Yednock Highlights Deadline Extensions for Professionals Licenses

OTTAWA, Ill. – State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is letting Illinois Valley professional license holders know that the any pressing deadlines to obtain or maintain certification or continuing education requirements have been extended into the fall season, in an effort to accommodate for the unprecedented global pandemic that is COVID-19.

“Many small and private businesses have been adversely affected by COVID-19 both personally and professionally,” said Yednock. “This new global threat has presented many obstacles for us all to overcome and one of those obstacles is a disruption in instruction and license renewal deadlines. Illinois needed to take moves today that would help our area professionals and educators tomorrow. The state needs to be as compassionate to our area small business owners, educators, and licensed professionals, especially during this time.”

Any professional licenses issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation that have renewal dates between March 1, 2020 through and including July 31, 2020 are granted an automatic extension to renew to September 30, 2020. Additionally, all current licensees under the Department’s jurisdiction whose license renewal deadlines fall within the period beginning March 1, 2020 through and including July 31, 2020 shall have up to, and including, September 30, 2020 to complete their continuing education coursework. The Department is also allowing licensees to complete their continuing education coursework without requiring live attendance and permit for interactive webinar and online distance education courses in addition to currently permitted methods. These and all Departmental licensees must continue to comply with all pertinent provisions of their respective licensing Acts.

“For in-person instruction that is currently ongoing, classes are now allowed to switch from in-person instruction to online learning for the remainder of their respective courses to help meet those continuing educational requirements,” said Yednock. “The safety of students, instructors, future educators and young licensed professionals must be paramount, without exception. Because of that, the state must think outside the box quickly and act. This new measure helps accomplishes just that.”

Yednock is continuing to provide updates to constituents about services and resources provided by the state to the general public and those affected under this crisis.

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