Answer: Yes. Illinois social workers—including Licensed Social Workers (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and all other social work license types—must complete 1 hour of implicit bias continuing education during each license renewal cycle. This requirement is mandatory and counts toward your total continuing education hours. Training must be completed before your license renewal deadline and cannot be carried forward from a previous period. Courses must be approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and ANCC-accredited providers are generally accepted. Online completion is fully valid, and the certificate should be retained for at least one full renewal cycle.
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How many hours of implicit bias training are required in Illinois?
Illinois social workers must complete 1 hour of implicit bias continuing education for each license renewal. This is a mandatory component of your total continuing education requirements.
The 1-hour requirement applies at every renewal cycle. You cannot carry forward implicit bias hours from a previous renewal period.
Who must complete implicit bias training?
All licensed social workers regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must complete the implicit bias requirement. This includes Licensed Social Workers (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and all other social work license types in Illinois.
The requirement applies regardless of your practice setting or patient population. Both active and inactive licensees must meet this requirement to renew.
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When is the implicit bias training due?
Your implicit bias training must be completed before your license renewal deadline. Illinois social work licenses renew on different schedules depending on your license type and issue date.
Check your renewal date in your online account with IDFPR. Complete your implicit bias training before that date to ensure compliance.
What topics does the training cover?
The implicit bias course addresses how unconscious biases affect healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Topics include recognizing implicit biases, understanding their impact on health disparities, and implementing strategies to reduce bias in clinical practice.
The training also covers cultural humility, patient-centered communication, and ethical obligations to provide equitable care to all patients.
Complete Your Required Implicit Bias Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.
Can I take the course online?
Yes. Online courses from approved providers fully satisfy the Illinois implicit bias requirement. Online training offers the convenience of completing the course on your schedule from any device.
The online format includes the same evidence-based content as in-person training and meets all state requirements.
Which CE providers are approved?
Illinois allows licensees regulated by IDFPR to fulfill the implicit bias requirement through courses approved by any relevant licensing board. This gives social workers flexibility to choose high-quality programs from multiple accredited providers.
Courses from ANCC-accredited providers meet the requirement for social workers and other healthcare professionals in Illinois.
How do I get my certificate?
With an online course, you receive your certificate immediately upon completion. Download and save the PDF certificate for your records. You’ll need to attest to completion when renewing your license online, though you don’t submit the actual certificate to the state.
Keep your certificate for at least one full renewal cycle in case of audit.
Complete Your Required Implicit Bias Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.
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Related Illinois CE Resources
- Illinois 2026 License Renewal: Complete Guide to Mandatory CE Requirements
https://renewnowce.com/blog/2025/10/27/illinois-2026-license-renewal-complete-guide-to-mandatory-ce-requirements/ - Illinois 4-Hour Mandated CE Package – Renew Now CE
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