Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) License Requirements

To practice as a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in Illinois, the state licensing board requires 3,919 documented education or training hours, a passing score on the ASWB Clinical Exam examination, and 2 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Illinois's professional licensing framework, which classifies training as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".

Upfront cost is $236, with renewal running $190 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity is available: Social Work Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Compared to the profession-wide pattern, the numbers above should be cross-checked against other states before relocating — licensing cost, training hours, and exam requirements vary enough that a different state may cut thousands of dollars and months of training from the path. The state board, not this page, is the final authority; verify every field below with the official regulator before you pay fees or enroll in training.