Licensure Steps

This section is for applicants who have not been licensed as an LCSW in Illinois before (or in another state).

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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. NEW! As of spring 2024, for your first renewal, you may need to complete an Alzheimer's disease and other dementias training. See our CEU Requirements page and the section on More About the Specialty CEU Requirements for more information. 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 under a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW):

• 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 maximum of 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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Download the 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. Additionally, be sure to provide a personal e-mail address you have direct access to (i.e., not an e-mail account connected to your employer) as this will be the e-mail address the department will contact regarding updates to your license including renewal notices.

• 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 or ITIN, and “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” on the right-hand border of your application where requested.

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Supporting Documents:

• 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.

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NOTE: The following forms are included within the IDFPR application:

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PHQ – Health Care Workers Additional Personal History Questions

• Complete sections 1 through 4.

• Check the box next to “Social Worker, Clinical (LCSW)”

• 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 Clinical 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

NOTE: You will need to print and complete TWO duplicates of this form, one to submit to IDFPR and the second to retain for your records. Both forms MUST have original signatures from your supervisor(s); do not photocopy as the department will not accept forms with photocopied signatures.

Update 02/12/2024: It's been brought to our attention that the last line in Section N ("The experience was conducted in accordance with Rules 86 IAC Section 1470.20(b).") should actually refer to Rules 86 IAC Section 1470.20(a). The department has been notified about this error, however, the form may still be used for your application.

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

• If you are applying to take the ASWB clinical exam, complete the steps below; if not, see next bullet point:

  • Section 11, select, "3000 Supervised Clinical Hours for LCSW."

  • Supervisor, Part I: Have your supervisor complete sections A through L, N, and P in both forms, then return to you two sealed envelopes. One envelope should be included with your application; the second envelope should be stored for safekeeping. Make sure to inform your supervisor that they must provide signatures on both forms as photocopies will not be accepted by the department. If you had more than one job, have every supervisor complete these forms for each job totaling your required hours.

  • Part 1, Section B: For this purpose, it must be a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

• If you have already taken the ASWB clinical exam and are utilizing the exam alternative, complete the steps below:

  • Section 11, select, "Exam Alternative for LCSW."

  • Supervisor, Part I: Have your supervisor complete on both forms sections A through G; H should be marked "Not applicable,"; I through L, O, and P, then return to you in two sealed envelopes. One envelope should be included with your application; the second envelope should be stored for safekeeping. Make sure to inform your supervisor that they must provide signatures on both forms as photocopies will not be accepted by the department. If you had more than one job, have every supervisor complete these forms for each job totaling your required hours.

  • Part I, Section B: For this purpose, it should be a licensed clinical social worker; however, if an LCSW is not available, an LCPC, LMFT, LCP, LP, or APPN may be selected. NOTE: The form currently lists an LSW or "Other" field; however, neither can sign off on professional experience for the Exam Alternative for the LCSW and should not be used.

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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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*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. 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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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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If you receive a passing score on the ASWB clinical exam, your test results will automatically be sent to IDFPR who will complete processing your licensure application. If you do not receive a passing score on the ASWB clinical exam, you may continue to retake the exam until you receive a passing score, or you may want to explore whether the alternative to the ASWB clinical exam is right for you.

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Step Five: IDFPR Application Processing Times

As of January 2024, department application processing times for ALL Illinois professions has been delayed even longer than normal. 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. If your application process exceeds 6 weeks, we encourage you to reach out to your local state legislator and be persistent. Click here to find your legislator.

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What if you still have an active application (less than 3 years old) and want to use the Alternative to the ASWB Clinical Exam?

If you have an ACTIVE application, meaning you applied for an LCSW within the last three years, you can bypass completing the entire application and just complete the new updated VE-SW form. Completed forms (signed by your supervisor) can be emailed to fpr.hssunit@illinois.gov or mailed to: IDFPR, Health Services Section, 320 W Washington St., Springfield, IL 62786.

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If your LCSW application is over 3 years old, you will need to complete the entire application again using the new verification form.

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If you do not have verification of your clinical supervision hours with an original signature, you can complete one of the following:

1. Submit your envelope that contained a duplicate copy of your original clinical supervision hours. If you do not have a duplicate copy, contact your former supervisor(s) and have them complete the verification form again.

2. If you unable to contact your supervisor or cannot get them to re-sign your clinical supervision hours, submit photocopies of the form with a letter explaining why you are unable to get your former supervisor to sign off again. If you do not have photocopies of your original hours, send a letter explaining why you are unable to get your former supervisor to sign off again.

 

Include any supporting documentation you may have, including any e-mails you have with your supervisor, etc.

If you have made a good faith effort to get your former supervisor to re-sign the forms, then re-submit the application. While the department prefers verification with original signatures (no photocopies), they will evaluate your application and make a case-by-case decision.

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Alternative to the ASWB Clinical Exam

For those deciding between retaking the exam or utilizing the alternative to the exam, some considerations should be taken into account. While other states are looking at passing alternatives to the ASWB clinical exam, applicants licensed in Illinois under this option may find that they cannot practice in other states that still require the exam. Some jobs may also require the exam for employment including some federal governmental positions and therapist jobs on border states that require multi-licensed professionals. Furthermore, the Social Work Licensure Compact will require the passage of a nationally accepted exam (currently the ASWB clinical exam) for participation.

 

It is important to note that applicants who are licensed utilizing the alternative path to the ASWB exam may practice as an LCSW in Illinois and retake the exam at a later date if future employment requires you to be licensed in other states. For all purposes in Illinois, whether you use your ASWB clinical exam score or the alternative to the ASWB clinical exam for licensure, you will be licensed as an LCSW with full practice authority of that license.

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To qualify for the alternative to the ASWB clinical exam, an applicant must complete the following:

• Taken the ASWB clinical exam at least once after January 1, 2019, and

• Complete an additional 3,000 hours of professional experience obtained within the last 10 years  and have those hours signed off by an LCSW/clinical professional.** NOTE: These hours are not 3,000 additional clinical hours but rather professional experience hours which may consist of: social services to individuals, groups, or communities in any one or more of the fields of social casework, social group work, community organization for social welfare, social work research, social welfare administration. school social work, or social work education. Supervised professional experience may also include supervised clinical social work as described in Section 1470.20 of the Social Work Practice Act.

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Beginning January 1, 2026, professional work experience hours must be aquired while you hold a valid LSW or PEL (with school social worker endorsement). If you do not anticipate being licensed as an LCSW before January 1, 2026, we strongly encourage you to aquire your LSW now.

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**If an LCSW supervisor is unable to sign off on hours, the following professionals are qualified to sign off on professional experience: licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical psychologist (LCP), licensed psychiatrist (LP), or licensed advanced practice psychiatric nurse (APPN).

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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. 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.

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