Licensure Steps

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This section is for applicants who have not been licensed as an LCSW in Illinois before (or in another state) nor taken and passed the ASWB Clinical exam.

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ABOUT LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS (LCSWs)

LCSWs are authorized to independently practice clinical social work in Illinois under the auspices of an employer or in private practice.

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DO I NEED CEUs?

You do not need CEUs to apply for the LCSW. You will need to accumulate CEUs for the SECOND renewal of your license.

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STEPS TO OBTAINING YOUR LCSW

You will need to apply to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) which licenses and regulates all licensed professions in the state.

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Step One: Fulfill the Requisites

To become an LCSW in Illinois, you must first fulfill/obtain the following LCSW licensure requirements:

1. You must be of good moral character, and

2. You must obtain a degree from a CSWE–approved graduate program of social work, OR a degree from a CSWE–approved doctoral program of social work.

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Step Two: Earning Supervised Clinical Professional Experience

Once you have obtained a degree from a CSWE–approved graduate or doctoral program of social work, you can begin acquiring hours of supervised clinical professional experience :

• If you obtained a degree from a CSWE–approved GRADUATE program of social work, you must complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical professional experience.

• If you obtained a degree from a CSWE–approved DOCTORAL program of social work, you must complete 2,000 hours of supervised clinical professional experience.

Of these hours, the required number of hours may be obtained in one of the following manners:

• For full-time experience, a minimum of 30 hours per week but not more than 40 hours per week.

• For part-time experience, a minimum of 15 hours per week but not more than 29 hours per week.

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For more information about supervision for the supervisee and supervisor, including the NASW-Illinois Chapter Supervisor Registry, check out our Supervision page.

Step Three: Complete LCSW Application for Licensure

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Licensed Clinical Social Worker Application

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Once you have obtained the above requisites, you can apply for licensure. The application for licensure can be downloaded from the link above or from the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) website. IDFPR’s Division of Professional Regulation licenses and regulates over 1 million professionals and firms in Illinois, including social work professionals.

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We have included a comprehensive list below of sections to complete within the application. Please note these fields are subject to change in the event that IDFPR updates their application. See also our note further below re: a one-time waiver of the IDFPR application/renewal application fee.

Application for Licensure and/or Examination:

• Part I, A | Check the box if you any of the options apply to you.

• Part I, B | Profession Name: Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Profession Code: 149/ Licensure Method: Examination / Fee: $50.00

• Part I, C | Select the box that applies to you.

• Part II | Complete your contact information. Please note if any of the supporting information you will be required to provide (like college transcripts) will be different than the name you provide in this section; you will also need to include in your application proof of your name change.

• Part III | Complete sections 1–7 with your high school and college information.

• Part IV | List all previous licenses you have had including related licenses and the state where you acquired the license. If you have never previously had a social work license or related license, mark this section with “N/A.”

• Part V | You must include all previous attempts and requested information in this section at this time. If you have never taken the ASWB exam for the LCSW, mark this section with “N/A.”

• Part VI | Answer all questions regarding your personal history.

• Part VII | Skip this section as it is not applicable for LCSWs .

• Part VIII | You must answer each question in this section.

• Part IX | Sign and date the document.

• Don't forget to write your name, social security number, and “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” on the right-hand border of your application where requested.

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Supporting Documents:

NOTE: All supporting documents are included within the IDFPR application.

• If your name differs on any supporting document than what you provided in Part II of the application, you must include proof of name change (marriage license, divorce, court orders, etc.).

• If you selected yes to any question in Part V of the application, include signed written statements, supporting documents, and/or certificates as requested.

CCA – Health Care Workers Charged with or Convicted of Criminal Acts

• Complete sections 1, 2, and 4.

• Check the box next to “Licensed Social Workers”

• Answer questions 1–4. If you select yes to any of these questions, you will need to provide the requested documentation.

• Sign, date, and include your e-mail address.

