Nurse Practitioners · Illinois · Continuing education
Illinois Nurse Practitioner CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- APRN80 hours every 2 years, including 10 h opioid prescribing & pain management, 1 h implicit bias & cultural competency, 1 h dementia & Alzheimer's care, 20 h pharmacology (NP/APRN); renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
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03 Requirements
Illinois APRN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 80hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Approved sponsors under Rule 1300.130(c) (e.g. ANCC-accredited providers, AANP, ISAPN, NPACE, AANA/NBCRNA, ACNM, CME conferences) or licensed Illinois nursing CE sponsors; min. 50 h in CE programs, max. 30 h from presentations, publications, research or precepting; recertification exam = 60 h
- Carryover
- Hours used for another jurisdiction may be applied.
- New licensees
- No CE for the first renewal of an Illinois APRN or FPA-APRN license.
- Audits & records
- Keep certificates; produce them if the Department requests.
- Renew online
- online-dfpr.micropact.com ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid prescribing & pain management | 10 | every renewal |
| Implicit bias & cultural competency | 1 | every renewal |
| Dementia & Alzheimer's careAPRNs with direct patient interaction with adults 26 and older | 1 | every renewal |
| Pharmacology (NP/APRN) | 20 | every renewal |
| Controlled substances prescribingHolders of an Illinois Controlled Substances Registration (safe opioid prescribing, to renew the registration) | 3 | every renewal |
| Mandated reporter trainingNurses who work with children | — | every 6 years |
| Sexual harassment prevention | 1 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. The 80 APRN hours also satisfy the RN license CE.
Good to know. 80 h per 2-year cycle, in the 24 months before expiry; at least 20 h pharmacotherapeutics incl. 10 h opioid prescribing or substance abuse education. Implicit bias, sexual harassment and dementia hours count within the 80. The 2024 renewal was due June 30, 2024.
Source: idfpr.illinois.gov · 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300.130 (Rules for the Administration of the Nurse Practice Act) · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How many CE hours do nurse practitioners need in Illinois?
80 hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurse practitioners in Illinois?
Approved sponsors under Rule 1300.130(c) (e.g. ANCC-accredited providers, AANP, ISAPN, NPACE, AANA/NBCRNA, ACNM, CME conferences) or licensed Illinois nursing CE sponsors; min. 50 h in CE programs, max. 30 h from presentations, publications, research or precepting; recertification exam = 60 h.
Which CE topics are mandatory for nurse practitioners in Illinois?
Opioid prescribing & pain management — 10 h (every renewal); Implicit bias & cultural competency — 1 h (every renewal); Dementia & Alzheimer's care — 1 h (every renewal); Pharmacology (NP/APRN) — 20 h (every renewal); Controlled substances prescribing — 3 h (every renewal); Mandated reporter training (every 6 years); Sexual harassment prevention — 1 h (every renewal).
How do I verify a nurse practitioner license in Illinois?
Use the license lookup of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Board of Nursing) (idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/nursing.html); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for nurse practitioners in Illinois?
Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).