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Renewing Applicants

Renewal of a "Full" Illinois EI Credential, applicants after March, 1 2008 must use the application below and follow the corresponding process.

EI Credential Renewal Application

AND

Submit 30 contact hours of Early Intervention specific continuing professional education concentrating in at least 2 competency areas completed during the credential period, a signed agreement to participate in Ongoing Professional Development activities, and documentation of participation in monthly ongoing professional development activities for the prior three year credential period. A credential extension of up to 3 months for "Full" Credentialed Providers may be granted due to non-compliance with the Continuing Professional Education requirements. Extension requests will be evaluated on an individual case basis due to extreme hardship and/or extenuating circumstances. Use the Extension Request Form (3-08) (pdf) to request an extension.

Effective July 1, 2007 for Renewing EI Credentials This does NOT mean background checks must be completed for renewals prior to July 1, 2007, but at the time of the provider's next credential renewal after July 1, 2007.

The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Early Intervention requires the following checks for all providers applying for or renewing an EI credential:

No Provider shall be credentialed/renewed to provide early intervention services without the clearance results from all checks being documented by Provider Connections.

Click here to see the process for Early Intervention Credential Renewal.

Using EI Videos for Continuing Education

Beginning April 1, 2006 a maximum of 5 hours of EI Video credit may be used for every 30 hours of continuing education submitted for renewal and/or core knowledge area documentation purposes. Any videos completed prior to April 1, 2006 may be used even though they may exceed the 5 hour maximum.

All continuing professional education submitted for renewal MUST be approved by the Illinois EI Training Program. If the continuing professional education was not provided by the EI Training Program and does not appear on their website listing of approved training you MUST get it approved before submitting for renewal. The approval process typically takes a minimum of 30 business days. Visit www.illinoiseitraining.org for the continuing professional education approval process.

Beginning March 1, 2008

What is the Ongoing Professional Development Plan (OPDP)?

All new/renewing credentialed providers in Illinois must agree to participate in OPDP activities by using the Ongoing Professional Development Plan Form. OPDP activities are a once a month, non-billable, meeting held either face to face or over the telephone with an individual specialist-level credentialed provider or group, of which at least one member is a specialist-level credentialed provider. A Credentialed Provider, now including providers with a temporary credential, must document a minimum of 75% of their Ongoing Professional Development Plan (OPDP) meetings completed.

These meetings are intended to be used for professional development through discussion of client/family concerns, needs, strengths, resources, priorities, outcomes, strategies, and service plans in order to support best practices.