Section 1285.110  Continuing Medical Education (CME)

 

The Division shall promulgate rules of continuing education for persons licensed under the Act that require 150 hours of continuing education per license renewal cycle. This Part shall be consistent with requirements of relevant professional associations, specialty societies, or boards.  This Part will also address variances for illness or hardship.  In establishing this Part, the Division shall consider educational requirements for medical staffs, requirements for specialty society board certification or for continuing education requirements as a condition of membership in societies representing the 2 categories of licensee (physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and chiropractic physicians) under the Act. This Part shall assure, but not be limited to, that licensees are given the opportunity to participate in those programs sponsored by or through their professional associations or hospitals that are relevant to their practice.  Each licensee is responsible for maintaining records of completion of continuing education and shall be prepared to produce the records when requested by the Division.  (Section 20 of the Act)

 

a)         Continuing Medical Education Hours Requirements

 

1)         For the July 31, 1999 renewal, a licensee will be required to complete 50 hours of continuing medical education (CME).  The Division will accept CME taken on or after July 1, 1997.  Beginning with the July 31, 2002 renewal and every renewal thereafter, in order to renew a license, a licensee shall be required to complete 150 hours of continuing medical education per prerenewal period.

 

2)         A prerenewal period is the 36 months preceding July 31 in the year of the renewal.

 

3)         One CME hour shall equal one clock hour.  After completion of the initial CME hour, credit may be given in one-half hour increments.

 

4)         A renewal applicant shall not be required to comply with CME requirements for the first renewal of an Illinois license.

 

5)         Individuals licensed in Illinois but residing and practicing in other states shall comply with the CME requirements set forth in this Section.

 

6)         Continuing medical education credit hours used to satisfy the CME requirements of another jurisdiction may be applied to fulfill the CME requirements of the State of Illinois if the CME required by the other jurisdiction is consistent with the CME requirements set forth in this Section.

 

7)         The Division, upon recommendation of the Medical Licensing Board, will accept the American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award (AMA PRA) certificate awarded to physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches as documentation of compliance with the 150 CME hours set forth in this Part.  The hours shall be earned consistently with the prerenewal period set forth in subsection (a)(2).

 

8)         CME used to satisfy the requirements for renewal of a license may not be used to satisfy the CME requirements for another renewal period.

 

9)         The CME requirements set forth in this Section apply to both physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and chiropractic physicians licensed in Illinois.

 

b)         Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours for both physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and chiropractic physicians licensed to treat human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery in Illinois shall be earned by, but not limited to, verified attendance at (e.g., certificate of attendance or certificate of completion) or participation in a program or course (program) as follows:

 

1)         CME hours shall be earned as follows:

 

A)        A minimum of 60 hours of required CME shall be obtained in formal CME programs set forth in subsection (b)(2);

 

B)        A maximum of 90 hours of the required CME shall be obtained in informal CME programs or activities as set forth in subsection (b)(3).

 

2)         Formal CME Programs:

 

A)        Formal programs conducted or endorsed by hospitals, specialty societies, facilities or other organizations approved to offer CME credit as set forth in subsection (c).

 

B)        Formal CME programs conducted by medical, chiropractic or osteopathic colleges, schools or education programs, including the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the Council on Continuing Medical Education of the American Osteopathic Association or the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Chiropractic Education schools, either to prepare individuals for licensure pursuant to the provisions of the Act or for post-graduate training.

 

C)        CME programs required for certification or recertification by specialty boards and professional associations.

 

D)        Activities conducted by sponsors approved in accordance with this Section:

 

i)          CME utilizing materials such as CD-ROMs, printed educational materials, audiotapes, video cassettes, films, slides and computer assisted instruction that provide a clear, concise statement of the educational objectives and indicate the intended audience.  These programs shall also have a method of verifying physicians' participation;

 

ii)         Journal club activities;

 

iii)        Self-assessment activities;

 

iv)        Journal-based CME.

