Become a Social Worker in Illinois
Table of Contents
- Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Illinois Licensed Social Worker (LMSW)
- Illinois Social Work Salary
- Illinois Social Work Scholarships
Disclaimer: Due to the rapidly changing nature of social work regulations, for the most up-to-date information on becoming a social worker in Illinois, contact the Illinois Social Work Licensing Board.
Illinois law recognizes two classes of social workers: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW). The requirements are as follows:
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
Illinois LCSW
Illinois LCSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-approved program or doctorate in social work from an accredited program approved by the US Department of Education
Illinois LCSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Examination
Field Requirement: 3,000 hours (for those holding the MSW) or 2,000 hours (for those holding a doctorate) of satisfactory supervised clinical professional experience must be verified. All hours must have been obtained subsequent to securing the MSW or. Hours can be obtained either by full-time experience with a minimum of 30 hours per week but not more than 40 hours per week and for part-time experience with a minimum of 15 hours per week but not more than 29 hours per week. Group supervision can be administered to groups of no more than five supervisees.
Fee: $50 application fee ($200 for licensure by endorsement), $260 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: None
Endorsement: Available through board approval; applicant must verify work history, past examinations, education and current licensure in another jurisdiction and pay a $200 application fee.
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years in each odd-numbered year. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education, verification by a sponsor and payment of a $500 renewal fee.
Illinois LSW
Illinois LSW Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-approved program
Illinois LSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination
Field Requirement: Applicants with a BSW must complete 3 years of supervised professional experience subsequent to obtaining the BSW.
Fee: $50 application fee ($200 for licensure by endorsement), $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: None
Endorsement: Available through board approval; applicant must verify work history, past examinations, education and current licensure in another jurisdiction and pay a $200 application fee
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years in each odd-numbered year. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education, verification by a sponsor and payment of a $500 renewal fee.
In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in Illinois, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in Illinois can only be reached after completing an on-campus or online MSW program. We are committed to keeping updated information on Illinois social work licensure policies available to you.
Disclaimer: There may be additional methods of certification that have not been covered here. Please contact your state social work licensing department for more information. Last updated: 08/28/2018.
Illinois Social Work Salary
| Illinois Social Work Career | Average Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|
| Child, Family and School Social Workers | $58,140 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $53,600 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $51,290 |
| All Other Social Workers | $65,890 |
| Salary Increase from BSW to MSW | +$9,000 |
Disclaimer: Social Worker Salary information is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Information about social worker salaries in Illinois is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/27/2018.
Illinois Social Work Scholarships
Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Type: Loan Forgiveness
Amount: Up to $8,000 for graduate loans
Description: The Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness Program was created to attract capable and promising students to the child welfare profession, increase employment and retention of qualified individuals who are working toward receiving a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of social work or human services, and to provide opportunities to someone making a career change to enter the child welfare profession.
Additional scholarship information is available on the national page of social work scholarships.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
Licensure information including requirements, renewals, and fees were retrieved as of August 2018. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.