How many CE hours do nurses need in Illinois?

Registered Nurses (RN) in Illinois need 20 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.

What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Illinois?

Nursing licenses in Illinois must be renewed every 2 years. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees license renewals.

What is the RN renewal fee in Illinois?

The RN renewal fee in Illinois is $80. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) portal before submitting.

When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Illinois?

Illinois nursing licenses are due rn/aprn: may 31 of even-numbered years; lpn: january 31 of odd-numbered years.

Is Illinois part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

No. Illinois is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses must hold an Illinois-issued license to practice there.

Does Illinois require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?

No. Illinois does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.

What license types does Illinois regulate?

Illinois regulates the following nursing license types: RN, LPN, APRN.

How many CE hours do LPNs need in Illinois?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Illinois need 20 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $80.

What does APRN renewal require in Illinois?

APRNs in Illinois complete 80 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $80. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Illinois RN License Renewal Requirements

Name: Illinois Nursing License Renewal
Creator: RenewRN

Verified 2026-06-22

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) · Last reviewed June 22, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, Illinois RNs must complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $80.

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Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE hours (RN)	20 contact hours
Renewal fee (RN)	$80
Compact state (NLC)	No · what if I move to a compact state?
License types	RN, LPN, APRN

Illinois requires Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every 2-year renewal cycle. RN and APRN licenses expire May 31 of even-numbered years; LPN licenses expire January 31 of odd-numbered years (these are separate cycles). APRNs have a significantly higher requirement of 80 CE hours, including 50 in their specialty area and 20 in pharmacotherapeutics. Several mandatory topics are required each renewal including sexual harassment prevention, implicit bias awareness, and Alzheimer's and dementia training. Illinois is not currently a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state.

Verified against the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), last checked 2026-06-22. Found something off? Let me know.

Illinois CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full Illinois RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Illinois Nursing License

1Log in to the IDFPR online licensing portal at online-dfpr.micropact.com
2Complete all 20 required CE hours (80 for APRNs) from approved providers
3Certify completion of all mandatory topic requirements including sexual harassment and implicit bias
4Pay the renewal fee online
5Receive your renewed license confirmation via email

Visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) website for the official renewal portal.

Free PDF

Get the Illinois RN renewal checklist

A one-page, board-verified checklist: every CE requirement, mandatory topic, fee, deadline, and renewal step for Illinois. Enter your email and it downloads instantly. No account needed.

Free-CE picks every Friday + monthly digest. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

Want it tracked against your own license with reminders before each deadline? Create a free account

CE Hours by License Type

Illinois ranks #13 of 51 for RN renewal burden, one of the heaviest in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	20 / 2 yrs	$80
LPN	20 / 2 yrs	$80
APRN	80 / 2 yrs	$80

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts

APRN renewal in Illinois. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full Illinois APRN renewal guide

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
General CE	20	Required	RNLPN	Total continuing education contact hours required for biennial renewal
APRN General CE	80	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	80 total CE hours required for APRNs per biennial renewal, including 50 hours in specialty area and 20 hours in pharmacotherapeutics
Sexual Harassment Prevention	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training required every renewal (included in total)
Implicit Bias Awareness	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of implicit bias awareness training required every renewal (included in total)
Alzheimer's & Dementia	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of Alzheimer's disease and dementia training required every 6 years for nurses treating adults age 26+ (included in total)
Cultural Competency	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of cultural competency training required every 6 years (effective January 1, 2025, included in total)
Mandated Reporter Training	1	Conditional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of mandated reporter training required within 3 months of initial licensure, then every 6 years (included in total)

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Illinois CNA renewal is handled by the state nurse-aide registry, not the Board of Nursing, and follows a work-hours / in-service model rather than the CE above. Check your state nurse-aide registry for CNA requirements.

Find free Illinois CE. Verified ANCC-accredited and state-approved courses. No affiliate links, no upsells. Browse free courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: RN/APRN: May 31 of even-numbered years; LPN: January 31 of odd-numbered years
Grace Period: After expiration the license is restored through reinstatement (CE for the period June 1 of the even year through May 31 must be complete). The previously listed 90-day late-renewal window is not supported by the official sources. Confirm reinstatement requirements with IDFPR.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 5 years in case of audit by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

Important Notes

• Illinois uses the term LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) instead of LVN
• Nursing is regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
• APRNs require 80 CE hours per renewal, including 50 in their specialty and 20 in pharmacotherapeutics (with 10 hours in opioid prescribing/substance abuse)
• CE must be completed during the 2-year period preceding the license expiration date
• Multiple mandatory topic CEs (sexual harassment, implicit bias, Alzheimer's) are each 1 hour and included in the total
• Cultural competency (1 hr every 6 years) and mandated reporter training (1 hr every 6 years) are also required
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the IDFPR.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $50–$250
LPN: $50–$250

Already lapsed? The Illinois re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees in Illinois have a reduced CE requirement for initial renewal

CE Audit Information

Illinois DFPR may audit CE compliance at renewal.

