Behavioral Health Careers by State

The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for people who want a job or career in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention. There are many ways to start and grow a career in behavioral health. Each path has its own requirements for getting and keeping a license or certification, and these requirements can be different depending on where you live. You can also learn more about each role.

Map of the United States

Illinois Careers

Addiction Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Undergraduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours (generally supervised); 250 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 6000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 6000 hours (generally supervised); 100-300 hours (directly supervised), depending on degree
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 10000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 10000 hours (generally supervised); 300 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 300 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 120 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 4000 hours (generally supervised); 150 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 120 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No for nurse licensure; No for APRN
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, Must be a licensed RN; 4000 hours needed for full practice authority
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, Must be a licensed RN
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 50 hours

Clinical Social Worker

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 3000 hours (masters); 2000 hours (doctorate)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 3000/2000 hours generally supervised (depending on degree); 4 hours per month (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Marriage and Family Therapist

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	No renewal permitted (license is valid for 5 years)
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 3000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 200 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Mental Health Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 1680 or 3360 hours (depending on degree level)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 1680 or 3360 hours generally supervised (depending on degree level); 1 hour per week (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	No
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 30 hours

Physician Assistant

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	No
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 50 hours

Prevention Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 8000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 8000 hours (generally supervised); 240 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Certification Board For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	High school/GED
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 120 hours (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 40 hours

Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	36 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 150 hours

Psychologist

Issuing body and coverage area	Issuer of the license or certification	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) For more information
Issuing body and coverage area	Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification?	Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time	What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification?	Graduate
	Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification?	Yes
	Are practice hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 1750 hours
	Are supervision hours required for this license or certification?	Yes, 1750 hours (generally supervised); 1 hour per week (directly supervised)
	Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction?	Yes
Renewing a license or certification	How frequently does this license or certification require renewal?	24 months
Renewing a license or certification	Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification?	Yes, 24 hours

Behavioral Health Careers by State

Illinois Careers

Addiction Counselor

Co-Occurring Disorder Professional II (CODP II)

Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CRADC)

Certified Supervisor Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CSADC)

Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAADC)

Medication Assisted Addiction Treatment Professionals (MAATP)

Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC)

Co-Occurring Disorder Professional I (CODP I)

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Clinical Social Worker

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Marriage and Family Therapist

Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Mental Health Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant

Prevention Specialist

Certified Senior Prevention Specialist (CSPS)

Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS)

Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician

Physician

Psychologist

Clinical Psychologist