Illinois Administrative Code
Title 68 - PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
Part 1315 - ILLINOIS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE ACT
Section 1315.145 - Continuing Education
Universal Citation: 68 IL Admin Code ยง 1315.145
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, March 22, 2024
a) Continuing Education (CE) Hour Requirements
1)
Every occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant shall complete
24 contact hours of CE relevant to the practice of occupational therapy during
each prerenewal period as a condition of renewal. A prerenewal period is the 24
months preceding December 31 in the year of the renewal. 24 contact hours of CE
is equivalent to 12 units of Continued Competency Activities (CCA) (2 contact
hours = 1 unit).
2) In each renewal
period, one contact hour shall include a course in ethics.
3) A CE contact hour equals 50 minutes. After
completion of the initial CE hour, credit may be given in one-half hour
increments.
4) Courses that are
part of the curriculum of an accredited university, college or other
educational institution shall be allotted CE credit at the rate of 15 CE hours
for each semester hour or 10 CE hours for each quarter hour of school credit
awarded. There is no restriction on the amount of CE hours that can be earned
in this manner per renewal period.
5) A renewal applicant is not required to
comply with CE requirements for the first renewal following the original
issuance of the license.
6)
Individuals licensed in Illinois but residing and practicing in other states
must comply with the CE requirements set forth in this Section.
7) CE credit hours used to satisfy the CE
requirements of another state may be submitted for approval for fulfillment of
the CE requirements of the State of Illinois if they meet the requirements for
CE in Illinois.
8) Credit shall not
be given for courses taken in Illinois from unapproved sponsors.
b) Approved Continuing Education
1) All CE activities shall:
A) Be relevant to the advancement, extension
and enhancement of professional clinical skills and scientific knowledge in the
practice of occupational therapy or fulfilling the other professional roles of
an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant;
B) Provide experiences that contain
scientific integrity, relevant subject matter and course materials;
and
C) Be developed and presented
by persons with education and/or experience in the subject matter of the
program.
2) Regardless
of delivery method, all CE hours must be earned by verified attendance or
participation in a program that is offered by an approved CE sponsor who meets
the requirements set forth in subsection (d), or by other CE activities set
forth in subsection (c). This includes distance learning CE courses. Distance
learning courses include, but are not limited to, web-based courses, webinars,
moderated teleconferences or audio cassettes, CDs or videos of professional
presentations offered by approved sponsors.
c) CE may also be earned from the following activities:
1) Independent Study
A) Independent study activities include, but
are not limited to, reading books or journal articles.
B) A licensee may earn contact hours spent in
an independent study activity with a maximum of 4 contact hours per renewal
period.
C) Documentation shall
include title, author, publisher, time spent, and date of completion. A
licensee shall include a statement that describes how the activity relates to a
licensee's current or anticipated roles and responsibilities.
2) Professional Study Group
A) A licensee may earn up to 12 contact hours
per renewal period participating in a professional study group or online study
group designed to advance knowledge through active participation.
B) Documentation shall include goals and
objectives, summary of the discussion, and dates, times and results of the
study group.
3)
Mentorship/Participation as a Mentor/Mentee
A) Participation in a formalized mentorship
agreement with a mentor as defined by a signed contract between the mentor and
mentee that outlines specific goals and objectives and designates the plan of
activities that are to be met by the mentee.
B) A mentor/mentee may earn contact hours
spent in activities directly related to achievement of goals and objectives
with a maximum of 8 contact hours per renewal period.
C) Documentation shall include name of mentor
and mentee, copy of signed contract, dates, hours spent in and focus of
mentorship activities, and outcomes of mentorship agreement.
4) Fieldwork Supervision
A) A licensee, as the primary clinical
fieldwork educator for a Level I/Level II OT or OTA fieldwork student may earn
1 contact hour per week of supervision for each student supervised. A licensee
may earn a maximum of 12 contact hours for student supervision per renewal
period.
B) Documentation shall
include verification provided by the school to the fieldwork educator with the
name of student, school, and dates of fieldwork or the signature page of the
completed student evaluation form. Evaluation scores and comments should be
deleted or blocked out.
C) If
student supervision is provided by more than one OT or OTA, each OT or OTA may
claim only the hours actually spent in supervision.
5) Professional Writing
A) First time publication of a professional
or non-professional book, chapter, or article. A licensee may earn a maximum
per renewal period as follows:
i) 18 hours as
an author of a book;
ii) 12 hours
as an author of a chapter;
iii) 12
hours as an author of an article in a professional publication;
iv) 6 hours as an author of an article in a
non-professional publication;
v)
12 hours as an editor of a book.
B) Documentation shall consist of full
reference for publication including: title, author, editor, and date of
publication, or copy of acceptance letter if not yet published.
