License Renewal CME Requirements

PAs Continuing Education
50 hours required every two years.

Controlled Substances Prescribers
3 hours on safe opioid prescribing practices every two years. Schedule II controlled substances prescribers need 10 hours of pharmacology every two years.

Updates Effective January 1, 2025
Health care professionals, licensed prescribers of controlled substances, require 1 hour on safe opioid prescribing practices. All health care professionals need 1 hour in cultural competency within 3 biennial renewal periods.

DEA-Registered Practitioners (From June 27, 2023)
8 hours required on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders (one-time only).

Implicit Bias Awareness (From January 1, 2023)
Health care professionals with continuing education requirements must complete 1 hour of implicit bias awareness training per renewal period.

Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementias (From January 1, 2023)
Health care professionals serving patients 26 years and older require at least 1 hour in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer disease and other dementias every renewal period (applies to physician assistants renewing in 2024).

Sexual Harassment Prevention (From January 1, 2020)
All licensees must complete 1 hour of continuing education specific to sexual harassment prevention every renewal.

Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect (From January 1, 2021)
Mandated reporters, including physician assistants, must complete training on child abuse and neglect within 3 months of engagement and at least every 6 years thereafter. The training counts toward required continuing education and is provided by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).