Licensure
Introduction to Licensure
Anyone who wishes to work as a social worker in the United States must obtain a license, and the requirements vary by state. Licensing can require completing a master’s degree, passing an exam, and completing a specific number of supervised hours with an experienced, licensed clinical social worker. The Illinois statute specifically requires “that any person engaged as a social worker must be licensed.”
First-year Crown Family School Students
If you are in the Clinical Concentration and plan to sit for your state board’s exam after graduation, we highly recommend that you take the Integrative DSM-V Assessment during the Spring Quarter of your First Year. The Crown Family School does not require this course; however, many states do require it for licensure.
Second-year Crown Family School Students
You should review the information and links on this page during your second year, but you will need to wait until your degree is conferred before taking the next steps. The NASW-IL website is also an excellent resource for familiarizing yourself with the steps you will need to take post-graduation. Click here to view our Licensure Resource Guide.
Licensing is a state function, but all exams are developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and cover national-level content. There are four exam levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical. You need to check with the state in which you intend to practice to determine specific requirements. To get started, review your state’s social work licensure requirements and links to its social work board. All states require verification of education. Please review the Verification of Education Forms section below for the instructions.
Becoming a Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
Students who will be working as social workers are encouraged to apply for their LSW (Licensed Social Worker) after graduation.
If you decide to stay in Illinois after graduating from the Crown Family School, you may apply for a license to become an LSW in Illinois. As of January 1, 2022, the ASWB examination is no longer required for LSW licensure in Illinois. Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) by accessing the IDFPR social work page or clicking directly to the licensure instructions and application. Follow the instructions for “Non-Examination—Social Worker” on page two of the document. We recommend that you complete the virtual application for quicker processing, which prompts you to create an account on the IDFPR website. The University of Chicago is responsible for completing the Certification of Education form once your degree has been conferred. Please review the Verification of Education Forms section below for the instructions.
If you move out of Illinois, please review your state’s social work licensure requirements for the LSW.
Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) license allows social workers to practice independently. Only experience supervised by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker will meet the professional experience requirement. Please note that states outside of Illinois may use different acronyms than “LCSW.”
Preparing for Your LCSW Exam:
Crown Family School graduates who took our 301 courses will have the necessary knowledge to pass the LCSW exam, and we recommend courses that address the structure and application of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
To register for the exam:
If you stay in Illinois after graduating from Crown Family School and are supervised in clinical social work for 3,000 hours (approximately 2 years), you can take the exam to become an LCSW in Illinois. Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) by accessing the IDFPR social work page or click directly to the licensure instructions and application. Follow the instructions for “Examination—Social Worker” on page two of the document.
Once you have your board’s approval, you can move forward with registering to take the test. There is a fee, and the exam is scheduled for multiple dates at testing sites across the United States. For complete instructions on how to register, please reference the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Examination Guidebook. Each state may have its own fees for processing applications and issuing licenses. Please check with your social work board for these fees.
Applying for Licensure as an LCSW:
After passing the exam, your next step is to apply for licensure through your jurisdiction’s social work board.
Students remaining in Illinois should contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Students who move out of Illinois should contact the Department of Professional Regulation in their state. Again, a listing of social work boards by state can be found here.
Verification of Education Forms
To request verification of your education:
- For Illinois licensure, fill out the top portion of the ED Form and email it to Crown's Dean of Students Office at dos@crownschool.uchicago.edu. (We no longer accept or mail paper forms, so please be sure to send this electronically.)
- If your state requires a different form than the ED form above, please send it directly to us at dos@crownschool.uchicago.edu.
- Please make sure to sign and date the document to authorize the University of Chicago to release its information to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) or any other state licensing department you are applying to.
- After the form is completed, it will be sent back to the applicant for their Illinois licensing application. For applications out of state, the form will be sent to the respective location by the Crown Dean of Students' Office.
- Please allow 7-10 business days for processing, potentially longer during busier seasons (graduation, orientation, etc.).
- You must request transcripts through the University of Chicago's Registrar's Office here.
Exam Preparations
If you need review materials for your LCSW exam:
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) also offers an online practice exam for a fee. If you need to request special accommodations, you should arrange them directly with the ASWB after you have been approved by your state to take the exam.
Understanding Reciprocity:
Illinois social workers who hold an Illinois license and wish to obtain licensure in another state should contact the licensing body in that state. There is currently no direct reciprocity between states. For referral to the appropriate entity, review getting licensed in another state or province.
Any other questions? Contact: