Illinois OT and OTA CEU requirements

What occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants need to renew a Illinois license, summarized from the board's own rules. Last checked October 24, 2026.

24 contact hoursfor occupational therapists

24 contact hoursfor OT assistants

Every 2 years (the 24 months before December 31 of your renewal year)CE cycle

December 31, every 2 yearslicense renewal deadline

Required topics

1 hour of ethics (ethics by state)
1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training (sexual harassment prevention by state)
1 hour of implicit bias awareness training (implicit bias by state)
1 hour of dementia recognition training, if you treat adults age 26 or older (dementia recognition by state)
Illinois has also added cultural competency training for health care licensees. Check IDFPR for the current list and hours. (cultural competency and health equity by state)

Rules to know

Hours must be relevant to occupational therapy and come from an approved sponsor, such as AOTA and its affiliates, APTA and the Illinois PT Association, or a sponsor licensed by IDFPR.
Two hours in a clinical residency or fellowship count as 1 hour, up to 24.
Keep your own proof of completion; the department can ask for it.
A contact hour is 50 minutes.

Official sources

This is a plain-language summary to help you plan. Rules change and your board has the final word, so confirm with the sources above before you renew. If you also hold NBCOT certification, NBCOT has its own renewal requirements.

In-person courses open to OTs in Illinois

74 upcoming courses in Illinois list OTs in their audience (or come from providers whose courses are open to OTs). Check each course's approval for Illinois with the provider.

October 2026

Sat–Sun, Oct 24–25, 2026 · 2 days Management of Lower Extremity Disorders- Weekend Intensive Price on provider site · 24 contact hrs · Oak Brook Evidence in Motion· Athletico Oak BrookExtremity & Ortho Details and registration
Sat–Sun, Oct 31 – Nov 1, 2026 · 2 days Pelvic Function Series Capstone $795 · Frankfort Herman & Wallace· Wholistic WellnessPelvic Health Details and registration
Sat–Sun, Oct 31 – Nov 1, 2026 · 2 days Systematic Evaluation and Treatment of the Wrist I $679 · 15.25 contact hrs · Oak Lawn IAOM-US· Advocate Christ Medical Center - Room 0629AB |Hand & Upper Extremity Details and registration

November 2026

Fri–Sun, Nov 6–8, 2026 · 3 days Dry Needling For Pelvic Pain $995 · 24 contact hrs · Des Plaines Myopain Seminars· Team Rehabilitation - Des Plaines ILDry Needling Details and registration
Sat–Sun, Nov 7–8, 2026 · 2 days Dry Needling 3 Price on provider site · 16 contact hrs · Warrenville Intricate ArtDry Needling Details and registration
Sat–Sun, Nov 7–8, 2026 · 2 days MT-O: Evidence-Based Orthopedic Diagnostic Evaluation Seminar $650 · Homer Glen Maitland-Australian PT Seminars· Homer Glen, ILExtremity & Ortho Details and registration
Nov 9–13, 2026 · 5 days Certification in Manual Lymph Drainage (Vodder Technique) $1,250 · 40 contact hrs · Chicago Academy of Lymphatic Studies· Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conf CenterMedical & Acute Care Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Nov 13–15, 2026 · 3 days VFM: Visceral Functional Mobilization Price on provider site · 20 contact hrs · Elmhurst Institute of Physical Art· ReLive Physical TherapyManual Therapy & Soft Tissue Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Nov 13–15, 2026 · 3 days Dry Needling 1: Foundations I $1,250 · 38 contact hrs · Des Plaines Myopain Seminars· Team Rehabilitation - Des Plaines ILDry Needling Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Nov 20–22, 2026 · 3 days Dry Needling 1 Price on provider site · 27 contact hrs · Naperville Intricate ArtDry Needling Details and registration

December 2026

Fri–Sun, Dec 4–6, 2026 · 3 days IDN Foundation Course $1,295 · Chicago (University Park) Integrative Dry Needling· Governors State UniversityDry Needling Details and registration
Fri–Sun, Dec 4–6, 2026 · 3 days CFS: CoreFirst Strategies for Optimum Function Price on provider site · 20–23 contact hrs · Des Plaines Institute of Physical Art· Illinois Training Center - Team RehabGeneral & Exams Details and registration

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Schedules checked October 24, 2026. Dates, prices and CEU approvals come from each provider's public schedule and can change, so confirm with the provider before you register.

Common questions

How many CE hours do occupational therapists need in Illinois?

24 contact hours, every 2 years (the 24 months before December 31 of your renewal year), including the required topics below.

How many CE hours do OTAs need in Illinois?

24 contact hours, every 2 years (the 24 months before December 31 of your renewal year), including the required topics below.

When is the Illinois OT license renewal deadline?

December 31, every 2 years.

Are any courses or topics required for OTs in Illinois?

1 hour of ethics. 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training. 1 hour of implicit bias awareness training. 1 hour of dementia recognition training, if you treat adults age 26 or older. Illinois has also added cultural competency training for health care licensees. Check IDFPR for the current list and hours.

Where can OTs take in-person courses in Illinois?

74 in-person courses open to OTs are scheduled in Illinois, in Des Plaines, Chicago, Naperville and Frankfort. They're listed below with dates, prices and registration links.