CE Requirements for Dental Hygiene Licensure Renewal in Illinois (2024)

CE Requirements for Dental Hygiene Licensure Renewal in Illinois (2024)

Dental hygienists in Illinois must maintain their professional competency through continuing education (CE) to ensure they provide the highest quality of care. Here's a comprehensive guide to the CE requirements for dental hygiene license renewal in Illinois for 2024.

State: Illinois (IL)

License Renewal Period: 3-year cycle

• Current renewal deadline: September 30, 2024
• Next renewal cycle: October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2027

Renewal Fee: $150

Total CE Hours Required: 36 hours over the 3-year cycle

Core Requirements:

1. Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR)

   • Must maintain current certification
   • Must be hands-on training
   • Online-only CPR courses are not accepted

2. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

   • Minimum 1 hour required
   • Must be completed each renewal cycle
   • Can be counted toward the total 36 hours

3. Implicit Bias Awareness Training

   • Minimum 1 hour required
   • Must address implicit bias and diversity
   • Required for each renewal cycle

4. Child Abuse Recognition

   • Training in recognizing and reporting child abuse
   • Required as part of professional responsibility

Approved CE Formats:

• In-Person Courses: No limit on hours
• Online Courses: Up to 18 hours (50% of total requirement)
• Self-Study Programs: Up to 18 hours (50% of total requirement)
• Teaching CE Courses: Up to 18 hours (50% of total requirement)
• Publication of Professional Articles: Up to 5 hours per article

Additional Activities That Count Toward CE:

• Study Clubs: Up to 10 hours per renewal period
• Volunteer Services: Up to 5 hours for community oral health activities
• Professional Meetings: Up to 5 hours for attendance at dental-related meetings

Record Keeping Requirements:

• Maintain CE certificates for at least 5 years
• Documentation must include:
  • Course title and subject matter
  • Sponsor name and ID number
  • Date and location of the course
  • Number of CE hours awarded
  • Speaker's name and qualifications

Approved CE Providers:

• American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA)
• American Dental Association (ADA)
• Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
• Illinois State Dental Society
• Recognized dental schools and hygiene programs
• Other providers approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Audit Information:

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation conducts random audits of dental hygienists' CE compliance. If selected for an audit, you must provide documentation of all completed CE activities within 30 days.

Important Notes:

1. CE hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal cycle
2. Courses must be relevant to the practice of dental hygiene
3. Basic computer courses and practice management courses do not count toward CE requirements
4. All CE must be completed during the current renewal cycle

Exemptions:

First-time renewals are exempt from the CE requirements if licensed less than 12 months before the renewal deadline. However, CPR certification is still required.

For the most current information and specific questions about your license renewal, contact:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Division of Professional Regulation
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, Illinois 62786
Phone: 1-888-473-4858

Stay compliant with your CE requirements by tracking your hours regularly. CE Tracker App can help you manage your continuing education credits and ensure you meet all requirements for license renewal.