RESOURCES

Licensing & Renewals

  • BASE REQUIREMENTS

    50 CME hours every 2 years (renewal cycle).

    • If you have Schedule II authority: 10 hours of pharmacology every 2 years (counts toward the 50).

    PRESCRIBERS

    • If you hold an IL controlled substances registration and prescribe: ≥1 hour safe opioid prescribing each 2-year pre-renewal period for renewals on/after 1/1/2025 (previously 3 hours). *Source: Illinois General Assembly

    • DEA: one-time 8-hour SUD/opioid-use-disorder training for DEA initial/renewal registrations starting June 27, 2023.

    ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (count toward the 50)

    • 1 hour implicit bias each renewal.

    • 1 hour sexual harassment prevention each renewal.

    REQUIRED EVERY SIX YEARS (Three Renewal Cycles)

    • 1 hour Alzheimer’s/dementia if you provide care to patients age 26+ (requirement began for PAs renewing in 2024).

    • 1 hour cultural competency for renewals on/after 1/1/2025.

    • DCFS mandated reporter training within 3 months of assuming the role, then at least every 6 years if you work with children. (Access the Training)

  • Many Illinois PAs have noticed that some of the documentation on the IDFPR website references slightly different requirements than those here. The requirements listed here are correct as of January 2026.

    The Illinois Academy of PAs has been in communication with IDFPR to correct discrepancies based on the more current statute and has recommended that they issue a more current frequently asked questions document.

    For now, you can download our complete license renewal guide at the link to your left, which has full citations to all of the current law and statutes governing PA license renewal.

  • If you hold a controlled substance license, IDFPR’s guidance says:

    • At least 5 hours of pharmacology CME each year, verified at the time of renewal. (Source)

      • In practice, over a 2-year PA renewal cycle, many people meet this requirement at ~10 hours total, but the guidance is written as an annual requirement. (Source)

    • If you’re applying for (or adding) Schedule II authority, IDFPR also requires evidence of ≥45 graduate contact hours in pharmacology from an ARC-PA–accredited program (or successor), as part of the Schedule II delegation process.  This is usually verified by submission of your transcripts at the time of your initial licensing and delegation of prescriptive authority.

      If this is your first delegation of prescriptive authority, you'll need this. (Source)

    Special Note: Opioid Education

    Illinois statute 720 ILCS 570/315.5 was amended to require 1 hour of continuing education on safe opioid prescribing practices during each pre-renewal period for every prescriber licensed to prescribe controlled substances. It also explicitly says you can count that hour toward your professional license CME total, and that qualifying opioid education used for other licensure/accreditation can count. (Source)

    Separate from Illinois License requirements: DEA registrants have a one-time 8-hour SUD/OUD training attestation requirement (effective June 27, 2023). (Source)

  • For licensing and renewal, the only requirement is that you attest to having completed the CME. There is no mechanism to submit or to log your credit hours.

    However, all PAs should keep complete records of their CME credits in case of an audit.

    Per the Illinois statute:
    "Each licensee is responsible for maintaining records of completion of continuing education and shall be prepared to produce the records when requested by the Department." (225 ILCS 95/11.5) 

FAQs

LICENSURE

What are the currently requirements for
PA licensure in Illinois?

Applicants for PA licensure in Illinois must be NCCPA board certified PAs, and must not be licensed or permitted as a separate class of provider (e.g., physician, dentist) as defined by the Medical Practice Act of 1987.

Do Illinois PAs need a Collaborating Physician to practice?

Not necessarily. PAs may provide services in a hospital, hospital affiliate, licensed ambulatory surgical center, or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) without a written collaborative agreement, as long as they are granted clinical privileges by the medical staff office, physician committee, or consulting medical staff committee (or equivalent).

PAs providing services in all other settings must have a collaborating physician on file with the State of Illinois.

[MEMBERS ONLY] Need a written collaborative agreement?? Here’s a template based on requirements from the IL PA Practice Act.

PRESCRIBING & MEDICATIONS

Can PAs in Illinois write prescriptions?

Yes, PAs in Illinois can write prescriptions for patients and order medications in hospitals. In most settings, prescriptive authority is delegated by a collaborating physician. PAs who prescribe medications have an Illinois controlled substance license and Federal DEA license in their own name. Some PAs who only order medications in hospitals may not need a controlled substance license or DEA number.

