Direct answer
Use the Nurse Practice Act and rules for profession-specific hours and complete all applicable statewide mandates.
Illinois factual snapshot for this workflow
| Reviewed item | Jurisdiction-specific detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
| Public verification | IDFPR Professional Regulation License Lookup |
| Renewal cycle | Credential-specific renewal periods administered by IDFPR |
| Renewal deadline | Renew while the profession is listed as open for renewal, generally during the months before expiration. |
| Continuing competence | Use the Nurse Practice Act and rules for profession-specific hours and complete all applicable statewide mandates. |
| Fees | Confirm the current fee inside the official renewal system. |
| Compact status | Non-compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APRN, APRN Full Practice Authority |
| Phone | 1-888-473-4858 |
| Physical location | 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786 |
For Illinois, 4 primary official source records and 8 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide. Source verification dates are shown separately from editorial release dates.
Continuing education or continuing competence rule
Use the Nurse Practice Act and rules for profession-specific hours and complete all applicable statewide mandates.
Mandatory topics, pathways and conditions
- One hour of sexual harassment prevention each renewal cycle.
- Implicit bias training for healthcare professionals with CE requirements.
- Alzheimer’s/dementia and cultural competency training when the statutory schedule and practice conditions apply.
- Mandated reporter training or attestation as applicable.
Credential-specific checks
Illinois routing note: Illinois nursing licenses are administered by the IDFPR Division of Professional Regulation. The state uses separate public License Lookup and online licensing/renewal services. Nursing license certification for another jurisdiction is routed through Nursys.
For Illinois, lPN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Illinois, rN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
For Illinois, aPRN: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
APRN Full Practice Authority: verify the exact credential record, renewal rule and any credential-specific education or practice requirements.
Illinois LPN: verify that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Illinois credentials.
Illinois RN: verify that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Illinois credentials.
Illinois APRN: verify that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Illinois credentials.
Illinois APRN Full Practice Authority: verify that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation record or the specifically named registry shows the credential, current status and any separate approval required for the role. Renewal or competence requirements may differ from other Illinois credentials.
Keep evidence for an audit
Keep records for each required course and confirm whether a mandate applies to the credential and practice setting.
- Keep certificates and provider details for the published retention period.
- Confirm course completion falls inside the correct renewal period.
- Do not assume RN and APRN requirements are identical.
- Check whether the provider reports electronically or whether you must upload documentation.
Common CE problems
CE or competence is not accepted
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact Illinois rule: Use the Nurse Practice Act and rules for profession-specific hours and complete all applicable statewide mandates. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Wrong credential rule
Return to the official source and match RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, certificate or assistant requirements before purchasing additional coursework.
Course not accepted
Confirm provider approval, topic, completion date and documentation against the authority instructions. A generic completion certificate does not prove acceptance.
Fraud and privacy safety
- Begin every Illinois transaction from a reviewed authority domain (idfpr.illinois.gov) or a source-reviewed link on this guide.
- Do not give a caller payment-card details, a password or a one-time code merely because the caller claims to represent Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
- If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through 1-888-473-4858 or the secure Illinois account.
- Use IDFPR License Lookup to confirm current status rather than a private lookup page or emailed screenshot.
- Upload identity, background, education or legal documents only through a secure method explicitly named by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
- Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Illinois instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
- For Illinois, report a suspected licensing impersonation or phishing attempt to the authority and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement channel.
Frequently asked questions
How much continuing education is required in Illinois?
Use the Nurse Practice Act and rules for profession-specific hours and complete all applicable statewide mandates.
Are there mandatory topics?
One hour of sexual harassment prevention each renewal cycle. Implicit bias training for healthcare professionals with CE requirements. Alzheimer’s/dementia and cultural competency training when the statutory schedule and practice conditions apply. Mandated reporter training or attestation as applicable.
Should I keep completion records?
Keep records for each required course and confirm whether a mandate applies to the credential and practice setting.
Can CE rules differ by credential?
Yes. RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, first-renewal, assistant and certificate-specific rules can differ.
What if CE does not appear in my account?
Compare the course, provider, date, credential and documentation with the exact Illinois rule: Use the Nurse Practice Act and rules for profession-specific hours and complete all applicable statewide mandates. Retain evidence and use the authority’s upload or audit instructions.
Can I use any online course?
No. Confirm accepted providers, course categories, mandatory topics and completion dates before purchasing a course.
Is CE always required for every renewal?
Not necessarily. Some jurisdictions use practice hours, competency pathways, exemptions or credential-specific requirements. Use the exact official rule.
Where do I verify CE information?
Use the official continuing education or competence source listed in the official-resource directory.
Source-reviewed official resources
IDFPR License Lookup ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Online Renewal Instructions ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Illinois CE Requirements ↗
Statewide mandates and profession-rule reminder
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026IDFPR Nurses ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Illinois status recorded as Non-compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; passing the exam does not itself create an Illinois license.
National official source · July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Illinois source remains IDFPR Professional Regulation License Lookup.
National official source · July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside IDFPR Professional Regulation License Lookup for Illinois; follow Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · July 28, 2026Official sources reviewed
IDFPR Nurses ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
IDFPR License Lookup ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Illinois CE Requirements ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026
Online Renewal Instructions ↗
Reviewed July 27, 2026