Podiatric physicians licensed to practice in Illinois shall, as a requirement for renewal of license, complete continuing education at the rate of at least 50 hours per year. Such hours shall be earned (1) from courses offered by sponsors validated by the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association Continuing Education Committee and approved by the Board; or (2) by continuing education activities as defined in the rules of the Department. Podiatric physicians shall, at the request of the Department, provide proof of having met the requirements of continuing education under this Section. The Department shall by rule provide an orderly process for the restoration of licenses which have not been renewed due to the licensee’s failure to meet requirements of this Section. The requirements of continuing education may be waived by the Secretary, upon recommendation by the Board, in whole or in part for such good cause, including but not limited to illness or hardship, as defined by the rules of the Department.
     The Department shall establish by rule a means for the verification of completion of the continuing education required by this Section. This verification may be accomplished through audits of records maintained by registrants; by requiring the filing of continuing education certificates with the Department; or by other means established by the Department.