Continuing Education (CE) Requirements in Illinois for Mental Health Professionals

Stay compliant with Illinois CE requirements. Find your profession below for specific hour requirements, ethics mandates, and renewal deadlines.

This page is part of our 50-state CE requirements library. View CE requirements for all states.

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Therapy Trainings is approved by: NBCC ACEP ASWB ACE NAADAC

Professional Counselors (LCPC/LPC)

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors and Licensed Professional Counselors in Illinois

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 30 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years (preceding March 31 of odd-numbered years)
Counseling Practice Ethics 3 hours
Sexual Harassment Prevention 1 hour
Implicit Bias Awareness 1 hour
Alzheimer's Disease/Dementias 1 hour (once every 3 renewal periods)
Cultural Competency 1 hour (LCPCs only, beginning January 2025)
Clinical Supervision Training 9 hours
Licensing Board Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) based on NBCC approval.
  • Illinois has extensive mandated topic requirements including implicit bias and sexual harassment prevention.

Social Workers (LSW/LCSW)

Licensed Social Workers and Licensed Clinical Social Workers in Illinois

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 30 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years
Ethics 3 hours
Cultural Competence 3 hours (effective January 1, 2024)
Sexual Harassment Prevention 1 hour
Implicit Bias Awareness 1 hour
Alzheimer's Disease/Dementias 1 hour (each renewal for those serving patients 26+)
Mandated Reporter Training Required every 3 years (via DCFS)
Licensing Board IDFPR - Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by the IDFPR Social Work Board based on ASWB approval.
  • Mandated reporter training is provided by Illinois DCFS and required every 3 years.

Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in Illinois

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 30 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years (preceding February 28 of odd-numbered years)
Online CE Limit Maximum 15 hours
Sexual Harassment Prevention 1 hour
Cultural Competency 1 hour (beginning January 1, 2025)
Licensing Board Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is not accepted by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or the IL MFT Board.
  • A maximum of 15 hours can be completed online.

Psychologists

Licensed Psychologists in Illinois

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 24 hours (44 for prescribing psychologists)
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years
Ethical Practice of Psychology 3 hours
Diversity 3 hours
Sexual Harassment Prevention 1 hour
Implicit Bias Awareness 1 hour
Alzheimer's Disease/Dementias 1 hour (once every 3 renewal periods)
Cultural Competency 1 hour (beginning January 1, 2025)
Prescribing Psychologists Additional 20 hours in pharmacology
Licensing Board Illinois Clinical Psychologists Licensing and Disciplinary Board

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is not accepted by the Illinois Clinical Psychologists Licensing and Disciplinary Board at this time.
  • Prescribing Psychologists must complete 20 additional hours in pharmacology (44 hours total).

Addiction Counselors (CADC/CAADC)

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors in Illinois

Requirement Details
Total CE Hours 40 hours
Renewal Cycle Every 2 years
Category I (AOD-Specific) Minimum 15 CEUs
Category II (Core Functions) Minimum 25 CEUs
Sexual Harassment Prevention 1 hour
Home Study Limit Maximum 15 CEUs per renewal
Licensing Board Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA)

Important Notes:

  • Therapy Trainings CE is accepted by IAODAPCA based on NAADAC approval.
  • Category I covers pharmacology, substance effects, dynamics of SUD, detox, and AOD regulations.
  • Category II covers counselor skills, competencies, and knowledge base (not required to be AOD-specific).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois require sexual harassment prevention training?

Yes. Illinois mandates 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training for all mental health professionals including Counselors, Social Workers, MFTs, Psychologists, and Addiction Counselors.

What is Illinois implicit bias awareness training?

Illinois requires 1 hour of implicit bias awareness training for Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists. This covers recognizing and addressing unconscious biases in professional practice.

Does Illinois accept online continuing education?

Yes, with some limits. MFTs can complete a maximum of 15 hours online. Addiction Counselors are limited to 15 CEUs of home study programs per renewal. Other professions generally accept online CE without specific limits.

Is Therapy Trainings approved for Illinois MFTs?

No. Therapy Trainings CE is not currently accepted by the IL MFT Board. We are approved for Counselors, Social Workers, and Addiction Counselors in Illinois.

What is the cultural competency requirement in Illinois?

Beginning January 1, 2025, most Illinois mental health professionals must complete 1 hour of cultural competency training. Social Workers have a more extensive requirement of 3 hours (effective January 2024).

Official Sources

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Last updated: January 2026