Illinois Nursing CE Requirements

Everything you need to know about completing continuing education for Illinois nursing license renewal — required hours, mandatory topics, deadlines, and where to take your CEUs online.

20 hrs
RN CE hours
per 2 years
2 years
Renewal cycle
Per state board
3
Mandatory topics
every renewal
No
CE Broker reporting
Self-document

Note: APRNs require 80 contact hours, including 50 in pharmacology and 20 in their certification specialty.

Check Your Nursing CE Compliance

Find out exactly how many continuing education hours you need to renew your license — including any state-mandated topics like opioids, domestic violence, or implicit bias.

Showing CE requirements for Illinois.

Mandatory CE Topics in Illinois

In addition to the total contact-hour requirement, Illinois requires every renewing nurse to complete coursework on these specific topics. Most ANCC-accredited bundles cover them as part of a state-specific package.

Sexual harassment prevention

1 hour · every cycle

Implicit bias awareness

1 hour · every cycle

Cultural competency

1 hour · every cycle

Alzheimer's disease and dementia

1 hour · one-time requirement

Then once every 6 years; required only for nurses with direct patient interaction with adults 26+.

When Is My Illinois Renewal Deadline?

Illinois renewal deadlines follow this pattern: May 31. Use the calculator above to estimate your specific deadline based on your last renewal date. The state board issues a courtesy renewal notice, but the legal responsibility for renewing on time is yours.

Practicing nursing on an expired license is a violation of state law. If your renewal lapses, contact the Illinois Board of Nursing immediately to learn about late-renewal or reinstatement options.

Take Your Illinois CEUs at CE Ready

CE Ready is an ANCC-accredited continuing education provider (Provider P0986) with course bundles built specifically for Illinois nurses. Their packages cover both the total contact-hour requirement and every mandatory topic listed above.

Get your Illinois CEUs at CE Ready →

MyNursingSchools may earn a commission when you enroll with CE Ready — at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Looking for the full Illinois licensure picture?

Illinois Nursing License Requirements →

CE Requirements in Other States

HawaiiNo fixed hrs · 2 yearsIdahoNo fixed hrs · 2 yearsIndianaNo fixed hrs · 2 yearsIowa36 hrs · 3 years

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CE hours do I need to renew my nursing license in Illinois?
Illinois requires 20 contact hours per 2 years renewal cycle for RNs. APRNs need 80 hours.
What are the mandatory CE topics for Illinois nurses?
Illinois requires 4 mandatory topics: Sexual harassment prevention (1 hr, each cycle); Implicit bias awareness (1 hr, each cycle); Cultural competency (1 hr, each cycle); Alzheimer's disease and dementia (1 hr, one-time).
Does Illinois use CE Broker?
No. Illinois does not use CE Broker. Keep your certificates of completion for at least 2 years in case your board audits your renewal.
When is the nursing license renewal deadline in Illinois?
Illinois licenses expire on May 31 on a 2 years renewal cycle.

Sources

  • Illinois Board of Nursing, CE rules, accessed 2026.
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), accreditation criteria, 2026.
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