Continuing Education Requirements
What this domain tests
Continuing education tests the renewal cycle, required hours, ethics content, approved providers, and recordkeeping. Illinois psychologists renew every two years and must document CE to IDFPR.
Core rules
- 24 hours per renewal cycle. A licensed clinical psychologist must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years.
- Ethics. At least 3 of the 24 hours must be in ethics or professional conduct.
- Approved providers. CE must be from providers approved by IDFPR or recognized by the Rules, such as APA-approved sponsors. Non-approved courses do not count.
- Renewal date. Licenses expire on September 30 of odd-numbered years; CE must be completed before renewal.
- Documentation. Retain certificates for the period the Rules require-commonly five years-and attest to completion on the renewal application.
Worked example
A psychologist completes 24 hours in workshops, but only 2 hours are ethics. At renewal, IDFPR audits her. She is 1 ethics hour short, so the renewal is incomplete. She must obtain an additional approved ethics hour; the extra general hours do not substitute.
Traps
- Counting a course that is not from an approved provider.
- Assuming carryover hours from the previous cycle are allowed.
- Missing the ethics minimum even though total hours are met.
- Failing to keep certificates for audit.