Section 1500.25  Continuing Education

a)         Continuing Education Hours Requirements

1)         Each person who applies for renewal of a license as a veterinarian is required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) relevant to the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery during the prerenewal period.

2)         A prerenewal period is the 24 months preceding the expiration date of the license.

3)         A renewal applicant is not required to comply with CE requirements for the first renewal.

4)         CE credit hours used to satisfy the CE requirements of another state may be applied to fulfillment of the CE requirements of the State of Illinois if the CE required by the other state is consistent with the CE requirements set forth in this Section.

5)         CE credit hours used to satisfy this requirement may be achieved through self study courses offered by an approved provider.

6)         A licensee who serves as an instructor, speaker or discussion leader of an approved provider will be allowed CE course credit for actual presentation time, plus actual preparation time of up to 2 hours for each hour of presentation.  Time shall not be allowed for repetitious presentations of the same course. 

7)         CE course credit will be allowed for actual authorship of published articles and books, provided the subject matter of such article or book complies with this Section.  CE course credit shall be allowed for actual time spent in writing or researching.

b)         Approved CE Providers

1)         CE credit may be earned for verified attendance at or participation in any program given or approved by one of the following:

A)        An approved veterinary program, as provided in Section 1500.5(a)(2) and (a)(3);

B)        The American Veterinary Medical Association or any of its constituent organizations;

C)        The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association or any other state or provincial veterinary medical association or any of its constituent organizations;

D)        The American Animal Hospital Association;

E)        National Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB);

F)         Programs provided by, or appropriate for, veterinary specialty organizations; and

G)        United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), or any organization approved by the USDA to offer the USDA Recertification Course.

2)         Course Requirements

A)        All courses or programs shall:

i)          Be a minimum of 1 hour in duration.  An hour is defined as 50 to 60 minutes of contact time;

ii)         Contribute to the advancement, extension and enhancement of professional skills and/or scientific knowledge in the practice of veterinary medicine;

iii)        Provide experiences that contain scientific integrity, relevant subject matter and course materials;

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

v)         Specify the number of CE hours that may be applied toward Illinois CE requirements for licensure renewal.

B)        The Division may periodically review approved providers to ensure compliance.

c)         The licensees shall maintain their CE records for 4 years.

d)         Certification of Compliance with CE Requirements

1)         Each renewal applicant shall certify, on the renewal application, full compliance with the CE requirements set forth in subsection (a).

2)         The Division may require additional evidence demonstrating compliance with CE requirements.  It is the responsibility of each renewal applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of compliance.

e)         Continuing Education Earned in Other Jurisdictions

1)         If a licensee has earned or is seeking CE hours offered in another jurisdiction for a program not approved by the Division 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 Board shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the 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 frame, late approval may be obtained by submitting the approval request form with the $25 processing fee plus a $100 per hour of CE late fee not to exceed $500.  The Board shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the program using the criteria set forth in this Section.

f)         Waiver of CE Requirements

1)         Any renewal applicant seeking renewal of a license or certificate without having fully complied with these CE requirements shall file with the Division a renewal application, a statement setting forth the facts concerning noncompliance, a request for waiver of the CE requirements on the basis of such facts and, if desired, a request for an interview before the Board.  If the Division finds from the statement, or any other evidence submitted, that good cause has been shown for granting a waiver of the CE requirements, or any part thereof, the Division shall waive enforcement of CE requirements for the renewal period for which the applicant has applied.  At that time, the renewal applicant will be requested to submit the required renewal fee.

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 the prerenewal period;

B)        An incapacitating illness; or

C)        Undue hardship (e.g., prolonged hospitalization, being disabled or unable to practice veterinary medicine for a majority of the duration of the renewal cycle) as determined by the Board.  Every attempt should be made by the applicant to comply with CE through self-study.

3)         If an interview is requested at the time the request for a 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.

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 13866, effective September 7, 2012)