SB3769 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 20677 AAS 34176 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3769

Introduced 2/5/2026, by Sen. Mattie Hunter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Medical Assistant Practice Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall issue credentials for Registered Medical Assistants (RMA-IL) and Licensed Medical Assistants (LMA-IL). Provides that an applicant for registration as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA-IL) shall be at least 18 years of age; complete not less than one academic year of approved education; pass a Department-approved examination; and meet the requirements established by rule. Provides that an applicant for licensure as a Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA-IL) shall meet all requirements for registration as a RMA-IL; complete not less than 2 academic years of approved education; pass a Department-approved licensure examination; and meet the requirements established by rule. Sets forth provisions concerning examinations; education and training programs; transition; experienced-based education credit; renewal and continuing education; and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2026.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Medical Assistant Practice Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Medical Assistants perform essential clinical and administrative functions within healthcare settings across Illinois.

(2) Medical Assistants frequently engage in tasks that directly affect patient safety and quality of care.

(3) Illinois currently lacks uniform education, competency, and licensure standards for Medical Assistants.

(4) The absence of standardized requirements creates risks to patient safety and inconsistent quality of care.

(5) Tiered credentialing tied to education and competency promotes proportional regulation and workforce development.

(6) Establishing minimum standards for education, curriculum, examination, and licensure serves the public interest.

Section 10. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing minimum education, competency, registration, and licensure standards for Medical Assistants practicing in the State of Illinois.

Section 15. Definitions.

"Academic year" means not fewer than 900 clock hours of combined instruction and supervised clinical training, or the equivalent, as determined by rule.

"Approved medical assistant education program" means a program approved by the Department that provides didactic instruction, supervised laboratory training, and supervised clinical experience.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA-IL)" means an individual licensed under this Act who has completed a minimum of 2 academic years of approved education and met licensure examination requirements.

"Registered Medical Assistant (RMA-IL)" means an individual registered under this Act who has completed a minimum of one academic year of approved education and met examination requirements.

Section 20. Credentials issued.

(a) The Department shall issue credentials for a:

(1) Registered Medical Assistant (RMA-IL); or

(2) Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA-IL).

(b) An applicant for registration as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA-IL) shall:

(1) be at least 18 years of age;

(2) complete not less than one academic year of approved education;

(3) pass the examination required by Section 25; and

(4) meet the requirements established by rule.

(c) An applicant for licensure as a Licensed Medical Assistant (LMA-IL) shall:

(1) meet all requirements for registration as a RMA-IL;

(2) complete not less than 2 academic years of approved education;

(3) pass the licensure examination required by Section 25; and

(4) meet the requirements established by rule.

(d) The Department shall establish an advancement pathway from RMA-IL to LMA-IL.

Section 25. Examinations.

(a) Applicants shall pass a Department-approved examination appropriate to the credential sought.

(b) Examinations may include a written knowledge component and a practical or clinical competency component.

(c) The Department may approve multiple examinations and contract for administration.

(d) Examination requirements may differ between registration and licensure.

Section 30. Education and training programs.

(a) The Department shall approve medical assistant education programs.

(b) Approved programs shall include didactic instruction, supervised laboratory training, and supervised clinical externship.

(c) Program length shall be at least one academic year for RMA-IL and at least 2 academic years for LMA-IL.

(d) The Department may approve bridge or accelerated programs meeting competency standards.

Section 35. Transition provisions; experience-based education credit.

(a) All individuals seeking registration or licensure under this Act shall be required to complete education and pass the applicable examination.

(b) The Department shall establish by rule a system of education credit for prior qualified Medical Assistant experience.

(c) Applicants with at least 2 years of qualified experience may receive up to 100 clock hours of education credit per year of experience, not to exceed 500 clock hours total.

(d) The Department shall approve specialized education programs for experienced Medical Assistants to prepare for examinations and allow expedited completion of remaining education requirements.

(e) The Department shall determine experience qualifications, documentation, credit limits, and transition timelines by rule.

(f) Examination requirements shall not be waived.

Section 40. Renewal and continuing education. Credentials shall be renewed biennially and require continuing education as determined by rule.

Section 45. Rulemaking authority. The Department shall adopt rules necessary to implement and administer this Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2026.