If you hold an Illinois LCSW license, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation requires 30 hours of approved continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including ethics, cultural competency, sexual harassment prevention, and implicit bias. A new one-time clinical supervision requirement phases in by November 2027. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
30 hours / 2 years
Thirty CE hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Ethics + culture (3 + 3)
Three hours of ethics and three of cultural competency.
Harassment + bias
One hour each of sexual harassment prevention and implicit bias.
Supervision (one-time 6)
Six one-time clinical supervision hours phasing in by Nov 2027.
How many CE hours Illinois clinical social workers need
Illinois requires 30 continuing education hours every two years, with several mandated content areas built in.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics: 3 hours.
- Cultural competency: 3 hours.
- Sexual harassment prevention: 1 hour.
- Implicit bias: 1 hour.
- Clinical supervision: one-time 6 hours (by Nov 2027).
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Illinois LCSW licenses renew November 30 of odd-numbered years. Complete and document your 30 hours before that date.
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View pricingIllinois Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) CME at a glance
- Professional Ethics3 hrs
At least 3 hours related to ethical practice of social work each cycle.
- Cultural Competency3 hrs
At least 3 hours related to cultural competence each cycle.
- Sexual Harassment Prevention1 hr
1 hour of sexual harassment prevention every renewal.
- Implicit Bias Awareness1 hr
At least 1 hour of implicit bias awareness training per renewal period.
- Clinical Supervision Training6 hrs · one time
Beginning with the renewal period ending November 30, 2027, 6 of the 30 hours must be in clinical supervision training (one-time/lifetime requirement).
Always confirm with your licensing board
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires 30 hours of approved continuing education each two-year cycle for LCSWs. Licenses renew November 30 of odd-numbered years.
Continuing education rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before relying on these figures.
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Social Work Licensure Compact: enacted but not yet active. Enacted by states and a commission is forming, but NOT yet issuing privileges — LCSWs license state-by-state today.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Illinois LCSW CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Illinois clinical social workers need?
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30 continuing education hours every two years.
What topics are mandated in Illinois?
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Ethics (3), cultural competency (3), sexual harassment prevention (1), and implicit bias (1).
Is there a new Illinois supervision requirement?
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Yes — a one-time 6-hour clinical supervision training phases in by the November 2027 renewal.
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