6) Presentation and Instruction
A) First time or significantly revised
presentation of an academic course or workshop, seminar, in-service, electronic
or Web-based course. Speeches made at luncheons or banquets or any other
presentation not within the guidelines of this Part are not eligible for CE
credit.
B) A licensee who serves as
an instructor, speaker or discussion leader of a CE program 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 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 12 hours during any renewal
period.
C) Documentation shall
include a copy of official program/schedule/ syllabus, including presentation
title, date, hours of presentation, and type of audience, or verification of
the presentation signed by the sponsor.
7) Research
A) Development of or participation in a
research project or development of an evidence based project.
B) A licensee may earn credit for hours spent
working on a research project or evidence based project, for a maximum of 12
hours per renewal period.
C)
Documentation includes verification from the primary investigator indicating
the name of the research project or evidence based project, dates of
participation, major hypotheses or objectives of the project, and licensee's
role in the project.
8)
Grants
A) Development of a grant
proposal.
B) A licensee may earn
credit for hours working on a grant proposal for a maximum of 12 hours per
renewal period.
C) Documentation
includes name of grant proposal, name of grant source, purpose and objectives
of the project, and verification from the grant author regarding licensee's
role in the development of the grant if not the author.
9) Professional Meetings and Activities
A) Participation in board or committee work
with agencies or organizations in professionally related community based
programs to promote and enhance the practice of occupational therapy.
B) A licensee may earn 2 contact hours per
appointment on a committee or board for one year for a maximum of 8 hours per
renewal period.
C) Documentation
includes name of committee or board, name of agency or organization, purpose of
service, and description of licensee's role. Participation must be validated by
an officer or representative of the organization or committee.
10) Volunteer Service
A) Provide volunteer services that utilize
occupational therapy skills and experiences to enhance and/or better the lives
of organizations, populations, communities or individuals.
B) A licensee may earn 2 contact hours per 5
hours of volunteer service, for a maximum of 12 hours per renewal
period.
C) Documentation includes
the name of the agency or organization, purpose of the service, and a
description of the licensee's role with dates, hours and outcomes of volunteer
service. Participation must be validated by an officer or representative of the
organization or agency.
11) Advanced Competence Recognition/Specialty
Certification
A) Advanced recognition and/or
specialty certification from a nationally recognized certifying body or
approved provider.
B) A licensee
may earn 12 contact hours for each advanced competence recognition or specialty
certification credential earned during a renewal period.
C) Documentation includes certificate of
completion or other documentation that identifies satisfactory completion of
requirements for obtaining advanced competence or specialty
certification.
D) American
Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) approved post-professional clinical
residency or fellowship. A licensee may earn 1 contact hour for every 2 hours
spent in a clinical residency or fellowship, for a maximum of 24 hours per
renewal period.
d) Continuing Education Sponsors and Programs
1) Approved sponsor, as used in this Section,
shall mean:
A) American Occupational Therapy
Association (AOTA) and its affiliates;
B) American Physical Therapy Association
(APTA) and the Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA);
C) AOTA approved sponsors;
D) American Speech and Hearing Association
(ASHA) and the Illinois Speech and Hearing Association (ISHA);
E) American Medical Association (AMA) and the
Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) and their affiliates;
F) Colleges, universities, community colleges
or institutions with occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant
education programs accredited by the American Council for Occupational Therapy
Education (ACOTE).
G) Regionally
accredited colleges and universities;
H) American Society of Hand
Therapists;
I) Licensed
hospitals;
J) State
agencies;
K) Educational
institutions that provide occupational therapy services, including, but not
limited to, public or private primary and secondary schools;
L) Any other person, firm, association,
corporation, or group that has been approved and authorized by the Division
pursuant to subsection (d)(2) upon the recommendation of the Board to
coordinate and present CE courses or programs.
2) Entities seeking a license as a CE sponsor
pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(G) shall file a sponsor application, along with
the required fee set forth in Section
1315.130.
(State agencies, State colleges and State universities in Illinois shall be
exempt from paying this fee.) The applicant shall certify to the following:
A) That all courses and programs offered by
the sponsor for CE credit will comply with the criteria in subsection (d) and
all other criteria in this Section. The applicant shall be required to submit a
sample 3 hour CE program with course materials, presenter qualifications and
course outline for review prior to being approved as a CE sponsor;
B) That the sponsor will be responsible for
verifying attendance at each course or program, and provide a certification of
attendance as set forth in subsection (d)(7); and
C) That, upon request by the Division, the
sponsor will submit evidence necessary to establish compliance with this
Section. This evidence shall be required when the Division has reason to
believe that there is not full compliance with the statute and this Part and
that this information is necessary to ensure compliance.
