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Illinois Physician & PA CME Requirements

Overview

Illinois has one of the most demanding CME requirements in the country, requiring 150 hours every 3 years for physicians. The state balances structured formal education with flexible informal learning options, requiring a minimum of 60 formal hours while allowing up to 90 hours of self-directed activities. PAs have a separate, less demanding requirement of 50 hours every 2 years.

Physician (MD/DO) Requirements

Illinois physicians must complete 150 CME hours per 36-month renewal cycle under Illinois Administrative Code Title 68, Part 1285.110.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 150 hours per 3-year cycle
Formal CME Minimum 60 hours
Informal CME Maximum 90 hours
Renewal cycle 36 months (pre-renewal period ends July 31)
Rollover No — hours used for one renewal cannot be reused
Audit Division may request evidence upon request

Hour Definition

  • 1 CME hour = 60 minutes
  • After the initial hour, credit in 30-minute increments is permitted

Formal CME Programs (Minimum 60 Hours)

At least 60 hours must come from structured formal programs:

Live Activities

  • Hospital-sponsored programs
  • Specialty society meetings and conferences
  • Medical college/school programs
  • Workshops, seminars, and journal clubs
  • Internet webinars (live participation)

Enduring Materials

  • Podcasts and archived webinars
  • CD-ROMs, DVDs, videocassettes
  • Printed educational materials
  • Computer-assisted instruction
  • Audiotapes and films

Other Formal Options

  • Specialty board certification/recertification programs
  • Internet point-of-care learning (structured CME using online databases)
  • Journal-based CME
  • Postgraduate clinical training (max 12.5 hours/month, up to 37.5 hours per quarter)

Informal CME Activities (Maximum 90 Hours)

Up to 90 hours may come from self-directed informal activities. Physicians must document these with dates and brief descriptions.

Acceptable Informal Activities

Activity Examples
Online learning Unstructured searching, database usage
Peer interaction Consultation with colleagues and experts
Teaching Educating healthcare professionals
Medical writing Articles, presentations, case reports
Self-assessment Knowledge evaluation activities
Preceptorship Participating in clinical teaching
Quality activities Peer review, quality assurance
Educational exhibits Preparation and presentation
Journal reading Authoritative medical literature

Approved CME Sponsors

Illinois accepts CME from multiple accrediting organizations:

For MD/DO Physicians

  • ACCME-accredited organizations
  • Illinois State Medical Society and affiliates
  • American Osteopathic Association Council on CME
  • Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society
  • Other Division-approved organizations

Sponsor Approval

Organizations seeking to become Illinois CME sponsors:

  • $2,000 non-refundable application fee
  • $2,000 renewal fee (due July 31)
  • State agencies and state colleges/universities exempt from fees

CME from Other Jurisdictions

Illinois accepts CME earned in other states if:

  • Verified as approved by the jurisdiction where completed
  • Properly documented per Illinois requirements

Physician Assistant Requirements

Illinois PAs have a separate, less demanding requirement than physicians under Title 68, Part 1350, Section 1350.116.

CME Breakdown

Requirement Details
Total CME 50 hours per 2-year cycle
Category 1 minimum 25 hours
Category 2 maximum 25 hours
Renewal cycle 2 years (expires March 1, even-numbered years)
Timeline All CE must be completed in 24 months preceding expiration

Category 1 CME Sources

Category 1 credit (minimum 25 hours) from:

  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
  • AMA/ACCME-accredited providers
  • American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
  • Accredited schools, colleges, universities
  • State agencies or associations approved by Department

Category 1 types include:

  • Regular programs from approved sponsors
  • Certification/recertification programs (AAPA pre-approved)
  • Performance Improvement (PI-CME) programs
  • Self-assessment CME programs

Category 2 CME

Remaining 25 hours can be any educational activity relating to medicine, patient care, or the PA role not designated for Category 1.

Out-of-State CME

  • May be applied with individual program approval
  • Request approval prior to participation or within 90 days of expiration
  • $25 approval fee
  • Late approval: $50 per hour additional fee (max $300)

Documentation

  • Sponsors must provide certificate of attendance with all required details
  • Sponsors maintain attendance records for minimum 5 years
  • Renewal applicants must certify full compliance
  • Board may request additional evidence during random audit

First Renewal Exemption

PAs are not required to comply with CE requirements for their first Illinois license renewal.

Waivers (Good Cause)

Available for:

  • Full-time Armed Forces service
  • Incapacitating illness (documented by licensed provider)
  • Physical inability to access approved programs
  • Other similar extenuating circumstances

Requires: Affidavit and written request prior to renewal date.

Collaboration Requirements

  • PAs must practice under collaboration agreement with collaborating physician
  • Maximum 7 full-time equivalent PAs per collaborating physician
  • Exception: Health professional shortage areas (HPSA score ≥ 12)

License Restoration

Lapse Period Requirement
≤ 3 years Pay lapsed fees + proof of CE compliance
> 3 years New application + proof of CE + evidence of active practice, military service, or current NCCPA certification

Key Differences: MD vs PA

Aspect Physicians (MD/DO) Physician Assistants
Total hours 150 hours 50 hours
Cycle 3 years 2 years
Annual rate 50 hrs/year 25 hrs/year
Category 1 minimum 60 hours 25 hours
Renewal deadline July 31 March 1 (even years)
Governing statute 225 ILCS 60 225 ILCS 95

Illinois PAs have a significantly lower annual requirement (25 hrs/year vs 50 hrs/year for physicians).

Documentation Requirements

Record Keeping

Requirement Details
Retention period 5 years minimum
Submission Certify compliance on renewal application
Audit Board may request evidence at any time
Responsibility Physicians must maintain own records

CME Sponsors

Approved sponsors must maintain attendance records for 5 years.

Exemptions

Exemption Details
First Illinois renewal Exempt from CME requirements
License reinstated during pre-renewal Exempt for that renewal cycle
Out-of-state residents Must still comply if practicing in Illinois

AMA Physician Recognition Award

Physicians who earn the AMA PRA during their pre-renewal period can use it as documentation of 150-hour compliance.

Hardship Waivers

Waivers available for extreme hardship situations:

Hardship Type Documentation Required
Military service Proof of full-time armed forces service
Incapacitating illness Physician statement
Prolonged hospitalization Medical records
Family illness Documentation of circumstances
Other extenuating circumstances Case-by-case evaluation

Important: Waiver requests must be submitted before license expiration date.

DO (Osteopathic) Physicians

Illinois requirements for DO physicians are identical to MD requirements. Both are subject to the 150-hour triennial requirement under the same regulations. Chiropractic physicians also fall under these requirements.

Disciplinary Consequences

Non-compliance may result in:

  • Report to Medical Board
  • Disciplinary proceedings
  • License suspension or revocation

Comparison to Other States

State Hours Cycle Formal Minimum
Illinois 150 3 years 60 hours
Pennsylvania 100 2 years 20 hours
Texas 48 2 years 24 hours
New York 0 N/A N/A

Illinois has the highest total requirement among major states and one of the highest formal CME minimums.

Tips for Illinois Licensees

  1. Start early — 150 hours over 3 years = 50 hours/year average
  2. Balance formal and informal — Plan for 60+ formal hours first
  3. Document informal activities — Keep dates and descriptions as you go
  4. Save records for 5 years — Illinois has the longest retention requirement
  5. Consider AMA PRA — Earning it documents full compliance
  6. First renewal is free — New licensees get one cycle without CME
  7. Request waivers before expiration — Don't wait until it's too late

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