Section 1330.100 Continuing Education ("CE")

Section 1330.100  Continuing

Education ("CE")

a)         CE Requirements

1)         Each person who applies for renewal of a license as a

pharmacist shall complete 30 hours of CE during the 24 months preceding the

expiration date of the license, in accordance with Section 12 of the Act.

2)         A renewal applicant is not required to comply with CE

requirements for the first renewal after original licensure.

b)         Approved CE

1)         CE credit shall be based upon the completion of courses

offered by providers approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy

Education.  These courses may be completed outside the State of Illinois.

2)         Undergraduate Coursework

A)        Undergraduate coursework taken after completion of a first

professional degree in pharmacy through a recognized college or approved school

of pharmacy (in accordance with Section 1330.300) may be used to fulfill the CE

requirement if:

i)          Evidence of course completion through an official transcript

and other documentation (e.g., certificate of completion or degree) of the

university or college is submitted that indicates the number of course content

hours completed; and

ii)         These

courses are completed for college credit.

B)        CE credit will be earned for each undergraduate course

completed. One semester hour is equivalent to 15 CE hours, and one quarter hour

is equivalent to 10 CE hours.

c)         Certification of CE Requirements

1)         Each renewal applicant shall certify on the renewal

application full compliance with CE requirements set forth in subsection (a).

2)         The Division may require additional evidence demonstrating

compliance with the CE requirements.  It is the responsibility of each renewal

applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of the compliance (e.g.,

certificate of attendance or completion).  Evidence shall be required in the

context of the Division's random audit in accordance with Section 12 of the

Act

ubsection (a).

2)         The Division may require additional evidence demonstrating

compliance with the CE requirements.  It is the responsibility of each renewal

applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of the compliance (e.g.,

certificate of attendance or completion).  Evidence shall be required in the

context of the Division's random audit in accordance with Section 12 of the

Act.

d)         The same CE hours cannot be used to fulfill the CE requirement

for more than one renewal period.

e)         Waiver of CE Requirements

1)         Any renewal applicant seeking renewal of a license without

having fully complied with these CE requirements shall file with the Division a

renewal application, along with the required fee, a statement setting forth the

facts concerning noncompliance and a request for waiver of the CE requirements

on the basis of these facts.  A request for waiver shall be made prior to the

renewal date.  If the Division, upon the written recommendation of the Board,

finds from the affidavit or any other evidence submitted that good cause has

been shown for granting a waiver, the Division shall waive enforcement of the

CE requirements for the renewal period for which the applicant has applied.

2)         Good cause shall be defined as an inability to fulfill the CE

requirements during the applicable period because of:

A)        Full-time service in the armed forces of the United

States of America during the applicable period; or

B)        Extreme hardship, which shall be determined on an individual

basis by the Board and shall be limited to documentation of:

i)          An incapacitating illness, documented by a currently licensed

physician; or

ii)         Physical inability to travel to the sites of approved

programs, as documented by a currently licensed physician; or

iii)        Any other similar extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness of

family member)

be determined on an individual

basis by the Board and shall be limited to documentation of:

i)          An incapacitating illness, documented by a currently licensed

physician; or

ii)         Physical inability to travel to the sites of approved

programs, as documented by a currently licensed physician; or

iii)        Any other similar extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness of

family member).

3)         If a renewal applicant requests an interview before the Board

at the time the waiver request is submitted, the Board shall not deny the

waiver request before an interview is conducted.  The renewal applicant

requesting a waiver shall be given at least 20 days written notice of the date,

time and place of the interview by mail, or email.

4)         Any renewal applicant who submits a request for waiver

pursuant to subsection (e)(1) shall be deemed to be in good standing until the

final Division decision on the application has been made.