 

3)         Informal CME programs or activities shall consist of, but not be limited to, any of the following activities that the licensee must document, including the dates and a brief description of the activity:

 

A)        Consultation with peers and experts concerning patients;

 

B)        Use of electronic databases in patient care;

 

C)        Small group discussions;

 

D)        Teaching health professionals;

 

E)        Medical writing;

 

F)         Teleconferences;

 

G)        Preceptorships;

 

H)        Participating in formal peer review and quality assurance activities;

 

I)         Preparation of educational exhibits;

 

J)         Journal reading.

 

c)         CME Sponsors and Formal Programs

 

1)         Sponsor, as used in this Section, shall mean:

 

A)        For physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches:

 

i)          Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education and organizations accredited by ACCME as sponsors of CME;

 

ii)         Illinois State Medical Society, or its affiliates;

 

iii)        Council on Continuing Medical Education for the American Osteopathic Association and the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society or its affiliates;

 

iv)        Any other accredited school, college or university, State agency, or any other person, firm, or association that has been approved and authorized by the Division pursuant to subsection (c)(2) to coordinate and present continuing medical education courses and programs in conjunction with this Section.

 

B)        For chiropractic physicians:

 

i)          Illinois Chiropractic Society, or its affiliates;

 

ii)         Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association, or its affiliates;

 

iii)        International Chiropractic Association, or its affiliates;

 

iv)        American Chiropractic Association, or its affiliates; or

 

v)         Any other accredited school, college or university, State agency, or any other person, firm, or association that has been approved and authorized by the Division pursuant to subsection (c)(2) to coordinate and present continuing medical education courses and programs in conjunction with this Section.

 

C)        Physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or chiropractic physicians may earn CME hours from the sponsors set forth in subsections (c)(1)(A) and (B).

 

2)         An entity, not listed in subsections (c)(1)(A) and (B), seeking approval as a CME sponsor for formal programs shall submit an application, on forms supplied by the Division, along with a $2000 nonrefundable application fee. (State agencies, State colleges and State universities in Illinois shall be exempt  from  paying this fee.)  The application shall include:

 

A)        Certification:

 

i)          That all programs offered by the sponsor for CME credit shall comply with the criteria in  subsection (c)(3) and all other criteria in this Section;

 

ii)         That the sponsor shall be responsible for verifying completion of each program and provide a certificate of attendance as set forth in subsection (c)(9);

 

iii)        That, upon request by the Division, the sponsor shall submit evidence (e.g., certificate of attendance or course material) as is necessary to establish compliance with this Section.  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;

 

iv)        That each sponsor shall submit to the Division written notice of program offerings, including program offerings of subcontractors, 30 days prior to course dates.  Notice shall include the description, location, date and time of the program to be offered.

 

B)        A copy of a sample program including course materials, syllabi and a list of faculty.

 

3)         All formal programs shall:

 

A)        Contribute to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional skills and scientific knowledge of the licensee;

 

B)        Foster the enhancement of general or specialized practice and values;

 

C)        Be developed and presented by persons with education and/or experience in the subject matter of the program;

 

D)        Specify the course objectives, course content and teaching methods to be used;

 

E)        Specify the number of CME hours that may be applied to fulfilling the Illinois CME requirements for license renewal.

 

4)         Each CME formal program shall provide a mechanism for evaluation of the program and instructor by the participants.  The evaluation may be completed on-site immediately following the program presentation or an evaluation questionnaire may be distributed to participants to be completed and returned by mail.  The sponsor and the instructor, together, shall review the evaluation outcome and revise subsequent programs accordingly.

 

5)         An approved sponsor may subcontract with individuals and organizations to provide approved programs.  All advertising, promotional materials, and certificates of attendance must identify the licensed sponsor and the sponsor's license number.  The presenter of the program may also be identified, but should be identified as a presenter.  When a licensed  sponsor subcontracts with a presenter, the licensed sponsor retains all responsibility for attendance, providing certificates of attendance and ensuring the program meets all of the criteria established by the Act and this Part, including the maintenance of records.

