CPR Certification for Social Workers in Chicago — Illinois LCSW & LSW License CPR

Yes — the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires licensed social workers (LCSW and LSW) to maintain current CPR certification as part of their continuing education requirements for license renewal. Additionally, most Illinois school districts require school social workers to hold current CPR certification.

Illinois social workers typically need AHA Heartsaver CPR + AED or CPR + First Aid. Social workers in hospital systems, hospice settings, or clinical environments may be required to hold AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers. Check with the IDFPR or your employer for specific requirements.

AHA CPR certifications are valid for 2 years from the issue date. Illinois social work license renewal cycles are every 2 years, so most social workers renew their CPR at the same time as their license. We recommend renewing 60 days before expiration.

Yes — we specialize in on-site CPR training for social services agencies, group homes, shelters, and schools throughout Chicago and the suburbs. We bring all manikins and AED trainers to your location and can certify your entire team in a single session without disrupting client services.

CPR + First Aid is $95–$145 per person. BLS for Healthcare Providers is $85 (initial) or $65 (renewal). Group rates for agencies start at $75 per person for teams of 4 or more. On-site training has no additional travel fee within the Chicago metro area.

Yes — DCFS and child welfare agencies in Illinois typically require all direct-service staff to hold current CPR + First Aid certification. This includes case managers, investigators, foster care workers, and residential staff. We offer group training tailored to child welfare scenarios.

School social workers typically need the same CPR + First Aid certification as other social workers. Some districts may also require First Aid specifically. The Illinois State Board of Education recommends CPR certification for all school support staff, including social workers.

Yes — our AHA CPR cards are issued directly by the American Heart Association and accepted by the IDFPR for Illinois social work license renewal. Cards are valid for 2 years and recognized nationwide for social work licensure.

While CPR follows a standardized AHA curriculum, our instructors emphasize scenarios relevant to social workers: client cardiac events during home visits, crisis response in shelters and group homes, allergic reactions, choking in infants and children (relevant for foster care workers), and emergency protocols for vulnerable populations.

Yes — hospice and palliative care social workers typically need CPR certification, though some hospice agencies may have specific requirements based on their policies. BLS for Healthcare Providers is recommended for medical social workers in hospice settings who work closely with clinical teams.