3) Each sponsor shall submit by December 31
of each odd numbered year a sponsor application along with the renewal fee set
forth in Section 1315.130. With the application, the sponsor shall be required
to submit to the Division a list of all courses and programs offered in the
prerenewal period, which includes a course description and location, date and
time the course was offered.
4)
Each CE program shall provide a mechanism for written evaluation of the program
and instructor by the participants. The evaluation forms shall be kept for 5
years and shall be made available to the Division upon written
request.
5) All courses and
programs shall:
A) Contribute to the
advancement, extension and enhancement of professional clinical skills and
scientific knowledge in the practice of occupational therapy;
B) Provide experiences that contain
scientific integrity, relevant subject matter and course materials;
and
C) Be developed and presented
by persons with education and/or experience in the subject matter of the
program.
6) All programs
given by approved sponsors shall be open to all licensees and not be limited to
the members of a single organization or group and shall specify the number of
CE hours that may be applied toward Illinois CE requirements for licensure
renewal.
7) Certificate of
Attendance
A) It shall be the responsibility
of the sponsor to provide each participant in a program with a certificate of
attendance signed by the sponsor. The sponsor's certificate of attendance shall
contain:
i) The name and address and license
number of the sponsor;
ii) The name
of the participant and his/her license number;
iii) A detailed statement of the subject
matter;
iv) The number of hours
actually attended in each topic;
v)
The date of the program; and
vi)
Signature of the sponsor.
B) The sponsor shall maintain these records
for not less than 5 years.
8) The sponsor shall be responsible for
assuring verified continued attendance at each program. No renewal applicant
shall receive credit for time not actually spent attending the
program.
9) Upon the failure of a
sponsor to comply with any of the foregoing requirements, the Division, after
notice to the sponsor and hearing before and recommendation by the Board
pursuant to the Administrative Hearing Rules (see 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1110),
shall thereafter refuse to accept CE credit for attendance at or participation
in any of that sponsor's CE programs until the Division receives reasonably
satisfactory assurances of compliance with this Section.
e) Continuing Education Earned in Other Jurisdictions
1) If a licensee has earned CE
hours in another jurisdiction from a nonapproved sponsor for which he/she will
be claiming credit toward full compliance in Illinois, that applicant shall
submit an application along with a $20 processing fee prior to taking the
program or 90 days prior to the expiration date of the license. The Board shall
review and recommend approval or disapproval of this program using the criteria
set forth in this Section.
2) If a
licensee fails to submit an out-of-state CE approval form within the required
time, late approval may be obtained by submitting the application with the $20
processing fee plus a $10 per hour late fee not to exceed $150. The Board shall
review and recommend approval or disapproval of this program using the criteria
set forth in this Section.
f) Certification of Compliance with CE Requirements
1) Each renewal applicant shall
certify, on the renewal application, full compliance with CE requirements set
forth in subsection (a).
2) The
Division may require additional evidence demonstrating compliance with the CE
requirements. It is the responsibility of each renewal applicant to retain or
otherwise produce evidence of compliance.
3) When there appears to be a lack of
compliance with CE requirements, an applicant will be notified and may request
an interview with the Board, at which time the Board may recommend that steps
be taken to begin formal disciplinary proceedings as required by Section 10-65
of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act [5 ILCS
100/10-65 ].
g) Waiver of CE Requirements
1) Any renewal applicant seeking renewal of
his/her license without having fully complied with these CE requirements shall
file with the Division a renewal application, the renewal fee set forth in
Section 1315.130, a statement setting forth the facts concerning the
non-compliance, and a request for waiver of the CE requirements on the basis of
these facts. If the Division, upon the written recommendation of the Board,
finds from the affidavit or any other evidence submitted that good cause has
been shown for granting a waiver, the Division shall waive enforcement of these
requirements for the renewal period for which the applicant has
applied.
2) Good cause shall be
defined as an inability to devote sufficient hours to fulfilling the CE
requirements during the applicable prerenewal period because of:
A) Full-time service in the armed forces of
the United States of America during a substantial part of such period;
or
B) Extreme hardship, which shall
be determined on an individual basis by the Board and shall be limited to
documentation of:
i) An incapacitating
illness documented by a currently licensed physician;
ii) A physical inability to travel to the
sites of approved programs; or
iii)
Any other similar extenuating circumstances.
3) If an interview with the Board is
requested at the time the request for the waiver is filed with the Division,
the renewal applicant shall be given at least 20 days written notice of the
date, time and place of the interview by certified mail, return receipt
requested.
4) Any renewal applicant
who submits a request for waiver pursuant to subsection (g)(1) shall be deemed
to be in good standing until the Division's final decision on the application
has been made.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Illinois may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.