11/16/21 UPDATE: LSW and LCSW licensees may now apply for renewal through the new IDFPR renewal website. Read more here.
10//21/21 UPDATE: IDFPR has granted an extension of the renewal deadline. Read more here.
This article was updated on October 13, 2020, to reflect the IDFPR waiver of the in-person CEU requirement for the 2019–2021 licensure cycle.
The following information was culled over the last few months of frequently asked questions from Illinois social workers regarding concerns for the current 2019 through 2021 licensure cycle as dictated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. All information is up-to-date at the time of publishing. Please know that the NASW-Illinois Chapter will continue to monitor and advocate with IDFPR officials and state leaders about issues pertaining to our membership. We will also be ramping up our online virtual trainings in the days ahead as well as resuming in-person trainings when it is safe to do so. Consider supporting our efforts by becoming a member today. Find out more about joining NASW here or click here to join.
Do online classes qualify as in-person CEUs?
According to IDFPR, live virtual workshops do not qualify as face-to-face, in-person instruction.
Will IDFPR remove their limit on a maximum of 15 CEUs allowed through live virtual trainings? In other words, will they continue to require 15 in-person CEUs during the current COVID-19 pandemic?
We are elated to announce that our efforts in advocating for the social work profession were successful, and that IDFPR has now released a new guidance for social workers and clinical social workers that allow for waiver of the in-person CEU requirement for the current 2021 licensure cycle. You may now utilize any mixture of in-person, live virtual, or virtual trainings to reach your 30-hour CEU requirement. Read the full guidance here.
I have health concerns that prevent my ability to attend in-person trainings to earn CEUs toward my license renewal at this time. Can I get an exemption?
As of today, IDFPR has not made any specific allowances in relation to COVID-19 with regards to waiving the in-person CEU requirement for licensure renewal. You can still seek a waiver as before. Scroll down to the FAQ section on "Can a I seek a waiver of CEU requirements?" on the NASW-Illinois Chapter webpage on CEU Requirements for more information on seeking a waiver.
Will the licensing exam offered by ASWB be offered online?
Based on our latest inquiry to ASWB (June 19, 2020), they are not currently offering the ASWB licensing exams through an online platform. To read more about why, click here.
Will supervision hours acquired via a conferencing platform (e.g., Zoom, GoToMeeting, Google Hangouts) be permitted for the LSW/LCSW?
The section of the Social Work Rules Administrative Code that addresses supervision does not address whether supervision can be done in-person or remotely. Especially during current COVID-19 conditions and given the position of the malpractice insurance carriers, we do not imagine video or phone supervision being an issue. However, please note that these regulations are set by the state licensing boards. NASW does not have jurisdiction over these rules, and we strongly encourage you to reach out to IDFPR for confirmation.
Lastly, supervisors and supervisees need to ensure: privacy for the supervision, that there is continuity of care, comprehensive supervision, and full disclosure from supervisees. Documenting in the supervisory file why the supervision is being done virtually is important, and possibly having a specific contract regarding the remote supervision would be helpful.