Melissa Box, LCSW, MPH East Central District Chair
Equity in Professional Advancement in the Field of Social Work
‘Tis the season for licensure renewal, as well as for grabbing up those last few CEU’s you need. Whether ethics, cultural competency, implicit bias, working with elderly/aging population, or another specialty, we are thrilled about the recent decision to remove the in-person requirement from social work licensure renewal rules. While awaiting a final administrative step before the rule change is officially adopted, for the purposes of Illinois social workers, the previous requirement that 50% of education be obtained in-person is no longer required. It is expected that this change will allow more social workers to obtain the knowledge and training they need, without the barriers associated with traveling to in-person events. For more information on the decision, visit https://www.naswil.org/post/idfpr-officially-removes-in-person-ce-requirement.
In other efforts to increase accessibility and equity across the social work profession, Governor Pritzker recently signed into law House Bill 2365, which allows for an alternative pathway to clinical licensure outside of the traditional ASWB test. While upholding the highest standards for professionalism, knowledge, and experience, the new legislation will help counter the systemic disparities of the current test and testing environments, by empowering individuals, including those from historically disenfranchised and marginalized communities, to continue to pursue professional licensure. For more information, visit https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-il-advocacy-at-work-gov-signs-hb-2365-providing-alternative-to-aswb-exam.
CHAPTER NEWS
2023 NASW-IL Guide to Licensure Renewal
The deadline to renew all Illinois social work licenses (LSW and LCSW) is this November 30, 3023. Please note that to maintain your social work license in Illinois, all licensees must renew their license through the IDFPR renewal portal by November 30th. Click here to read our 2023 NASW-Illinois Chapter Guide to Licensure Renewal. This year’s guide includes detailed, step-by-step instructions on renewing your license, frequently asked questions, and more.
Still unsure if you’ve fulfilled all continuing education requirements? Check out our CEU Requirements page to make sure you’ve taken courses on all the subjects as required by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
(Reprint) Ask NASW-IL: Will this course count for CEUs in Illinois?
With news of the rule filing by Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to remove the in-person continuing education requirement from licensure renewal has broadened the range of continuing education options available to Illinois social workers. However, it is still important to remember that in order to utilize an education course for continuing education units (CEUs) for licensure renewal, there are steps you can take to ensure whether a course fulfills IDFPR requirements continuing education. Read our full article here.
Other Chapter News:
· 2023 NASW-Illinois Chapter Statewide Awards: https://www.naswil.org/post/2023-nasw-illinois-chapter-statewide-awards
· Partial Loan Repayment Assistance Available to Those Working in Community Mental Health Centers: https://www.naswil.org/post/partial-loan-repayment-assistance-available-to-those-working-in-community-mental-health-centers
· NASW-IL Advocacy At Work: Gov. Signs HB 2365 Providing Alternative to ASWB Exam: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-il-advocacy-at-work-gov-signs-hb-2365-providing-alternative-to-aswb-exam
· Get Ready to Update Records and Billing with New Nonbinary Gender Option in IL: https://www.naswil.org/post/get-ready-to-update-records-and-billing-with-new-nonbinary-gender-option-in-il
· Social Work Profession One Step Closer to Interstate Licensure Compact: https://www.naswil.org/post/social-work-profession-one-step-closer-to-interstate-licensure-compact
For more news, go to the NASW-Illinois Chapter News page: https://www.naswil.org/blog