Free CE for Social Workers / Illinois
Illinois LSWs and LCSWs must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including 3 hours of ethics, 3 hours of cultural competence, and one-hour state mandates in sexual harassment prevention and implicit bias awareness.
✓ Verified against the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Division of Professional Regulation) on July 30, 2026
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Social work practice ethics | 3 | every renewal; counts within the 30 |
| Cultural competence | 3 | every renewal; counts within the 30 |
| Sexual harassment prevention | 1 | every renewal; counts within the 30 |
| Implicit bias awareness | 1 | every renewal; counts within the 30 |
| Alzheimer's disease and other dementias | 1 | once every 6 years, for licensees serving adults 26+; counts within the 30 |
| Clinical supervision training (LCSW only) | 6 | one-time, beginning with the renewal ending Nov 30, 2027; counts within the 30 |
68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.95; applies to LSW and LCSW. Licenses renew by November 30 of odd-numbered years. No CE for the first renewal. Social work's profession-specific 3-hour cultural competence rule exceeds IDFPR's generic 1-hour mandate. Mandated reporter training (DCFS) is a separate obligation (within 3 months of engagement, then at least every 3 years) but counts toward CE hours. Accepted sponsors include IDFPR-licensed CE sponsors, ASWB (ACE), NASW and affiliates, and accredited universities.
Yes — Illinois accepts continuing education from nationally accredited providers, so courses from an accredited provider like the ones on Pulse count toward your renewal.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Division of Professional Regulation)
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/forms/dpr/ce-sw.pdf
Requirements change. Confirm all figures on the board site above before relying on them.
Pulse offers free, accredited CE for LMSWs and LCSWs. Local healthcare organizations cover the cost — you pay nothing, and the hours apply toward your Illinois requirement (subject to the board rules above).
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