05/27/22 UPDATE: IDFPR Waives License Renewal Fees and Initial Application Fees for Frontline Healthcare Workers
We are happy to report that fee waivers proposed by Governor Pritzker in his budget speech as a thank-you to COVID-19 first responders materialized in the Budget Implementation Plan. Per sections 5-90, social workers will be able to use a one-time waiver of fees regarding licensure.
Taking effect July 1, 2022, this one-time waiver can be used on licensure application fees or fees to renew your LSW or LCSW license in 2023. It can also be used on reinstatement fees for those who let their LSW or LCSW license lapse for various reasons.
LCSW Applicants ONLY: The waiver only applies to Illinois licensure fees; ASWB examination fees are still required.
As this bill was just signed by Governor Pritzker, the process to apply for the waiver has not been finalized. As this process may take the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) some time to create, we DO NOT recommend that applicants with the means to pay for the application fee to wait to apply. Applicants who apply now and do not use the waiver will still be able to waive their 2023 renewal fees instead.
As soon as further details are released regarding the application process to waive fees, the NASW-Illinois Chapter will post that information to our News page.
BIMP:
Section 5-90. The Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act is amended by adding Section 13.2 as follows:
(225 ILCS 20/13.2 new)
Sec. 13.2. Fee waivers. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, during State fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024, the Department shall allow individuals a one-time waiver of fees imposed under subsection (a) of Section 11 or Section 7, 9, 9A, 12.5, or 13 of this Act. No individual may benefit from such waiver more than once.
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