Nurses · Illinois · Continuing education
Illinois Nursing CE Requirements & License Renewal (2026)
01 In short
- RN20 hours every 2 years, including 1 h implicit bias & cultural competency, 1 h dementia & Alzheimer's care (every 6 years), 1 h cultural competency (every 6 years), 1 h sexual harassment prevention; renewal in even-numbered years.
- LPN20 hours every 2 years, including 1 h implicit bias & cultural competency, 1 h dementia & Alzheimer's care (every 6 years), 1 h cultural competency (every 6 years), 1 h sexual harassment prevention; renewal by January 31 in odd-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Illinois RN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 20hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Set date, even yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- In even-numbered years
- Accepted credit
- Courses offered or sponsored by an approved Illinois CE sponsor; CE used for another state's license also counts
- New licensees
- No CE required for the first renewal of an Illinois license (Rules Section 1300.130(a)(4)).
- Audits & records
- Certificates are not sent with an on-time renewal; they may be requested in a CE audit.
- Renew online
- online-dfpr.micropact.com ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Implicit bias & cultural competency | 1 | every renewal |
| Dementia & Alzheimer's carenurses with direct care of adults 26+ | 1 | every 6 years |
| Mandated reporter trainingnurses who work with children (DCFS training); others attest at each renewal | — | every 6 years |
| Cultural competencyrenewals from Jan 1, 2025 | 1 | every 6 years |
| Sexual harassment prevention | 1 | every renewal |
Good to know. Mandatory topics count toward the 20 hours. RN renewal falls in even years (last cycle completed in 2024 per IDFPR FAQ); exact expiry date not confirmed from a current official page.
Source: idfpr.illinois.gov · Rules for the Administration of the Nurse Practice Act, Section 1300.130 Continuing Education · checked Oct 28, 2026
Illinois LPN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 20hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Jan 31, odd yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By January 31 in odd-numbered years
- Accepted credit
- Courses offered or sponsored by an approved Illinois CE sponsor; CE used for another state's license also counts
- New licensees
- No CE required for the first renewal of an Illinois license (Rules Section 1300.130(a)(4)).
- Audits & records
- Certificates are not sent with an on-time renewal; they may be requested in a CE audit.
- Renew online
- online-dfpr.micropact.com ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Implicit bias & cultural competency | 1 | every renewal |
| Dementia & Alzheimer's carenurses with direct care of adults 26+ | 1 | every 6 years |
| Mandated reporter trainingnurses who work with children (DCFS training); others attest at each renewal | — | every 6 years |
| Cultural competencyrenewals from Jan 1, 2025 | 1 | every 6 years |
| Sexual harassment prevention | 1 | every renewal |
Good to know. Mandatory topics count toward the 20 hours. LPN cycle ran Feb 1, 2023 - Jan 31, 2025 per IDFPR FAQ.
Source: idfpr.illinois.gov · Rules for the Administration of the Nurse Practice Act, Section 1300.130 Continuing Education · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Illinois
05 Questions
How do I verify a nurse license in Illinois?
Use the license lookup of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - 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.
How many CE hours do nurses need in Illinois?
RN: 20 hours every 2 years. LPN: 20 hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurses in Illinois?
RN: Courses offered or sponsored by an approved Illinois CE sponsor; CE used for another state's license also counts. LPN: Courses offered or sponsored by an approved Illinois CE sponsor; CE used for another state's license also counts.
When is the renewal deadline for nurses in Illinois?
RN: Licenses renew in even-numbered years (2 years cycle). LPN: Licenses renew by January 31 in odd-numbered years (2 years cycle).
How do nurses report CE in Illinois?
RN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit. LPN: By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.