Quick facts
- Board Name
- Illinois Board of Occupational Therapy
- Renewal Cycle
- Biennial, by December 31 of odd-numbered years
- CE Period
- 24 months preceding December 31 of the odd-numbered renewal year
- Rule Citation
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1315.145
- Hour Requirement
- 24 contact hours per biennium
- State-Mandated Topics
- Ethics (1 hour); Sexual Harassment Prevention (1 hour); Implicit Bias Awareness (1 hour); Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias (1 hour, if treating relevant populations)
- Records Retention
- 5 years
Governing authority and what the rule requires
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is vested with the authority to administer the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act (225 ILCS 75). The Act establishes the Board of Occupational Therapy to advise the Department. The specific rules governing continuing education are detailed in the Illinois Administrative Code, Title 68, Part 1315.
How Illinois OT CE audits typically work
After a renewal cycle the board reviews a sample of attestations. If selected, you will receive a notice through the email or address on file with a defined response window. Most audits close quietly when records match what was attested. Continuing education requirements for Illinois OTs are established in Section 1315.145 of the Illinois Administrative Code (Title 68).
- The Illinois Board of Occupational Therapy randomly selects a percentage of licensees for a CE audit each cycle.
- If selected, you will receive a notification letter from the board, typically by mail or secure email.
- The notice will specify the compliance period being audited.
- You are generally given 30 days from the date of the notice to submit copies of your CE documentation.
- Board staff reviews your submitted certificates to ensure they match the contact-hour requirement and include all mandated topics.
- You will receive a final letter from the board indicating whether you successfully met the audit requirements or if further action is needed.
Documentation commonly requested
Audit notices are usually specific about what they want. Read the notice slowly and make a checklist directly from it. The most common items requested for OTs include:
- Copies of certificates of completion for each CE activity taken during the audit period.
- Each certificate should clearly show the provider name and accreditation (AOTA Approved Provider number, NBCOT, state board approval, or other accepted accreditor), course title, date(s) of attendance, number of contact hours or PDUs awarded, and your name as it appears on your license.
- Proof of completion for any state-mandated topics required by Illinois (such as ethics or jurisprudence).
- A personal CE log or spreadsheet tracking course dates, titles, providers, hours, and topic mapping.
- Documentation of any alternative professional development activities (publications, presentations, mentoring, NBCOT certification) used to meet the requirement.
Illinois-specific mandated topics
Beyond a total hour count, Illinois requires specific subject-matter CE within the cycle. Make sure each mandated topic is covered by a certificate that names the topic explicitly.
- **Ethics (1 contact hour):** A minimum of one hour of your total CE must cover the topic of ethics.
- **Sexual Harassment Prevention (1 contact hour):** A one-hour course in sexual harassment prevention training is required each renewal period.
- **Implicit Bias Awareness (1 contact hour):** Beginning with the December 31, 2023, renewal, licensees must complete a one-hour course in implicit bias awareness.
- **Alzheimer's Disease (1 contact hour):** Beginning with the December 31, 2023, renewal, licensees who provide services to adult populations age 26 or older must complete at least one hour in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Common pitfalls OTs run into
- Failing to complete the specific mandated courses on Ethics, Sexual Harassment Prevention, and (as of 2023) Implicit Bias and Alzheimer's Disease.
- Not verifying that CE course providers are approved by the IDFPR, AOTA, or another acceptable entity as listed in the rules.
- Miscalculating the prerenewal period, which runs for the 24 months prior to the December 31 renewal date.
- Failing to retain CE certificates of completion for the required 5-year period after the renewal.
How to assemble a clean response
Gather your records in one place. A folder on your desktop, a printed binder, or a shared drive all work. You don't need a complicated system. You just need to be able to find things.
Name each PDF clearly with the date, course title, hours, and topic. Group certificates by category that maps to the board's request: mandated topics first, then general contact hours. Add a one-page cover sheet that summarizes total hours and points the reviewer to the matching documents.
If your hours fall short
First-time shortfalls are usually handled administratively. Boards generally allow a defined window to complete makeup hours and submit updated documentation. Honest, prompt communication is far better than silence.
