Illinois Psychologist Continuing Education Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
This page addresses continuing education (CE) requirements for Illinois Licensed Clinical Psychologists (LCP) and Prescribing Psychologists (RxP), based on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) rules.
Illinois Training Requirement for LCPs
How many CE hours are required for Illinois psychologists?
Is CE required for the first license renewal?
No. CE is not required for the first renewal of an Illinois psychologist license. The 24-hour requirement applies beginning with the second renewal cycle.
What additional CE is required for Prescribing Psychologists (RxP)?
Prescribing Psychologists must complete an additional 20 hours of continuing education in pharmacology, on top of the standard 24-hour requirement.
Regulatory Source and Verification
Source: Illinois Administrative Code
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Clinical Psychology Licensing Act, Continuing Education rule: 68 Ill. Admin. Code 1400.60 and Rules 68 IAC Section 1130.Subpart E.
Available at: idfpr.illinois.gov (See the IDFPR Psychologist CE Factsheet).
What specific CE topics are required for IL clinical psychologists?
Of the 24 required hours, the following topic areas are mandatory:
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3 hours: Diversity (fulfill this 3 CE)
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1 hour: Sexual Harassment Prevention training (Get this training)
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1 hour: Cultural Competency training (required beginning January 1, 2025) (get this course)
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1 hour: Mandated Reporting Training Through DCFS, indicated in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, 325 ILCS 5/4(a)(2).
Who are approved CE sponsors in Illinois?
Approved CE sponsors include:
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American Psychological Association (APA) or affiliates
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National Register of Health Service Psychologists
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Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
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American Medical Association (AMA) or affiliates
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Illinois Psychological Association (IPA) or affiliates
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Accredited colleges, universities, or state agencies
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Licensed Psychology CE Sponsors, such as Spring Advisory, PLLC, Illinois Psychologist CE Sponsor #268.000141, that provides the Illinois LCP required CE trainings.
FAQ
What activities qualify for Illinois Psychologist CE credit?
Qualifying activities include:
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Attending an in-person course or program offered by an approved CE sponsor, inside or outside Illinois
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Participating remotely (live or pre-recorded) in a course or program offered by an approved CE sponsor
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Completing post-graduate training programs or graduate-level psychology courses: each semester hour equals 15 CE hours, each quarter hour equals 10 CE hours; audited courses do not qualify
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Verified teaching in psychology at an accredited institution or as an instructor for an approved CE sponsor: credited at 1.5 CE hours per hour taught, limited to 10 CE hours per renewal cycle, and claimable only the first time the material is presented
Does Illinois require Sexual Harassment Prevention training for psychologists?
Yes. Illinois LCPs must complete 1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training as part of the 24-hour CE requirement each license cycle. See the dedicated page on Illinois Sexual Harassment Prevention CE requirements for psychologists for further detail.
Does Illinois require Implicit Bias Awareness training for psychologists?
Yes. Illinois LCPs must complete 1 hour of Implicit Bias Awareness training as part of the 24-hour CE requirement each license cycle.
Does Illinois require Cultural Competency training for psychologists?
Yes, beginning January 1, 2025. Illinois LCPs must complete 1 hour of Cultural Competency training as part of the 24-hour CE requirement each license cycle.
Does Illinois require Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias training for psychologists?
Yes, on a 3-cycle schedule. Illinois LCPs must complete 1 hour of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias training once every 3 renewal periods.
Do Illinois psychologists need to submit proof of CE to IDFPR?
Most licensees are not required to submit CE documentation at renewal. Licensees certify a yes/no attestation confirming CE completion. IDFPR requires proof of CE only in connection with license restoration, a random CE audit, or license discipline. Licensees are responsible for retaining proof of CE completion and providing it to IDFPR upon request; failure to do so may result in discipline.
Can an Illinois psychologist request a waiver of CE requirements?
A one-time CE waiver may be requested for the following circumstances:
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Full-time service in the U.S. armed forces during a substantial part of the license cycle
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An incapacitating illness documented by a currently licensed physician (a waiver will not be granted for the same illness in 2 consecutive license cycles)
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Temporary undue hardship or similar extenuating circumstances
The waiver request must be submitted with the renewal application, before the license expiration date, and must include third-party evidence supporting the circumstances. Waiver requests are not considered for late renewal or license restoration.
Can these training count towards my required CE?
Yes, mandated training are now a required CE topic for Illinois Psychologists and count towards your 24 CE requirements for license renewal.
Can I skip taking this course because I teach psychology, which is also a qualified CE activity?
No. While teaching in a psychology-related course in a university, college, or graduate school counts towards your CE, you are still required to fulfill state-required CE trainings.
Can Illinois psychologists complete CE outside of Illinois?
Yes, if the course is offered by an approved CE sponsor. See the IDFPR Psychologist CE factsheet to see the list of approved CE providers.
Spring Advisory is an APA and IDFPR-approved CE provider that has created CE bundle courses specifically designed for Illinois Psychologist license renewals.
Where can I find CE courses that satisfy Illinois Psychologist CE requirements?
Spring Advisory is an APA and IDFPR-approved CE provider that has created CE bundle courses specifically designed for Illinois Psychologist license renewals. They offer an Illinois Psychologist License Renewal 10 CE Bundle, including required topics in:
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3 hours of Ethics for Practice of Psychology
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3 hours of Diversity course covering discrimination and racism
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1 hour of Sexual Harassment Prevention training
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1 hour of Implicit Bias Awareness Training
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1 hour of Cultural Competency training (required beginning January 1, 2025)
The only topic not included in this bundle but is required in Illinois is Mandated Reporting, which Psychologists are required to take from the Department of Children and Family Services. Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, 325 ILCS 5/4(a)(2) designates psychologists (and ANY mental health professionals) as mandated reporters.
Where can I find CE courses that will satisfy the Illinois Psychologist license renewal?
Spring Advisory offers Illinois-approved and American Psychological Association-approved continuing education courses covering the required topic areas above, including Ethics, Diversity, Sexual Harassment Prevention, Implicit Bias Awareness, Cultural Competency, and Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias. View Spring Advisory's Illinois psychologist License Renewal 10 CE course offerings.
Additional topics, including adult ADHD, adult autism, art therapy, additional ethics courses, working with parents in child psychotherapy, suicide risk assessment, and clinical supervision, are available on edu.springadv.com
Source: IDFPR Psychologist Continuing Education Fact Sheet, Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) and Prescribing Psychologist (RxP), CE-PSY (06/24). Requirements are governed by administrative code 68 IAC Section 1400.60 and 68 IAC Section 1130 Subpart E. Licensees should confirm current requirements directly with IDFPR before relying on this summary.
Can Illinois Psychologists take CE courses online?
Yes, according to the Illinois Administrative Code 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1400.60(b)(2):
You can earn CE credits for your Illinois Psychologist License renewal by taking a CE course from an approved CE provider remotely or in person. All CE requires a post-test exam and an evaluation. Spring Advisory is an approved CE provider for Illinois Psychologists.
Are these mandatory CE requirements a once-in-a-lifetime requirement?
No. IDFPR specifies the time, topic, and interval of the mandated CEs. Most of the mandated topics are required at every renewal. Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias training are required once every 3 renewal periods (detailed in Rules 68 IAC Section 1130.Subpart E.); mandated reporter training is required within three months of their date of engagement in a professional or official capacity as a mandated reporter, or within the timeframe of any other applicable state law that governs training requirements for a specific profession, and at least every three years thereafter.