CME For the First-Time Illinois License Renewal Applicants and Reinstatement Applicants

First-time Illinois renewal applicants are exempt from most, but not all, CME requirements. The exemption applies whether the licensee was initially licensed in Illinois or licensed by endorsement from another state. Recently, the addition of specifically required courses complicated the first-time renewal rule. Chiropractic physicians renewing an Illinois license for the first time should read this entire article.

Important Note: Reinstatement of a license is not the same as a first-time renewal. However, a new rule change in 2024 addresses CME required for reinstatement. Please see the section  below on “REINSTATEMENT OF LICENSES (LAPSED LICENSES) VS. FIRST TIME RENEWALS.”

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Not Required

First-time renewal applicants are EXEMPT from the following typical requirements:

• 150 Renewal Hours (includes both formal and informal, also called Category I and II)
• Implicit Bias Awareness Course
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia Training
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for All Licensed Persons (*HOWEVER, see the section below about non-CME required education that may apply.)

The typical CME requirements listed above are not required for chiropractic physicians renewing for the first time.

Required

However, first-time renewal applicants must take this course:

• Mandated Reporter Training

Illinois law requires all mandated abuse reporters, including physicians, to complete mandated Abuse Reporter Training. Illinois law requires that all legally mandated reporters (including chiropractic physicians) complete mandated reporter training within the first three (3) months of employment or your first practice opening date. Once completed, chiropractic physicians will not be required to take the education for another six years. For a full explanation of this requirement, click here.

Other Required Non-CME-Related Education

All Illinois employees, including chiropractic physician employees, must complete the annual Sexual Harassment Prevention Training their employers provide. For a full explanation of this requirement, click here.

Reinstatement of Licenses (Lapsed Licenses) vs. First Time Renewals

Chiropractic physicians who apply to reinstate their licenses must provide proof of all 150 CME hours for reinstatement, as these applicants are in a different category than those applying for first-time renewals. “Reinstatement” has a very specific meaning under the Medical Practice Act.  A reinstatement occurs when the licensee does not renew the license during the regular renewal period and the license goes into non-renewed (lapsed) status for a period of time into the next license cycle.  When the licensee wishes to reactivate the non-renewed license, it is considered a reinstatement, and the licensee must provide proof of completing the full number and content hours of CME.  However, if this chiropractic physician then applies for renewal at the next renewal period, he or she is not required to complete an additional 150 hours of required CME to renew.  In other words, these applicants have provided proof of all required CME when they applied for reinstatement, so they are not required to complete an additional set of CME during the same license cycle. 

For more specific information about continuing education renewal requirements, click here.