Frequently asked questions about Illinois nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in Illinois?: Registered Nurses (RN) in Illinois need 20 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.
What are the mandatory CE topics in Illinois?: Mandatory CE topics in Illinois include: Sexual Harassment Prevention, Implicit Bias Awareness, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Cultural Competency.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Illinois?: Nursing licenses in Illinois must be renewed every 2 years. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in Illinois?: The RN renewal fee in Illinois is $80. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Illinois?: Illinois nursing licenses are due rn/aprn: may 31 of even-numbered years; lpn: january 31 of odd-numbered years.
Is Illinois part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: No. Illinois is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses must hold an Illinois-issued license to practice there.
Does Illinois require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. Illinois does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does Illinois regulate?: Illinois regulates the following nursing license types: RN, LPN, APRN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in Illinois?: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Illinois need 20 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $80.
What does APRN renewal require in Illinois?: APRNs in Illinois complete 80 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $80. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Sources & Board Resources

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/nursing.html

Sources

Cite or embed this page

These Illinois renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:

RenewRN, “Illinois Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (June 2026), renewrn.net/states/illinois, verified against the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

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Always confirm requirements directly with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before making decisions about your license renewal.

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More for Illinois nurses

Illinois RN License Renewal Requirements

Verified 2026-06-22

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) · 2-year renewal cycle

Verified by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) · Last reviewed June 22, 2026 · How RenewRN verifies its data

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

As of 2026, Illinois RNs must complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew. The RN renewal fee is $80.

Get an alert if Illinois changes a rule

We watch the Illinoisboard so you don't have to. One email, only when a CE or license rule actually changes. Not a newsletter, rare by nature, unsubscribe anytime.

Free. We only use your email for Illinois rule alerts, and never sell it.

Quick Facts

Renewal cycle	Every 2 years
Total CE hours (RN)	20 contact hours
Renewal fee (RN)	$80
Compact state (NLC)	No · what if I move to a compact state?
License types	RN, LPN, APRN

Verified against the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), last checked 2026-06-22. Found something off? Let me know.

Illinois CE Audit Response Guide

Response deadline, retention rules, board address, and the rejections that get nurses dinged.

Read the full Illinois RN License Renewal Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough, common mistakes, and tips for a smooth renewal

How to Renew Your Illinois Nursing License

1Log in to the IDFPR online licensing portal at online-dfpr.micropact.com
2Complete all 20 required CE hours (80 for APRNs) from approved providers
3Certify completion of all mandatory topic requirements including sexual harassment and implicit bias
4Pay the renewal fee online
5Receive your renewed license confirmation via email

Visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) website for the official renewal portal.

Free PDF

Get the Illinois RN renewal checklist

A one-page, board-verified checklist: every CE requirement, mandatory topic, fee, deadline, and renewal step for Illinois. Enter your email and it downloads instantly. No account needed.

Free-CE picks every Friday + monthly digest. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

Want it tracked against your own license with reminders before each deadline? Create a free account

CE Hours by License Type

Illinois ranks #13 of 51 for RN renewal burden, one of the heaviest in the country.See the CE Burden Index

Type	CE hours	Renewal fee
RN	20 / 2 yrs	$80
LPN	20 / 2 yrs	$80
APRN	80 / 2 yrs	$80

CE deadline calculator Check if a course counts

APRN renewal in Illinois. The board is only one clock: your national certification and any DEA registration renew on their own cycles. Full Illinois APRN renewal guide

CE Requirements

Category	Hours	Required	Types	Description
General CE	20	Required	RNLPN	Total continuing education contact hours required for biennial renewal
APRN General CE	80	Required	APRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	80 total CE hours required for APRNs per biennial renewal, including 50 hours in specialty area and 20 hours in pharmacotherapeutics
Sexual Harassment Prevention	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training required every renewal (included in total)
Implicit Bias Awareness	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of implicit bias awareness training required every renewal (included in total)
Alzheimer's & Dementia	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of Alzheimer's disease and dementia training required every 6 years for nurses treating adults age 26+ (included in total)
Cultural Competency	1	Required	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of cultural competency training required every 6 years (effective January 1, 2025, included in total)
Mandated Reporter Training	1	Conditional	RNLPNAPRNFNPCRNACNMPMHNP	1 hour of mandated reporter training required within 3 months of initial licensure, then every 6 years (included in total)

