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Illinois licenses Clinical Social Workers through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation. The clinical license generally requires a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program, a period of post-degree supervised clinical experience, and a passing score on the ASWB Clinical examination. Verify current licensing, Social Work Licensure Compact, supervised-experience, renewal, and continuing-education requirements directly with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation.
Master's (MSW) or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program. Verify current requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Passage of the ASWB Clinical examination is required after IDFPR approves the application. Verify current requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Approximately 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience (about 2,000 hours for doctoral-degree applicants), supervised by an LCSW with reportedly at least 4 hours of supervision per month and generally completed within the prior 10 years. Verify current requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Legislation to join the Social Work Licensure Compact has been introduced or is in progress in this state but has not yet been enacted into law. Until enactment, social workers must hold this state’s own license to practice here.
Illinois has not enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact but has reportedly introduced enabling legislation (HB2473 in February 2025); it is not yet a member on the swcompact.org roster. Verify current compact status with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
License portability may be available by endorsement and, where the state participates, through the Social Work Licensure Compact. Verify endorsement eligibility and compact participation with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation.
Telehealth social work practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal, licensing, or employment advice. Clinical social work licensing laws, board rules, education and examination requirements, Social Work Licensure Compact participation, supervised-experience rules, and renewal/continuing-education requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements directly with the official state social work licensing board.