Before You Begin

• ✅ Verify your clinical social worker license renewal date to ensure you complete the training during the current renewal period
• ✅ Confirm that your renewal occurs on or after January 1, 2026, which is when the Alzheimer’s and dementia requirement became effective
• ✅ Review your current continuing education credits to determine how many additional hours you need beyond this one-hour dementia requirement

Complete Your Training

• ✅ Select an IDFPR-approved continuing education provider that offers courses meeting Illinois dementia training requirements for clinical social workers
• ✅ Enroll in a one-hour Alzheimer’s and dementia course that specifically covers diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with dementia
• ✅ Complete the entire course content, including any required assessments or evaluations to demonstrate competency
• ✅ Verify that your course completion satisfies Illinois state requirements and can be applied toward your 30-hour total CE obligation

Complete Your Required Alzheimer’s & Dementia Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.

After Completion

• ✅ Download and save your certificate of completion in both digital and printed formats for your records
• ✅ Store your dementia training certificate with your other continuing education documentation in a secure location
• ✅ Maintain all CE records for at least five years as required by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation regulations
• ✅ Include your dementia training certificate as part of your license renewal submission or keep it available if selected for audit

Completing your Illinois Alzheimer’s and dementia training requirement does not need to be complicated. By following this checklist and choosing an approved online provider, you can fulfill your obligation efficiently while gaining valuable knowledge that enhances your clinical practice. Stay ahead of your renewal deadline and maintain your professional license in good standing.

Related Illinois CE Resources:

Social Worker MI Implicit Bias: ASWB-ACE Approved 2-Hour LARA CE

2025-2027 Alzheimer’s & Dementia CE Requirements for Illinois Clinical Social Workers 

How many hours of Alzheimer’s & Dementia training are required in Illinois?

Illinois clinical social workers must complete one contact hour of continuing education on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This single hour must focus specifically on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The requirement became effective for all license renewals occurring on or after January 1, 2026.

Who must complete this training?

All licensed clinical social workers in Illinois must complete the dementia training requirement. This applies to anyone holding an active clinical social work license who is renewing after the January 1, 2026 effective date. The requirement is part of the statutory obligations for license renewal set forth by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Complete Your Required Alzheimer’s & Dementia Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.

When is the Alzheimer’s & Dementia training due?

The dementia training must be completed during your renewal period. Clinical social worker licenses in Illinois renew biennially, and you must fulfill this requirement along with your other 30 hours of continuing education before your license expiration date. If your renewal falls after January 1, 2026, you must include this one hour as part of your CE documentation. The training must be completed within your current renewal cycle and cannot be carried forward from previous periods.

What topics does the training cover?

The state-mandated course addresses essential knowledge for social workers serving clients with cognitive impairment. Content includes identifying signs and symptoms of different dementia types, understanding diagnostic processes, implementing therapeutic interventions, developing effective communication strategies with affected individuals and their families, and recognizing the psychosocial impact of dementia. The training also covers behavioral management techniques and person-centered care approaches that clinical social workers can apply in various practice settings.

Complete Your Required Alzheimer’s & Dementia Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.

Can I take the course online?

Yes, you can complete the Alzheimer’s and dementia training entirely online through approved continuing education providers. Online courses offer the flexibility to study at your own pace from any location with internet access. Most approved providers offer courses that can be completed on computers, tablets, or smartphones. Upon completion, you receive an immediate certificate that satisfies the state requirement.

Which CE providers are approved?

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation recognizes continuing education from providers approved by national accrediting bodies. Look for courses from providers accredited by organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which maintains rigorous standards for educational content and delivery. The course must specifically state that it meets Illinois requirements for clinical social worker dementia training. Always verify that your chosen provider is recognized by IDFPR before enrolling.

How do I get my certificate?

After successfully completing an approved dementia course, you receive a certificate of completion from your CE provider. Most online providers offer instant digital certificates that you can download immediately after finishing the course. Save this certificate with your other continuing education documentation, as you may need to provide proof of completion during the license renewal process. Maintain records of all CE activities for at least five years as required by Illinois regulations.

Complete Your Required Alzheimer’s & Dementia Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.

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
  https://renewnowce.com/course-details/228
• Illinois RN License Renewal CE Package
  https://renewnowce.com/course-details/227
  

What is required for Illinois Clinical Social Workers?

Under Illinois Public Act 103-0563, all licensed clinical social workers must complete one contact hour of continuing education focused on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia during each renewal period. This requirement took effect for renewals occurring on or after January 1, 2026.

The training must address the appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This requirement is in addition to your standard 30 hours of continuing education required for clinical social worker license renewal in Illinois.

The course must be provided by an approved continuing education provider recognized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Upon completion, you must maintain documentation of your certificate as part of your license renewal records. For complete details, refer to the official regulation.

Complete Your Required Alzheimer’s & Dementia Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.

What does the Alzheimer’s & Dementia training cover?

The state-mandated training provides clinical social workers with evidence-based knowledge essential for working with clients affected by dementia. The curriculum covers key areas of assessment, intervention, and supportive care.

• Recognition of early warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and various dementia types including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal disorders
• Current diagnostic criteria and assessment tools used to evaluate cognitive impairment and functional decline in clinical practice
• Evidence-based therapeutic approaches including cognitive stimulation, behavioral interventions, and person-centered care strategies
• Communication techniques for engaging clients with cognitive impairment and providing support to family caregivers
• Understanding the progression of dementia and planning for transitions in care settings and end-of-life considerations
• Psychosocial interventions to address depression, anxiety, agitation, and other behavioral symptoms associated with dementia

Complete Your Required Alzheimer’s & Dementia Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.

How to complete your Illinois Alzheimer’s & Dementia requirement

Meeting your state-mandated dementia training requirement is straightforward when you use an approved online provider.

1. Select an IDFPR-approved continuing education provider that offers the Alzheimer’s and dementia course meeting Illinois requirements
2. Complete the one-hour online training at your own pace from any device with internet access
3. Pass any required assessment to demonstrate comprehension of the material
4. Download your completion certificate immediately upon finishing the course
5. Maintain your certificate with your other CE documentation for license renewal

Common questions about Illinois Alzheimer’s & Dementia CE

Do I need to complete this every renewal cycle? Yes, the one hour of Alzheimer’s and dementia training must be completed during each renewal period as part of your continuing education requirements.

Can I count this toward my 30-hour CE requirement? Yes, the one hour of dementia training counts toward your total 30 hours of continuing education required for clinical social worker license renewal in Illinois.

What happens if I renewed before January 1, 2026? If you renewed your license before the effective date, you will need to complete the dementia training requirement for your next renewal cycle.

Complete Your Required Alzheimer’s & Dementia Training Online
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — ANCC-accredited with instant certificate.

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
  https://renewnowce.com/course-details/228
• Illinois RN License Renewal CE Package
  https://renewnowce.com/course-details/227