Does my collaborating physician’s name need to appear on prescriptions that I write as a PA?

In some cases yes, but usually not.

For PAs who have their own Illinois controlled substance and Federal DEA licenses, there is no requirement to include the name of the collaborating physician on any prescription in Illinois law.

PAs who do NOT have their own prescriptive authority (e.g., if they practice in a hospital, hospital affiliate, ambulatory surgical center, or FQHC) may still prescribe controlled substances at the time of discharge, with certain limitations. These include the requirement to list the name of the Attending Physician with whom they are collaborating in the care of the patient on the prescription.

The pharmacy is telling me that they won’t fill my prescription unless they have the name/DEA/NPI/etc. of my collaborating physician. Is this correct?

For PAs that hold a valid Illinois controlled substance license and federal DEA, there is no legal requirement to provide this information on your prescription.

However, pharmacists are allowed to decline to fill prescriptions based on their professional judgement. If this happens to you, we recommend providing the requested information to the pharmacy and contacting the IAPA to report the concern.

COLLABORATION

How many PAs can collaborate with an individual physician?

Under Illinois law, the rules concerning how many physician assistants (PAs) a physician may collaborate with are as follows:

  1. General Limit: A physician may collaborate with a maximum of 7 full-time equivalent physician assistants. The term "full-time equivalent" refers to 40 hours per week per individual PA​.

  2. Exemptions: This 7 PA limit does not apply in the following settings:

    • Hospitals

    • Hospital affiliates

    • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

    • Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Centers

    In these settings, the collaborative ratio restriction is waived, allowing physicians to collaborate with more than 7 PAs if they are able to provide adequate collaboration​.

  3. Additional Flexibility: A physician may also collaborate with more than 7 PAs outside these exempt settings if the services are provided in a federal primary care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) with a HPSA score of 12 or higher, as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In such cases, appropriate documentation must be maintained and available to the Department upon request​.

  4. Adequate Collaboration Requirement: Regardless of the number, the physician must be able to provide "adequate collaboration" as defined in the written collaborative agreement, taking into account the complexity of the practice, the patient population, and the experience of each PA​.

  5. Disciplinary Risks: Entering into an "excessive number" of collaborative agreements that impair the ability to adequately collaborate may result in disciplinary action against the physician​.

Licensure Advice for a New PAs in Illinois

A comprehensive guide to help you navigate the licensure process and ensure compliance with state regulations.

1. Apply for Licensure in Illinois

After passing the PANCE, you must apply for a PA license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR):

 Here's what you need to do:

  • Create an account and complete the application form available on the IDFPR website.

  • Submit proof of your graduation from an accredited PA program.

  • Provide evidence of your PANCE exam results.

  • Pay the required application fee.

The IDFPR reviews your application, and once approved, you'll receive your license to practice as a PA in Illinois.

2. Collaborating Physician Agreement

In Illinois, PAs are required to work under a written collaborative agreement with a licensed physician. The agreement must specify the scope of your practice and the procedures you are authorized to perform. Ensure this agreement is in place before you begin practicing and that you’ve filed notice with the state of Illinois:

3. Obtain a Controlled Substance License (if applicable)

A controlled substances license is required if a collaborating physician is delegating limited prescriptive authority for controlled substances categorized as Schedule II, III, IV, or V, as defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. The collaborating physician must submit a NOTICE OF WRITTEN COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENT and a NOTICE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY FOR SCHEDULED CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES to the Department.

4. Continuing Medical Education (CME)

To maintain your PA license in Illinois, you must fulfill Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements. Ensure you stay up to date on CME opportunities and maintain proper documentation.

See above for renewal and maintenance requirements.

5. Renewal of License

PA licenses in Illinois must be renewed every two years. The renewal process typically involves:

  • Submitting a renewal application through the IDFPR portal.

  • Paying the renewal fee.

  • Providing proof of completed CME hours.

6. Stay Informed on Legal Updates

Healthcare regulations and scope-of-practice laws can evolve. Stay informed about any changes in Illinois laws affecting PAs to ensure ongoing compliance.

7. Professional Networking and Support

Consider joining professional organizations such as the Illinois Academy of Physician Associates (IAPA) or the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA). These organizations provide resources, continuing education opportunities, and advocacy for PAs.