 

6)         To maintain approval as a sponsor, each shall submit to the Division by July 31 in the year of renewal a renewal application, a $2000 fee and a list of courses and programs offered within the last 36 months.  The list shall include a brief description, location, date and time of each course given by the sponsor and by any subcontractor.

 

7)         Certification of Attendance.  It shall be the responsibility of a sponsor to provide each participant in a program with a certificate of attendance or participation.  The sponsor's certificate of attendance shall contain:

 

A)        The name, address and license number of the sponsor;

 

B)        The name and address of the participant;

 

C)        A brief statement of the subject matter;

 

D)        The number of hours attended in each program;

 

E)        The date and place of the program;

 

F)         The signature of the sponsor.

 

8)         The sponsor shall maintain attendance records for not less than 5 years.

 

9)         The sponsor shall be responsible for assuring that no renewal applicant shall receive CME credit for nonparticipation in a program.

 

10)         Upon the failure of a sponsor to comply with any of the preceding requirements of this Section, the Division, after notice to the sponsor and hearing before and recommendation by the Board (see 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1110), shall thereafter refuse to accept for CME credit attendance at or participation in any of that sponsor's CME programs until such time as the Division receives assurances of compliance with this Section.

 

11)         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the Division or Board may evaluate any sponsor of any approved CME program at any time to ensure compliance with requirements of this Section.

 

d)         Certification of Compliance with CME Requirements

 

1)         Each renewal applicant shall certify, on the renewal application, full compliance with the CME requirements set forth in subsections (a) and (b).

 

2)         The Division may require additional evidence demonstrating compliance with the CME requirements (e.g., certificate of attendance). This additional evidence shall be required in the context of the Division's random audit.  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 CME requirements, an applicant shall be notified in writing and may request an interview with the Licensing Board.  At that time the Licensing 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].

 

4)         The Division shall conduct a random audit to verify compliance with the CME requirements.

 

e)         Continuing Medical Education Earned in Other Jurisdictions

 

1)         If a licensee has earned or is seeking formal CME hours offered in another jurisdiction not given by an approved sponsor for which the licensee will be claiming credit toward full compliance in Illinois, the applicant shall submit an individual program approval request form, along with a $25 processing fee, prior to participation in the program or within 90 days prior to expiration of the license.  The Licensing Board shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the program using the criteria set forth in subsection (c)(3) of this Section.

 

2)         If a licensee fails to submit an out of state CME approval form within the required time frame, late approval may be obtained by submitting the approval request form with the $25 processing fee plus a $100 per hour of CME late fee not to exceed $500.  The Licensing Board shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the program using the criteria set forth in subsection (c)(3) of this Section.

 

f)         Restoration of Nonrenewed License.  Upon satisfactory evidence of compliance with CME requirements, the Division shall restore the license upon payment of the required fee as provided in Section 21(e)(5) of the Act.

 

g)         Waiver of CME Requirements

 

1)         Any renewal applicant seeking renewal of a license without having fully complied with these CME requirements shall file with the Division a renewal application along with the required fee set forth in Section 21(e)(4) of the Act, a statement setting forth the facts concerning non-compliance and a request for waiver of the CME requirements on the basis of these facts.  A request for waiver shall be made prior to the renewal date.  If the Division, upon the written recommendation of the Licensing Board, finds from such affidavit or any other evidence submitted that extreme hardship has been shown for granting a waiver, the Division shall waive enforcement of CME requirements for the renewal period for which the applicant has applied.

 

2)         Hardship shall be determined on an individual basis by the Board and be defined as an inability to devote sufficient hours to fulfilling the CME 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 the prerenewal period;

 

B)        A temporary incapacitating illness documented by a statement from a currently licensed physician;

 

C)        Undue hardship (prolonged hospitalization, family illness); or

 

D)        Any other similar extenuating circumstances.

 

3)         Any renewal applicant who, prior to the expiration date of the license, submits a request for a waiver, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be deemed to be in good standing until the final decision on the application is made by the Division.

 

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 18823, effective November 4, 2005)