If the shortfall is significant or repeated, the board may move toward formal action. At that point, calm documentation of how you are coming into compliance, plus a written plan to prevent recurrence, makes a meaningful difference.
Possible outcomes
- According to the OT Practice Act (225 ILCS 75/19), failure to comply with CE requirements can be grounds for disciplinary action.
- The IDFPR may refuse to renew a license, or may issue fines.
- In the event of a deficiency found during an audit, the licensee may be required to submit a plan to correct the deficiency and complete the required hours within a specified time frame.
- In the event of a deficiency found during an audit, the licensee may be required to submit a plan to correct the deficiency and complete the required hours within a specified time frame.
A simple audit-response checklist
- 1Read the audit notice slowly. Note the deadline and exact list of documents requested.
- 2Make a simple folder labeled with the cycle dates being audited.
- 3Pull certificates of completion for every CE activity in that cycle.
- 4Match each certificate to the topic area or category your board requires.
- 5Save proof of license renewal and any required attestations.
- 6If a certificate is missing, contact the provider for a duplicate before the deadline.
- 7Scan everything as clean PDFs, named with date and course title.
- 8Submit through the channel the board requests. Keep a copy and a confirmation.
Save $106 on MedBridge CEU plans
Continuing education is part of protecting your license. BoardWise has partnered with MedBridge to help occupational therapists access high-quality CEU courses at a lower cost. Use code BOARDWISE to save $106 on an individual MedBridge CEU plan.
Explore MedBridge CEU coursesMedBridge is a separate service. BoardWise may receive a referral benefit. The discount code is subject to MedBridge terms.
Run your practice more smoothly with SimplePractice
Running an independent practice means juggling scheduling, notes, billing, and telehealth. BoardWise has partnered with SimplePractice to help occupational therapists access practice management tools at partner pricing.
Explore SimplePractice partner pricingSimplePractice is a separate service. BoardWise may receive a referral benefit. Partner pricing is subject to SimplePractice terms.
Frequently asked questions
Real Outcomes Reported by BoardWise Users
BoardWise users have reported outcomes including:
- Complaint dismissals
- Successful responses to board inquiries
- Passing continuing education audits
- Early probation termination
- Improved understanding of licensing board procedures
Individual outcomes vary and depend on the facts of each case.
Optional Attorney Document Review
Before you send anything to the board, BoardWise can match occupational therapist in Illinois with an independent, state-licensed attorney for an optional limited-scope review of the document you prepared:
- We match you with an independent attorney licensed in your state
- They review and suggest revisions to your document before you submit it to the board
- Focused, limited-scope review at a fixed fee rather than a full retainer
- A second set of eyes on wording, tone, and anything that may need a closer look
What does the attorney review cost? Pricing depends on the complexity of your matter and the scope of review, but most BoardWise lawyer reviews are approximately $250–$500. You’ll see the specific fee before deciding whether to proceed.
Optional limited-scope attorney review may be available for an additional fixed fee. Attorney availability, conflicts review, eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply. If an attorney accepts the matter, the client will contract with and pay the independent attorney directly.
Print & FedEx Overnight Delivery
Finishing the document is only part of the job. BoardWise Document Delivery lets occupational therapist in Illinois send the finished packet straight to the board without a trip to the post office:
- FedEx Overnight delivery for street addresses when your deadline is close
- USPS Priority Express and USPS Certified Mail for P.O. Box board addresses
- Printing, packaging, and postage handled for you, with tracking on every order
- Confirmation and tracking details emailed to you as your package moves
What does it cost? $150 for FedEx Overnight and $99 for USPS Priority Express or Certified Mail. You see the exact price and the full address details before you authorize the order.
Printing and mailing are fulfilled by Mailform. You are responsible for meeting your own deadline, so keep an electronic copy and watch the tracking information.
What Professionals Are Saying
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BoardWise is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. This guide is educational only and reflects general practice in the United States. Your state licensing board is the official source for current requirements. If your situation involves formal discipline or a hearing, consider consulting a licensed attorney in your state.