In the state of Illinois, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people who have careers as licensed professionals. These professions can range from the obvious, such as doctors and nurses, to the not-so-obvious, like architects and engineers. The one thing that all of these careers have in common is the need to become licensed in the state they practice. The state of Illinois has also put into place certain requirements for license renewal for many professions, one such requirement is continuing education. This requirement exists for the sake of maintaining a knowledgeable and up-to-date workforce. One such profession that requires continuing education is social work.

Understanding Social Work Licensure

In Illinois, there are two types of licenses you can receive in the social work profession: a licensed social worker (LSW) and a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). These two types of licenses are very similar, though they have separate qualifications and requirements, mostly depending on your experience as a social worker. No matter the type of license, social work licenses expire on November 30 of every odd-numbered year. Despite these differences, the continuing education requirements are the same for these licenses.

Maintaining Continuing Education Requirements for Social Workers

The first time a social worker goes to renew their license, they do not have to have completed any continuing education requirements, though they must still submit an application for renewal. The second time a social worker renews their license, they must certify that they have completed 30 hours of continuing education. These 30 hours of education must be related to the practice of social work but they must also consist of:

There are laws governing all sorts of professions, from doctors and nurses to cosmetologists and architects. When it comes to professions such as social work, there are certain things that are explicitly spelled out as being inappropriate and not tolerated in the Illinois Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. The Act contains information about what is expected from Illinois social workers and what is considered to be unprofessional conduct. If you are accused of unprofessional conduct as a social worker, you could face disciplinary action such as a license suspension or revocation, probation or reprimand.

Examples of Unprofessional Conduct

If you are a person who works in a profession that is regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), such as social work, there are certain standards of behavior that you must abide by or face the consequences. Here are a few ways you can be subject to disciplinary action as a social worker:

• Misstatements when providing information to the IDFPR or other state agency or to an insurance company when filing a claim on behalf of a client or patient
• Being convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in which an essential element of the offense was dishonesty or directly related to social work
• Fraud or misrepresentation when applying for a social work license
• Professional incompetence
• Gross negligence when practicing social work
• Aiding or assisting another person in violating any rules set forth by the Social Work Act
• Habitual or excessive use of drugs or alcohol
• Violating the terms of probation, if your license has been placed on probationary status
• Abandoning a client without cause
• Failing to report suspected child abuse or neglect
• Making or filing false records or reports relating to your practice
• Being named as a perpetrator in a child abuse or neglect case
• Physical or mental illness, impairment or disability that could cause you to be unable to practice with reasonable judgment, skill or safety
• Soliciting services through false or misleading advertising
• Violating the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act

Talk With an Illinois Social Work License Defense Attorney Today

If you are facing disciplinary action because you have been accused of violating any of the above terms, you should immediately contact a skilled Illinois social work license defense lawyer. At the Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, LLC, we can help you figure out the best course of action to defend against any charge you may be facing. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at 630-310-1267.