Ask NASW-IL: How can I apply for the IL LCSW as a first-time applicant?
- NASW-IL Staff
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
Resources like this "Ask NASW-IL" article are made possible through NASW-Illinois Chapter membership. By joining the largest association of social workers in the state, you help us research changing regulations, develop clear tools, and answer licensure questions with accuracy and care. If you find this information helpful, we invite you to join or renew your NASW membership today and add your voice to our professional community.
In February 2026, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced an important update to its modernized licensing platform—CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment). First-time LSW and LCSW applicants may now begin applying for their licenses through CORE rather than the previous IDFPR Online Services Portal.
This step-by-step overview is designed to help first-time LCSW applicants prepare to complete the online LCSW license application.
Who is IDFPR?
IDFPR is the licensing authority for banks, financial institutions, and licensed professionals in Illinois—including social workers. Within the department, the Division of Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than one million professionals and firms.
As a licensed clinical social worker, you are responsible for maintaining compliance with all IDFPR rules and standards throughout your career.
What requirements do I to fulfill before applying for the LCSW in Illinois?
1) Obtain degree from a CSWE-approved graduate or doctoral program of social work.
First you must obtain a degree from a CSWE–approved graduate or doctoral program of social work. You must have this degree first before you can begin acquiring supervised clinical professional experience under a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
You will need to provide evidence of this degree to IDFPR via a completed Certification of Education (ED) form or official transcript for your graduate level social work degree.
2) Acquire supervised clinical professional experience hours.
In order for your supervised clinical professional experience hours to count, you must first have obtained your degree first (see above), then fulfilled the following requirements:
Be supervised by an LCSW: You must meet with an LCSW supervisor for at least 4 hours per month. Please note that only an LCSW can provide supervision for these hours of supervised clinical professional experience; no other professional can provide supervision for these hours.
Hours Worked: If you work full-time in your position, you must work at least 30 hours per week but no more than 40 hours per week. If you work part-time in your position, you must work a maximum of 29 hours per week.
Hours Needed: If you obtained a degree from a CSWE–approved graduate program of social work, you need 3,000 hours of supervised clinical professional experience. If you obtained a degree from a CSWE–approved doctoral program of social work, you need 2,000 hours of supervised clinical professional experience.
Keep a tracking log: The department requires maintaining a log of supervision hours, and we have created the NASW-Illinois Chapter Monthly Tracking Log for Supervised Hours Toward Illinois LCSW Licensure to help track your hours. Our tracking log is neither approved nor required by IDFPR, but it does align with the department's VE-SW form. No matter what you use to track your hours, just be sure to record your hours in any format that fulfills the licensure requirements. Keeping on top of your hours is also helpful should you or your supervisor suddenly change jobs and allows you to plan when you should start studying more intensely for the clinical exam.
You will need to provide evidence of your supervised clinical professional experience hours to IDFPR via a Social Worker Verification of Employment/Experience (VE-SW) form. This form has your supervisor(s) verify that you have completed the requisite hours of supervised clinical professional experience. If you had more than one supervisor, you may upload multiple copies of the VE-SW form.
3) Apply for pre-approval and sit for the ASWB clinical exam.
In order to sit for the ASWB clinical exam, you will need to apply for pre-approval with IDFPR. Most first-time applicants will first need to create a CORE account with IDFPR to begin the pre-approval process.
To create a CORE account:
Go to the IDFPR-CORE website: https://ildfprprod.state-reg-central.tylerapp.com/portal/public
Click Sign In.
Select Sign Up under “Don’t have an account? Sign Up,” and follow the prompts.
TIP! For a video tutorial, click here.
Once you're logged, click Apply.
Search for clinical social work.
Select Licensed Clinical Social Worker Initial Application.
Most of the application is self-explanatory from this point. You will be asked to upload your the ED and VE-SW forms and provide personal contact information. Use an e-mail and phone number you check regularly—your license is your livelihood, and this is how the department will contact you about deficiencies or updates on your application. There is a $50.00 IDFPR application fee when you apply; this fee covers up to 3 years from date of submission in the event you do not pass the ASWB exam and need to reapply.
After submitting your online application to the department and receiving confirmation they have received your application and materials, you will need to pay a $107.00 fee to Continental Testing Services, Inc. (CTS).
To apply to CTS:
Go to the CTS website: continentaltesting.net.
Click on State of Illinois Examinations.
Under "IL Division of Professional Regulation," select 149 - Clinical Social Workers from the list of professions.3. Scroll down to the Apply Online button, and complete the online examination application.
IDFPR has informed us that after waiting 7–10 business days after completing your registration with CTS, you can then register to take the clinical exam with ASWB. Please note: Do not expect to receive notice from IDFPR or CTS that you are eligible to register for the ASWB clinical exam. Current department guidance simply says you can register 7–10 business days after paying the CTS application fee.
To apply to ASWB:
There is a $260.00 fee associated with the ASWB exam.
Go to the ASWB website: https://www.aswb.org/.
Complete steps to register for the exam.
Within two days of completing your registration, ASWB will send you an Authorization to Test email. The email will include information about scheduling your testing appointment with PSI.
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.
When will I receive my license?
Because CORE is a new system, processing timelines are still emerging. If you apply through the new platform, we encourage you to share your timeline with us so we can help future applicants set expectations.
How can I check on the status of my application?
Log into CORE and visit the Submissions section to monitor your application. Also check your e-mail regularly in case IDFPR requests additional information.
When can I begin practicing as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)?
The day you get your license number from the department, you get to join the over 30,000 other social work professionals in the state of Illinois. Congratulations, and welcome to this honorable profession!
Additional Resources
Have More Questions?
All specific questions about licensure, individual licenses, or a particular application must be directed to IDFPR, as they are the state agency responsible for issuing and approving licenses in Illinois.
The NASW-Illinois Chapter website also offers a wide range of licensure resources—covering supervision requirements, the application process, exam information, and more. Visit the NASW-IL Licensure page to explore these tools and guides.
Resources like this article exist because of our members. Membership dollars make it possible for our small but dedicated staff to research changing laws and rules, develop clear guidance, and respond to member questions with accuracy and care. When you join or renew, you’re not only investing in your own professional success—you’re helping ensure that Illinois social workers continue to have a trusted source for licensure support, advocacy, and up-to-date information.
If you’ve found this guide helpful, we invite you to join or renew your NASW membership today and be part of the community that makes this work possible.