Illinois PT and PTA license renewal and continuing education
Illinois rule 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1340.61 states: “Every physical therapist shall complete 40 hours of CE relevant to the practice of physical therapy during each prerenewal period as a condition of renewal.” Physical therapist assistants complete 20 hours.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
Source read on November 12, 2026: Section 1340.61, Continuing Education of the Illinois Administrative Code on the Illinois General Assembly site. It covers physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
Cycle
“A prerenewal period is the 24 months preceding September 30 in the year of the renewal.”
Ethics and jurisprudence
At least 3 of the 40 hours for PTs, and at least 3 of the 20 hours for PTAs, “must include content related to the ethical practice of physical therapy, including jurisprudence.”
Credit
“A CE hour equals 50 minutes.” Teaching and research or writing are each capped at 50% of the total requirement, and ABPTS clinical specialist certification earns 40 hours for the prerenewal period in which it is first awarded (paraphrased). “Credit shall not be given for courses taken in Illinois from unapproved sponsors.”
First renewal
“A renewal applicant is not required to comply with CE requirements for the first renewal following the original issuance of the license.”
Records
“It is the responsibility of each renewal applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of compliance for a minimum of 5 years.” The section read does not name a carryover allowance.
What this page does not do
It covers the state physical therapy license only, and only what the official page or pages named above say. It does not list fees and does not replace the board’s own instructions. Rules change; check the board before you renew.