Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Illinois · regulated by IDFPR — Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LSW (Licensed Social Worker) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 3,000 hours of satisfactory, supervised clinical professional experience after the MSW (2,000 after a DSW/doctorate) |
| Supervision | Average of at least 4 hours each month |
| Weekly cap | Full-time 30–40 hours/week; part-time not more than 29 hours/week |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical exam, or examination alternative (extra 3,000 supervised professional hours) for those who attempted the exam on/after Jan 1, 2019 |
Supervision
- How much: Average of at least 4 hours each month
- How often: Supervisor met with applicant an average of at least 4 hours each month
- Group supervision: Individual or group; group may not exceed five supervisees
- Who may supervise: Licensed clinical social worker only (Illinois-licensed if applicant located in Illinois); paid or unpaid; inside or outside agency
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted — hours must follow the master's/doctoral social work degree
- Paperwork: VE-SW (Verification of Experience), completed by supervisor; one per site/supervisor/experience
Can you be supervised remotely in Illinois?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: video status not stated.
- Video supervision: Part 1470 requires the supervisor to meet the applicant an average of 4 h/month but never states the modality; no face-to-face, video or telehealth wording in the rule or Act.
- Supervisor licensed in Illinois? required when the applicant is located in Illinois (Illinois-licensed LCSW)
- Supervisor credential: No supervisor registration or training requirement; LCSW only (out-of-state: clinical SW at the highest level that jurisdiction requires)
- Supervisee cap: Group supervision limited to 5 supervisees
- If you live outside Illinois: Illinois location = Illinois-licensed supervisor; out-of-state applicants treating Illinois clients not addressed
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
P.A. 104-702 (eff. 1-1-27) amends §9: LCSW hours must be earned after obtaining an LSW license (or during practice pending LSW); earlier qualifying post-degree hours grandfathered. Since 1-1-26 exam-alternative hours require an LSW.
Where the rules are unclear
Illinois’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Does IDFPR accept synchronous video meetings toward the 4 hours/month LCSW supervision under 1470.20(a)(4)(A)?
In the board’s own words
“Persons holding a master's degree in social work shall have completed 3,000 hours of satisfactory, supervised clinical professional experience subsequent to the receipt of the degree” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(1)✓ matched in the source
“The supervisor shall have met with the applicant an average of at least 4 hours each month to discuss client cases and treatment procedures.” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4)(A)✓ matched in the source
“for full-time experience, a minimum of 30 hours per week but not more than 40 hours per week” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(3)(A)✓ matched in the source
“Professional clinical experience obtained while the applicant is located in Illinois must be supervised by an Illinois licensed social worker.” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4) (clinical professional experience) and 1470.20 LSW independent-practice paragraph (c)✓ matched in the source
“The supervisor shall have met with the applicant an average of at least 4 hours each month to discuss client cases and treatment procedures.” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4) (clinical professional experience) and 1470.20 LSW independent-practice paragraph (c)✓ matched in the source
“When group supervision is provided the number of supervisees may not exceed five.” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4) (clinical professional experience) and 1470.20 LSW independent-practice paragraph (c)✓ matched in the source
“An applicant may contract with a licensed clinical social worker to provide supervision.” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4) (clinical professional experience) and 1470.20 LSW independent-practice paragraph (c)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision may be provided within an agency of employment or outside the agency.” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4) (clinical professional experience) and 1470.20 LSW independent-practice paragraph (c)✓ matched in the source
“a licensed social worker shall always operate and represent themself as an employee of the independent practice and may not work as an independent contractor” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4) (clinical professional experience) and 1470.20 LSW independent-practice paragraph (c)✓ matched in the source
“only experience supervised by a licensed clinical social worker will be acceptable to meet the professional clinical experience requirement” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4) (clinical professional experience) and 1470.20 LSW independent-practice paragraph (c)✓ matched in the source
“Professional clinical experience obtained while the applicant is located in Illinois must be supervised by an Illinois licensed social worker.” — 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a)(4) (clinical professional experience) and 1470.20 LSW independent-practice paragraph (c)✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in Illinois
- LCPC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Illinois licenses · every state
Sources
- 225 ILCS 20/9 (Qualifications for clinical social worker license), text before and after P.A. 104-702
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1470.20(a) (Clinical Professional Experience)
- IDFPR Qualifications for Licensure: LCSW (149), eff. 05/2025, pp.1-4
Checked against IDFPR — Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.