Find free Illinois CE. Verified ANCC-accredited and state-approved courses. No affiliate links, no upsells. Browse free courses

Important Deadlines

Renewal Due: RN/APRN: May 31 of even-numbered years; LPN: January 31 of odd-numbered years
Grace Period: After expiration the license is restored through reinstatement (CE for the period June 1 of the even year through May 31 must be complete). The previously listed 90-day late-renewal window is not supported by the official sources. Confirm reinstatement requirements with IDFPR.
CE Completion Window: All CE must be completed during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date
Record Retention: Keep CE certificates for at least 5 years in case of audit by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

Important Notes

• Illinois uses the term LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) instead of LVN
• Nursing is regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
• APRNs require 80 CE hours per renewal, including 50 in their specialty and 20 in pharmacotherapeutics (with 10 hours in opioid prescribing/substance abuse)
• CE must be completed during the 2-year period preceding the license expiration date
• Multiple mandatory topic CEs (sexual harassment, implicit bias, Alzheimer's) are each 1 hour and included in the total
• Cultural competency (1 hr every 6 years) and mandated reporter training (1 hr every 6 years) are also required
• This information is for guidance only. Always verify requirements with the IDFPR.

CE Providers & Renewal

Approved CE Providers

ANCCIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Renew Online

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Reinstatement Fees

RN: $50–$250
LPN: $50–$250

Already lapsed? The Illinois re-entry guide covers refresher rules, costs by lapse length, and the path back.

First-Time Licensee Exemption

First-time licensees in Illinois have a reduced CE requirement for initial renewal

CE Audit Information

Illinois DFPR may audit CE compliance at renewal.

Frequently asked questions about Illinois nursing renewal

How many CE hours do nurses need in Illinois?: Registered Nurses (RN) in Illinois need 20 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal.
What are the mandatory CE topics in Illinois?: Mandatory CE topics in Illinois include: Sexual Harassment Prevention, Implicit Bias Awareness, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Cultural Competency.
What is the renewal cycle for nursing licenses in Illinois?: Nursing licenses in Illinois must be renewed every 2 years. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees license renewals.
What is the RN renewal fee in Illinois?: The RN renewal fee in Illinois is $80. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) portal before submitting.
When are nursing licenses due for renewal in Illinois?: Illinois nursing licenses are due rn/aprn: may 31 of even-numbered years; lpn: january 31 of odd-numbered years.
Is Illinois part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?: No. Illinois is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nurses must hold an Illinois-issued license to practice there.
Does Illinois require CE Broker for tracking continuing education?: No. Illinois does not require CE Broker, though some nurses use it voluntarily to track CE across multiple states.
What license types does Illinois regulate?: Illinois regulates the following nursing license types: RN, LPN, APRN.
How many CE hours do LPNs need in Illinois?: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Illinois need 20 continuing education hours every 2 years for license renewal. The LPN renewal fee is $80.
What does APRN renewal require in Illinois?: APRNs in Illinois complete 80 CE hours every 2 years for board renewal. The APRN renewal fee is $80. Your national certification renews separately with its certifying body on its own cycle.

Sources & Board Resources

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/nursing.html

Sources

Cite or embed this page

These Illinois renewal figures are free to cite, quote, or republish with attribution and a link (CC BY 4.0). Suggested citation:

RenewRN, “Illinois Nursing License Renewal Requirements” (June 2026), renewrn.net/states/illinois, verified against the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Embed the Illinois requirements on your site

Paste this where you want the requirement summary to appear:

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Journalists & educators: for state-level detail, custom data cuts, or comment, contact support@renewrn.net.

Last verified 2026-06-22·View official source →

Always confirm requirements directly with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before making decisions about your license renewal.

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Illinois RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Illinois Nursing License

Get the Illinois RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Frequently asked questions about Illinois nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other state renewal guides

Don't miss your Illinois renewal

More for Illinois nurses

Illinois RN License Renewal Requirements

Quick Facts

How to Renew Your Illinois Nursing License

Get the Illinois RN renewal checklist

CE Hours by License Type

CE Requirements

Important Deadlines

Important Notes

CE Providers & Renewal

Late Fees & Reinstatement

Frequently asked questions about Illinois nursing renewal

Sources & Board Resources

Cite or embed this page

Other state renewal guides

Don't miss your Illinois renewal

More for Illinois nurses