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.
Does this NASW-IL/NASW course fulfill CE requirements for Illinois?
In order to be accepted by IDFPR for CEUs, the course must be provided by a licensed provider in Illinois. The NASW-Illinois Chapter and all of our NASW Chapter affiliates as well as the NASW Social Work Online CE Institute are approved providers in Illinois. This means that any course you take from NASW-Illinois Chapter, a chapter affiliate, or any of the NASW recorded trainings in the Social Work Online CE Institute are accepted for continuing education credit by IDFPR.
Additionally, the NASW-Illinois Chapter is an approved provider of continuing education for the following professions in Illinois: Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Registered Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses, Licensed Clinical Psychologists, and School Social Workers (PELs). If you hold any of these licenses in Illinois, NASW-Illinois Chapter education can count as continuing education for the renewal of any of these licenses.
What about this non-NASW-IL/NASW course I took in Illinois?
Contrary to popular belief, NASW/NASW-Illinos Chapter is not the licensing board and does not review and approve coursework and education providers for the state of Illinois. If you are considering taking a course from another provider, check with IDFPR to see if they are an approved CEU provider for the state of Illinois.
Conversely, you can also contact the sponsor of the course prior to attending and make sure they have one of the following two things:
A certified provider number issued by the IDFPR—this number will be a 9-digit number beginning with 159.
A co-sponsorship with an organization that has a certified provider number.
If you take a course from an organization that is not a certified provider of CEUs at the time of the event, you may not claim CEUs after the fact.
For questions about whether a course you took outside of Illinois qualifies for CEUs, see the FAQ on our CEU Requirements webpage.
Other Related CE Questions
What if I get more than 30 CEs? Can I roll over into the next licensure cycle?
If you accumulate more than 30 CEs in one two-year cycle, the extras do not carry over to the next period.
I've got all of my 30 CEs! Can I start taking courses for the next licensure cycle (2023–2025)?
Unfortunately, trainings only apply to the licensure cycle in the year which they are taken. Any course you take during the current licensure cycle ending on November 30, 2023, can only be utilized for the current cycle beginning December 1, 2023.
How long do I need to keep my CE certificates?
Keep records of your CEs on file for at least five years. You don’t need to send proof of your CEUs in with your renewal form unless (1) you are applying after the deadline or (2) IDFPR requests it.
Where do I turn in my CEUs for renewal?
Currently (subject to change) you do not turn in your CE certificates to IDFPR when renewing your license. When it is time to renew your license and submit your application and payment for renewal, you are essentially affirming that you have completed (or will complete) by deadline the requirements for licensure renewal with IDFPR. Keep your certificates sorted by licensure cycle in the case of an audit and you are asked to provide evidence of your education fulfillment by IDFPR; otherwise, based on last year's renewal process, you may not be asked to submit your CE certificates with renewal.
Have More Questions? All specific questions concerning licensure and individual licenses or a particular license application needs to be properly directed to IDFPR as they are ultimately the licensing board who approve of licenses for Illinois. The NASW-Illinois Chapter website also has a plethora of information relating to licensure, from supervision requirements, the licensing process, testing procedures, and more. Go to the NASW-IL Licensure page to read more.
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