State of Illinois
Illinois.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
20
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
3
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Illinois requires registered nurses to complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in Illinois.
Illinois has approximately 190,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 12.5 million. Chicago is home to major academic medical centers including Northwestern Memorial, Rush University Medical Center, and University of Chicago Medicine. The state faces nursing shortages in rural areas, particularly in southern Illinois.
Illinois requires 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. The state does not mandate specific course topics, giving nurses flexibility to choose education relevant to their practice area. Illinois accepts CE from providers accredited by recognized national nursing organizations.
Common practice settings
Chicago Academic Centers
Northwestern, Rush, and University of Chicago hospitals offer nurses access to specialty practice and research.
Community Hospitals
Hospitals throughout Illinois serve local communities and often provide CE opportunities for staff.
Rural Critical Access
Southern and western Illinois critical access hospitals face ongoing recruitment challenges.
Renewal tips
01
Complete 20 contact hours from accredited CE providers before renewal.
02
Keep CE certificates for at least 6 years for potential audit.
03
Choose courses relevant to your current practice area.
04
Many Illinois hospitals offer free CE to nursing staff.
The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Sexual Harassment Prevention Workplace sexual harassment prevention | 1h |
Cultural Competency Required each renewal | 1h |
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Required each renewal | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Must complete 1 hour sexual harassment prevention each renewal.
- Must complete 1 hour cultural competency each renewal.
- Must complete 1 hour Alzheimer's/dementia care each renewal.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Sexual Harassment Prevention Workplace sexual harassment prevention | 1h |
Cultural Competency Required each renewal | 1h |
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Required each renewal | 1h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Must complete 1 hour sexual harassment prevention each renewal.
- Must complete 1 hour cultural competency each renewal.
- Must complete 1 hour Alzheimer's/dementia care each renewal.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
50
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Sexual Harassment Prevention Workplace sexual harassment prevention | 1h |
Cultural Competency Required each renewal | 1h |
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Required each renewal | 1h |
Opioid Prescribing For prescribers, controlled substance prescribing | 3h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE hours for APRNs.
- Prescribers need opioid CE.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
50
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Sexual Harassment Prevention Workplace sexual harassment prevention | 1h |
Opioid Prescribing For prescribers, controlled substance prescribing | 3h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE hours for APRNs.
- Prescribers need opioid CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
50
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Sexual Harassment Prevention Workplace sexual harassment prevention | 1h |
Opioid Prescribing For prescribers, controlled substance prescribing | 3h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE hours for APRNs.
- Prescribers need opioid CE.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
50
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Sexual Harassment Prevention Workplace sexual harassment prevention | 1h |
Opioid Prescribing For prescribers, controlled substance prescribing | 3h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE hours for APRNs.
- Prescribers need opioid CE.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
50
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Sexual Harassment Prevention Workplace sexual harassment prevention | 1h |
Opioid Prescribing For prescribers, controlled substance prescribing | 3h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE hours for APRNs.
- Prescribers need opioid CE.
Additional requirements
In context. Illinois requires 20 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Wisconsin has no general CE requirement, while Iowa requires more (36 hours). Illinois is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses need a separate license to practice here.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Illinois Board of Nursing.
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