CTS Online Application Instructions - Illinois Clinical Social Worker (149) - Application for Licensure by Examination Instructional Guide

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora

CTS online application instructions for the Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensing exam (149) outline a dual-track process: applicants must submit to CTS and also register with ASWB. The guide stresses that applicants must not apply directly to CTS before creating an IDFPR account and receiving an ID#. It explains email-based notifications (ATT), application validity and retesting requirements, fee payment rules, status checking online, typical result release timelines, and post-exam steps for license issuance by IDFPR.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

CTS Online Application Instructions

Illinois Clinical Social Worker (149)

Applying for Licensure by Examination

Fee(s)

Authorization to Test (ATT)

Checking Your Application Status

What Happens After Taking the Exam

Procedures for RETAKING the Exam

New Law Effective 1/1/26 (225 ILCS 20/8.2)

Sec. 8.2 Examination alternative

CTS Online Application Instructions: Illinois Clinical Social Worker (149) Application for Licensure by Examination Instructional Guide: IMPORTANT: Do NOT apply directly to Continental Testing Services, Inc. (CTS) until you have created your IDFPR account and received your unique identiﬁer. Please submit your application through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR): [https://idfpr.illinois.gov/core.html](https://idfpr.illinois.gov/core.html) Upon submission of the required application for the Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensing exam, you will receive a notiﬁcation via email with the Subject: Authority to Sit for an Examination. This email will have an ID\# that you will use when applying at CTS. You will need this identiﬁer when applying for testing through CTS website. Application for Licensure by Examination Applying for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Examination is a DUAL process. All applicants must both apply to CTS and register with the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) . • [Apply online with CTS at](Apply online with CTS at www.continentaltesting. net)[ ](Apply online with CTS at www.continentaltesting. net)[www.continentaltesting. net](Apply online with CTS at www.continentaltesting. net), and pay the required fee(s). • Please allow 7-10 business days after applying with Continental Testing Services (CTS) prior to registering with ASWB online at [aswb.org](aswb.org) or by calling ASWB Candidate Services at 888-579-3926. Once eligibility is granted you will be emailed an Authorization to Test (ATT) from ASWB. Please refer to the ASWB Candidate Handbook for information about the examination process and other ways of registering for the examination. NOTE: The IDFPR application is valid for three (3) years, if you do not pass the examination within those three (3) years you will need to reapply to IDFPR as a NEW applicant and resubmit all new documentation before you are allowed toretest. Please allow 10 business days for the application review prior to contacting IDFPR for status. Do NOT apply directly to Continental Testing Services, Inc. (CTS) until you have created your IDFPR account and received your unique identiﬁer. Fee(s) • All fee payments must be in US dollars, drawn on a US Bank, and in the form of a certiﬁed check or money order. Any payment generated by a bank outside of the US will not be accepted by our ﬁnancial institutions. All Fees are Nonrefundable. • If you have completed your application online and are submitting payment by mail, you must print, sign, and date the application and return it with the payment. NOTE: All communication with applicants is accomplished via email; therefore, it is critical that applicants provide a valid email address as part of their application process. Authorization to Test (ATT) Please refer to the ASWB Candidate Handbook at [aswb.org](aswb.org) for information about the examination process and other ways of registering for the examination. NOTE: The three-year application validity supersedes the date shown on the ATT. Remember to allow adequate time for scheduling a test date before your IDFPR application expires Checking Your Application Status • Application status is updated every business day and is only available online and NOT available by phone or email. You can check your status on the CTS home page under Application Status and Test Results. The direct [link is](link is www.continentaltesting.net/OnlineStatus/Login.aspx)[ ](link is www.continentaltesting.net/OnlineStatus/Login.aspx)[www.continentaltesting.net/OnlineStatus/Login.aspx](link is www.continentaltesting.net/OnlineStatus/Login.aspx). What Happens After Taking the Exam • Official examination results are usually released within 4 weeks following the exam • An Official Results Letter will be sent by CTS after the grades have been reviewed. Please make sure your address and email addres

FAQs

What is the first step before applying for the LCSW exam through CTS?

Create your IDFPR account and receive your unique identifier. Do not apply directly to CTS until you have that identifier.

How does the application process work for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker exam?

It is a dual process: you must apply to CTS and register with ASWB. You apply/pay with CTS, then register with ASWB after CTS timing requirements and eligibility.

What happens if I don’t pass the exam within the three-year IDFPR application validity?

You must reapply to IDFPR as a new applicant and resubmit new documentation before you are allowed to retest.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora