According to the NASW -IL
”Amended! With removal of the in-person CEU requirement in July 2023, the state now requires that any remote program (e.g., self-study, book-study, or computer/online based course) must include an examination.

1. 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.

Of these 30 CE hours:

• 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. 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 new requirement is redundant (i.e., it doesn't increase the 3-hour CE requirement in cultural comptency 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.

• Implicit Bias Awareness: At least 1 hour must include a training on implicit bias awareness.

• Mandated Reporter Training with Implicit Bias: A mandated reporter training with a section on implicit bias is required for licensure renewal. There is no timed element (e.g., one hour of CEUs) to fulfill this training requirement, nor does it have to be a CEU.

• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training: A sexual harassment prevention training is required for licensure renewal. If you are employed by an entity in Illinois (not including self-employment), there is no timed element (e.g., one hour of CEUs) to fulfill this training requirement, nor does it have to be a CEU. This requirement dupes an equivalent requirement for a sexual harassment prevention training for all Illinois employees which you should be receiving from your employer annually. All others may be required to obtain one hour of continuing education on sexual harassment prevention. To find out if the course you took fulfills requirements or are self-employed or unemployed but looking to maintain your license, see our More About the Specialty CEU Requirements section below.

• Updated! Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: IDFPR requires a one-hour (minimum) training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for all health care professionals who provide health care services to, and have direct patient interactions with, adult populations age 26 or older in the practice of their profession. This requirement applies to all who work with populations age 26 or older, no matter whether their clients are actively experiencing Alzheimer's disease or other dementias or not. Due to legislative changes, the department now flexes out this requirement to be fulfilled once every three licensure cycles (i.e., one in every six years) or for all first-time renewal applicants. “ (see NASW-IL website indicated in button found in this section)