The Department shall adopt rules for continuing education for persons licensed under this Act that require 50 hours of continuing education per 2-year license renewal cycle. Completion of the 50 hours of continuing education shall be deemed to satisfy the continuing education requirements for renewal of a physician assistant license as required by this Act. The rules shall not be inconsistent with requirements of relevant national certifying bodies or State or national professional associations. The rules shall also address variances in part or in whole for good cause, including, but not limited to, illness or hardship. The continuing education rules shall ensure that licensees are given the opportunity to participate in programs sponsored by or through their State or national professional associations, hospitals, or other providers of continuing education. Each licensee is responsible for maintaining records of completion of continuing education and shall be prepared to produce the records when requested by the Department.