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Illinois counseling license requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

We've listed some of the most common questions and answers for Illinois counseling continuing education.

How many CE Credits does Illinois require for counselors?

  • Professionals licensed by the Illinois Professional Counselor Licensing Board:

    • LPC, LCPC:

      • 30 hours every 2 years

      • Licenses expire on 3/31 of odd-numbered years

  • Marriage & Family Therapists licensed by the Illinois Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Board:

    • LMFT:
      • 30 hours every 2 years
      • License expires on 2/28 of odd-numbered years

  • Professionals Certified by the Illinois Certification Board: 

    • CADC, CAAP, CRADC, CSADC, CAADC, CPS, CSPS, CARS, CODP I, CODP II, CODP III, PCGC, CCJP, CRSS, MAATP, CVSS:

      • 40 hours every 2 years

    • CPRS, CFPP:

      • 30 hours every 2 years

    • RDPP:

      • 10 hours every 2 years

Can I use this site to earn my continuing education hours?

  • Licensed Professional Counselors:

    • Yes, the Illinois Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board accepts courses sponsored by an approved provider of professional associations, such as the NBCC. We have been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484. 

  • Marriage & Family Therapists:

    • Yes, we are an approved provider of continuing education by the IDFPR (MFT Board), provider #168.000273. 

  • Addiction Counselors:

    • Yes, the Illinois Certification Board approves individual courses for continuing education.

Licensees are responsible for completing courses that align with the content requirements for their specific license.

Other Information

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC/LCPC):

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists:

Addiction Counselors:

  • Certified AOD counselors may receive CEU credit only once for a training event, even if it is repeated during different certification periods.
  • CAAP:

  • CADC:

    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online; however, at least 25 hours must be obtained via live webinars. 
    • 15 hours of Category I: Alcohol and other drug (AOD) specific content each renewal period.
    • 25 hours of Category II: Education specific to knowledge and skills/Performance Domains; does not have to be AOD specific. This education covers counselor skills, competencies, and knowledge base.
    • Ensure you verify that the term "Counselor" is listed with the IL statement on the course page.
    • CADCs who are also Licensed Private Practitioners are required to only submit ten (10) Category I alcohol and other drug-specific CEUs for recertification. Category II CEUs are not required.

  • CRADC:

  • CSADC, CAADC:

  • CPS, CSPS:

  • CARS:

  • CODP:

  • PCGC:
    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online; however, at least 25 hours must be obtained via live webinars. 
    • 15 hours of Category I: Gambling-specific content each renewal period.
    • 25 hours of Category II: Education specific to knowledge and skills related to the five (5) performance domains, but does not have to be gambling specific. This covers training in providing client, family, and community education, intake and assessment, counseling, case management, and professional responsibility.
    • Ensure you verify that the term "PCGC" is listed with the IL statement on the course page.
    • PCGCs who are licensed psychologists and physicians, LCPCs, and LCSWs need only submit 10 Category I gambling-specific CEUs and proof of current licensure. PCGCs who are ICB-certified AOD counselors need only submit 10 Category I gambling-specific CEUs and proof of current certification. Category II CEUs are not required.

  • CCJP:

    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online; however, at least 25 hours must be obtained via live webinars. 
    • 15 hours of Category I: Criminal justice-specific content each renewal period. 
    • 25 hours of Category II: education specific to knowledge and skills related to the four criminal justice performance domains, but does not have to be criminal justice specific. This covers training in dynamics of addiction and criminal justice behavior, human growth and development, substance use related theories, pharmacology, ethics, professional responsibility, screening, intake, assessment, case management, monitoring, client supervision and counseling.
    • Ensure you verify that the term "CCJP" is listed with the IL statement on the course page.
    • CCJPs who are also ICB certified alcohol and other drug (AOD) counselors need only submit 10 Category I criminal justice specific CEUs and proof of current ICB certification. Category II CEUs are not required for CCJPs.

  • CRSS:

    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online; however, at least 25 hours must be obtained via live webinars. 
    • 15 hours of Category I: Education specific to knowledge and skills related to mental health recovery and the role of peer support in the recovery process.
    • 25 hours of Category II: Education specific to knowledge and skills related to the Core Functions of CRSS professionals, but do not have to be specific to mental health recovery and peer support.
    • Ensure you verify that the term "CRSS" is listed with the IL statement on the course page.

  • CPRS:

    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online; however, at least 15 hours must be obtained via live webinars. 
    • 20 hours of Category I: Education specific to knowledge and skills related to recovery and the role of peer support in the recovery process; of the 20 hours, six must be in CPRS ethics.
    • 10 hours of Category II: education specific to knowledge and skills related to the Core Functions of CPRS professionals, but do not have to be specific to recovery and peer support.
    • Ensure you verify that the term "CPRS" is listed with the IL statement on the course page.

  • MAATP:

  • CFPP:

    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online; however, at least 15 hours must be obtained via live webinars. 
    • 10 hours of Category I: Education specific to knowledge and skills related to the provision of services to children and families and the role of peer support to families.
    • 20 hours of Category II: Education specific to knowledge and skills related to the Core Functions of CFPPs, but does not have to be specific to direct service provision and peer support
    • Ensure you verify that the term "CFPP" is listed with the IL statement on the course page.

  • CVSS:

    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online; however, at least 25 hours must be obtained via live webinars. 
    • 15 hours of Category I: Education specific to knowledge and skills, as they relate to military culture; recovery and the role of the Veteran support specialist in the recovery process.
    • 25 hours of Category II: Education specific to knowledge and skills related to the core functions of CVSS professionals, but do not have to be specific to Veteran recovery and peer support.
    • Ensure you verify that the term "CVSS" is listed with the IL statement on the course page.

  • RDDP:

    • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online.
    • 10 hours of alcohol and other drug abuse and co-morbidity are required to maintain registration.
    • Ensure you verify that the term "RDDP" is listed with the IL statement on the course page.

Illinois Early Intervention Program (EITP):

*One-time requirement

Refer to your regulatory agency for the most current information about your continuing education requirements.

Approval Organizations

American Psychological Association logo
American Psychological Association

Continued is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Continued maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Illinois Certification Board
Illinois Certification Board

Illinois Certification Board (ICB): Select courses on Continued are approved by the ICB.

Illinois Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) CE Sponsor
Illinois Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) CE Sponsor

Continued is an approved provider by the IDFPR (MFT Board), provider #168.000273. 

NBCC CE Hours logo
National Board for Certified Counselors Approved Continuing Education Provider

Continued has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Continued is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.