ED – Certification of Education

• Complete sections 1–8 (#5 = Licensed Social Worker, Code 149)

• Sign and date the form.

• Give this form to your school to complete, sign, and return to you. Then include in your application.

VE-SW Form – Verification of Employment/Experience

• Complete sections 1–10 (#5 = Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Code 149)

• Have your supervisor complete the rest of the document, sign it, and return to you in a sealed envelope to include with your application. If you had more than one job, have every supervisor complete this form for each job totaling your required hours.

• Part II, Section D of the Supervisor section asks how many hours per week your supervisor met with you—let your supervisor know to put in at least 1 hour per week. While the state requirement is at least 4 hours per month, the question is worded as such that it may cause issues if you did all 4 hours at one time every month.

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Step Four: Submit Completed Forms and Fees to IDFPR and Take the ASWB Clinical Exam

Once you have completed the IDFPR application for licensure with ALL supplementary documentation and have the applicable application fee (currently $50.00)*, mail everything to IDFPR (see mailing address in application). IDFPR should notify you within 4 to 6 weeks if your application is accepted for pre-approval to sit for the ASWB Clinical exam).

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Once you’ve received notice from IDFPR, you will need to go to the ASWB website to register and pay (currently $260.00) for the Clinical exam.

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For those seeking accomodations: For those who need special services and testing accommodations to take the ASWB exam, please see our FAQ below on how to request accommodations.

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When you pass the exam, your test results will automatically be sent to IDFPR who will complete processing your licensure application. Processing times may vary greatly with the department. If you want to find out the status of an application, the best way to check is to contact IDFPR about the status of your application. Additionally, you can go to the IDFPR website and use the License Look Up feature. After selecting “Social Worker” for License Type, type in your first and last name. If you are licensed, you should see your name with your license number.

*Announced in April 2022, Governor Pritzker granted a one-time fee waiver for the IDFPR application/renewal applications received  between July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Applicants who apply now and do not use the waiver will still be able to waive the fee for 2023 renewal instead. Read more here. Please note the fee waiver applies only to the IDFPR application/renewal application fees, not the ASWB exam costs.

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Test Preparation for the ASWB Examination

For those who are interested in a course to help them prepare for the ASWB examination, the NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Licensure Test Review Course (formerly LSW/LCSW Review Course) is the longest running review course in the state. Highly rated by our participants, this fast-paced, 8-hour course covers the format and structure of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical examination as well as the most current content areas as determined by the ASWB for licensure. Participants can expect this course to be an interactive, discussion-led review of testing topics, case studies, and additional reading materials that will help you identify areas you may need to review in your knowledge base before taking the ASWB exam rather than a complete overhaul of everything learned in school. Practice questions will be reviewed to illustrate test-taking strategies and reinforce content material. Access to the NASW-IL–proprietary manual is available to course registrants only.

For a list of upcoming review course dates, check out our Licensure Review Course page.

DISCLAIMER ABOUT THE ASWB EXAM & OUR LICENSURE REVIEW COURSE: In light of the recent ASWB disclosures regarding disparities caused by a biased test, the NASW-Illinois Chapter has transitioned our licensure review course to a zero budgeted profit event similar to our annual Advocacy Day by reducing fees nearly in half. Additionally, if you have taken our course and are unable to pass the ASWB exam, please reach out to the chapter to work with us on an individualized plan to help you pass. These new rates and updated policies will hopefully aid applicants in passing a clearly flawed exam. Preparation courses like the NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Licensure Test Review Course cannot replace the fact that the ASWB test is inherently biased and discriminatory. While we will continue to offer this course as the ASWB exam is still required for licensure, it is essential to note that your test results do not reflect your knowledge and future performance as a social worker, nor do we believe that the ASWB exam should be used for such purposes. In Spring 2023, the NASW-Illinois Chapter plans to also implement a scholarship program to further reduce barriers to access to our course.

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