Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a)
Continuing Education Hour Requirements
1)
Every funeral director and embalmer renewal applicant shall complete 24 CE
hours relevant to the practice of funeral directing and embalming during each
prerenewal period. The 24 CE hours shall include a minimum of 6 interactive CE
hours related to the practice of funeral directing and a minimum of 6
interactive CE hours related to the practice of embalming. No more than 6 CE
hours may consist of insurance courses.
2) Every funeral director renewal applicant
shall complete 12 CE hours relevant to the practice of funeral directing during
each prerenewal period. No more than 3 CE hours may consist of insurance
courses.
3) The Division shall
conduct random audits to verify CE compliance.
4) A renewal applicant is not required to
comply with CE requirements for the first renewal following the original
issuance of the license.
5) Funeral
directors and embalmers licensed in Illinois but residing and practicing in
other states must comply with the CE requirements set forth in this
Section.
b) Activities
for which CE credit may be earned are as follows:
1) Verified attendance at a CE course or
participation in a program given by a licensed CE sponsor.
2) A maximum of 6 CE hours for funeral
directors or 12 CE hours for funeral directors and embalmers per prerenewal
period for:
A) Personal preparation of an
educational presentation pertaining to funeral directing and/or embalming that
is orally delivered before recognized funeral directing and embalming
organizations;
B) Writing and
publishing articles regarding funeral directing or embalming in nationally
recognized funeral directing and embalming journals; or
C) Writing a chapter in a book pertaining to
funeral directing or embalming.
3) A licensee who serves as an instructor,
speaker or discussion leader of an approved CE course will be allowed CE course
credit for actual presentation time, plus actual preparation time of up to 2
hours for each hour of presentation. Preparation time shall not be allowed for
repetitious presentations of the same course and will only be allowed for
additional study or research. In no case shall credit for actual time of
presentation and preparation be given for more than 6 CE hours for funeral
directors or 12 CE hours for funeral directors and embalmers during any
prerenewal period.
4) A maximum of
24 CE hours shall be accepted for CE courses completed at an accredited college
or university. One semester hour shall equal 8 CE hours. One quarter hour shall
equal 6 CE hours.
5) A CE hour
means a minimum of 50 minutes of actual attendance at, and completion of, an
approved CE course. One-half CE credits (equal to 25 minutes) are permitted
after the first credit has been earned.
6) A CE course shall not be presented during
a dinner or social function. The dinner or social function must be concluded
before the CE course commences or be held after the CE course is completed. If
the CE course is held after the dinner or social function commences, no alcohol
may be served.
7) All CE hours may
be earned by online methods through an approved sponsor (see Section
1250.230)
through a CE format (see Section 1250.220(c)).
c) CE Format
1) Interactive CE
A) Interactive CE means classroom courses or
CE that uses interactive learning methodologies that simulate the classroom
learning process by employing computer software, other technology or
administrative systems that provide significant, ongoing, interactive feedback
to the learner regarding his or her learning process.
B) A minimum of 12 CE hours per renewal
period shall be interactive.
2) Non-Interactive CE
Non-interactive CE does not employ interactive features.
Examples include videos, books and audiotapes.
d) Certification of Compliance with
Continuing Education Requirements
1) Each
licensee shall certify, on the renewal application, full compliance with the CE
requirements set forth in this Section.
2) The Division may require additional
evidence of compliance in the context of the Division's random audit.
e) Continuing Education Earned in
Other Jurisdictions
If a licensee has earned CE hours in another jurisdiction not
given by an approved CE sponsor for which the licensee will be claiming credit
toward full compliance in Illinois, the licensee shall submit an individual
program approval request form, along with a $25 processing fee, prior to
participation in the CE course or within 90 days prior to expiration of the
license. The Division shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the
program using the criteria set forth in Section
1250.230(c).
f) Exemptions
1) Licensees who properly received the
40-year exemption by January 1, 2016, as set forth in Section 5-15 of the Code,
are exempt from CE requirements.
2)
A licensee may request an exemption from the CE requirements if:
A) The licensee is on full-time active duty
in the military service of the United States, or is a licensee who is called to
temporary active duty in the military service or state militia for a period of
time exceeding 120 consecutive days during the prerenewal period, when that
activity restricts participation in CE; or
B) The licensee demonstrates to the
satisfaction of the Division that meeting these requirements would constitute
undue hardship by reason of disability, illness or other clearly mitigating
circumstances. The supporting documentation shall include a sworn statement by
the licensee, a statement from a physician, or medical records that show the
disability, illness or circumstance prevented the licensee's participation in
CE during a substantial part of the prerenewal period. If good cause has been
shown, the Division shall waive disciplinary action and extend the time within
which the licensee shall comply. In cases of noncompliance by reason of
advanced age or serious health conditions lasting a substantial part of the
prerenewal period, disciplinary action shall not be waived for more than one
prerenewal period.
3) Any
licensee who, prior to the expiration date of the license, submits a request
for exemption under this Section shall be deemed to be in good standing until
the Division's decision on the request has been made.
4) Any licensee who submits a request for
exemption that is denied may then request the license be placed on inactive
status. The licensee shall comply with CE requirements prior to restoration of
the license from inactive status, in accordance with Section
1250.160.