Illinois podiatric physician licenses expire January 31 of every odd-numbered year. Renewal requires 100 hours of CE earned in the prior 24 months, except at the first renewal, and the rule applies to licensees who live and practice in other states. Up to 50 hours may be self-directed, and hours used for another state can count.
Illinois has the heaviest continuing education load of any large podiatry state, and it applies it to everyone who holds the license. A podiatrist who moved to Indiana years ago but kept an Illinois license active still owes Illinois 100 hours every two years.
When do Illinois podiatry licenses expire?
"Every license issued under the Act shall expire on January 31 of each odd numbered year" (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1360.55(a)). You may renew during the month before expiration by paying the fee and meeting the CE requirement. Two warnings in the same rule: not receiving a renewal notice is no excuse, and "practicing or offering to practice on a license that has expired shall be considered unlicensed activity." The next expiration is January 31, 2027.
IDFPR moved licensing to its CORE online system on October 30, 2024, and its podiatry page says to allow 2 to 4 business days for a renewal to post. IDFPR also renews the separate Podiatry Controlled Substance license, which belongs on the same calendar; see state controlled-substance licenses.
How many CE hours does Illinois require?
One hundred hours "relevant to the practice of podiatric medicine" for each renewal (1360.70(a)). The prerenewal period is the 24 months before January 31 of each odd-numbered year. You are not required to meet CE for your first renewal. And podiatrists "licensed in Illinois but residing and practicing in other states must comply with the CE requirements set forth in this Section."
Which activities count, and with what caps?
Hours must generally come from programs sponsored, approved or given by a CPME-approved sponsor, the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association, or another board-approved sponsor. The rule then allows, per prerenewal period:
- Up to 18 hours for CPME-approved postgraduate training (externship, residency or fellowship).
- Up to 18 hours for verified teaching at an approved podiatric medical college or as an instructor for an approved sponsor, with up to 2 hours of preparation per presentation hour.
- Up to 15 hours for papers, publications, books, presentations and exhibits, at 5 hours each, the first time only.
- Up to 50 hours of nonsupervised individual activities: self-instruction, patient care review, self-assessment, and specialty board preparation.
- Up to 10 hours of formal learning from non-approved institutions in practice-related subjects such as practice management, risk management or computerized patient records.
Do courses taken for another state count?
Yes, in two ways. "Continuing education credit hours used to satisfy the CE requirements of another jurisdiction may be applied to fulfill the CE requirements of the State of Illinois" (1360.70(c)(5)). And if you take a course in a state where you are not licensed, from a sponsor Illinois has not approved, you can submit an individual program approval request with a $20 processing fee. Requests are due 90 days before the license expires. A late request costs the $20 fee plus $50 per credit hour, up to $300 (1360.70(e)).
For a podiatrist licensed in New York and Illinois, for example, CPME-approved courses can serve both. But New York's three-year window and Illinois's two-year window rarely line up, so track the dates for each; see CE requirements by state.
How does Illinois check compliance?
You certify full compliance on the renewal application. IDFPR may require more evidence, especially in a random audit, and "it is the responsibility of each renewal applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of such compliance." Sponsors must give each participant a certificate showing the sponsor, participant, subject, hours, date and place, and keep attendance records for at least five years. If compliance looks short, IDFPR notifies you in writing and you may request an interview with the board (1360.70(d)).
What if you cannot finish the hours?
File the renewal application and fee with a statement of the facts and a request for waiver before the renewal date. If IDFPR, on the board's recommendation, finds "extreme hardship," it waives enforcement for that renewal period (1360.70(f)). A waiver is discretionary and must be requested in time.
Can someone else deal with IDFPR for you?
IDFPR says it "will not communicate with anyone on an applicant's or licensee's behalf" unless the licensee files its Limited Power of Attorney form authorizing third-party contact. The form names employers and credentialing services as examples and must be signed and notarized. It covers limited matters on the application or license. For new applicants, see Illinois endorsement and the clinical competency exam and the Illinois state page.
How can we help?
Annual Renewal & CE Tracking ($199 per license per year, see pricing) keeps your Illinois hours against the 24-month window and the caps above, flags out-of-state courses that need individual approval at least 90 days before January 31, and reminds you of the controlled substance renewal. With your signed authorization form on file, we can follow up with IDFPR on your behalf. You take the courses and certify compliance yourself.
Common questions
- Do I need 100 Illinois CE hours if I practice in another state?
- Yes. 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1360.70 says podiatric physicians licensed in Illinois but living and practicing elsewhere must meet the Illinois CE requirement. Hours used for another state can be applied.
- When is the next Illinois podiatry renewal?
- Licenses expire January 31 of each odd-numbered year, so the next deadline is January 31, 2027. You may renew during the month before expiration.
- How much CE can be self-study in Illinois?
- Up to 50 hours per two-year period may come from nonsupervised activities such as self-instruction, patient care review, self-assessment and board preparation.
- What if my out-of-state course is not from an approved sponsor?
- Submit an individual program approval request with a $20 fee at least 90 days before expiration. Late requests add $50 per credit hour, up to $300.
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