implicit bias awareness that fulfills the requirements as as defined by The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. 

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>>Take the recorded NASW-IL training, Implicit Bias: From Allyship to Solidarity.

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Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

All licensed social workers must complete a sexual harassment prevention training as required by The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and Public Act 102-0308. As you may have already completed a sexual harassment prevention training through an Illinois employer, or are self-employed or unemployed but looking to maintain your license, see below: 

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Did you take a sexual harassment prevention training through your Illinois employer which fulfills requirements as stated by Section 2-109 of the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA)?​​

• If YES: Sexual harassment prevention trainings that fulfill IHRA requirements will additionally fulfill the IDFPR requirement for a sexual harassment prevention training for social work licensure renewal. This employer-provided training may: utilize the Department of Human Rights training; be created by your employer utilizing the requirements specified in Section 2-109 of IHRA; or may utilize a provider of education that covers the required content (such as NASW-IL's recorded Sexual Harassment Prevention Training). No timed element is required of the employee-provided sexual harassment prevention training, but there are still content requirements for this scenario as per 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1130, Subpart E.

• If NO: If you are self-employed (i.e., employee of one) or live in another state but are looking to maintain your license in Illinois and as such, you are unable to obtain a sexual harassment prevention training through an Illinois employer, you will need to take a sexual harassment prevention training course spanning at least one hour in length. This training may be provided by the Department of Human Rights or any continuing education provider (such as NASW-IL's recorded Sexual Harassment Prevention Training) authorized to provide continuing education for any profession as well as other approved providers as long as the content complies with 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1130, Subpart E.

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>>Take the NASW-IL recorded training, Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

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Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Training

All licensed social workers who provide health care services to and have direct patient interactions with adult populations age 26 or older in their practice must obtain at least one hour on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias during their second license renewal period and thereafter once every three licensure cycles (i.e., 6 years). This course requirement does not apply to licensed social workers whose practice is limited to persons under the age of 26.The course must fulfill content-related requirements as required by The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and Public Act 102-0399. 

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Can I use this course as a CEU toward my licensure renewal CE requirement? 

A licensee may count this one hour for completion of this course towards meeting the minimum credit hours required for continuing education. A licensee who holds multiple licenses subject to this requirement may count this one hour for completion of this course towards meeting the minimum credit hours for continuing education for each professional license without having to repeat the course for each license.

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When do I need to take this course? 

If applicable, this course must be taken in your second license renewal period, and thereafter once every three licensure cycles (i.e., 6 years) with the signing of Public Act 103-0531. 

 

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

 

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Mandated Reporter Training with Implicit Bias Section

All licensed social workers with mandated reporter responsibilities must complete a mandated reporter training that includes a section on implicit bias once every three licensure cycles (i.e., one in every six years). There is no timed element (e.g., one hour of CEUs) to fulfill this training requirement; however, there are content-related requirements as listed in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA). If you do not have mandated reporter responsibilities, you may still take the training for CEUs.

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>>Take the NASW-IL recorded training, Reflections on Mandated Reporting.

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Clinical Supervision Training

All LCSWs are required to obtain 6 hours on clinical supervision training during the lifetime of their clinical license (see below for deadlines). This is a one-time requirement meaning it only needs to be fulfilled once during the lifetime of your clinical license (i.e., not repeated every year). This requirement aligns the social work profession with current requirements for other mental health professions in Illinois as per an IDFPR rule change approved on May 14, 2024. 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, although you may not re-use those CEUs toward licensure renewal. There are currently no specific requirements regarding content of the training, just that the training is on clinical supervision. It does not apply to LSWs; only LCSWs.

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When do I need to fulfill this requirement? 

• 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.

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Will a course I took on clinical supervision fulfill the requirement?

• Scenario 1: If 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.

 

>>Take an NASW-IL Supervision Series course. All NASW-IL Supervision Series courses qualify for clinical supervision CEUs in Illinois.