January 6, 2006

Early Intervention Rule - 500 directs providers, during the three years that the full credential is valid, to receive a total of 30 hours of continuing professional year of his/her credential.

It has been reported to Provider Connections by a number of providers that, although they have the required 30 hours of continuing professional education, they cannot comply with the 5-hour minimum per year. Several explain that they were not initially aware of this requirement. This issue has been brought to the attention of the Council. The Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention has made the recommendation to the Bureau to allow individuals to renew their credentials if they have documented 30 hours of continuing professional education, even if they do not meet the 5-hour/year requirement. The Bureau agrees with this advice.

Effective immediately, enforcement of the requirement for providers renewing their credentials to obtain a minimum of 5 hours per credential year has been temporarily placed on hold while the Council reviews this and other credentialing requirements. Although the enforcement of this requirement has been temporarily placed on hold, providers should countinue to obtain 5 hours of continuing professional education per year, as it is not known if the Council’s review of this requirement will result in changes to Early Intervention rules. Providers renewing their credential must still, however, submit 30 hours of EI approved continuing professional education taken during the 3-year credential period.

Robert Derry, M.S. Ed.
Project Manager