Illinois Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 20 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
Illinois requires registered nurses to complete 20 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle, which runs from June 1 to May 31 of even-numbered years. Unlike many states that use birth-month-based cycles, Illinois has a fixed renewal schedule for all RNs.
Several mandatory topics are embedded within the 20-hour total (not in addition to it): 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training, 1 hour of implicit bias awareness, and 1 hour of cultural competency (new as of January 2025). Nurses who provide care to adults age 26 and older must also complete 1 hour of Alzheimer's disease and dementia training. Those who work with children are required to complete mandated reporter training at least every 6 years.
Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so nurses practicing in Illinois must hold an active Illinois license regardless of any compact privileges from other states.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Harassment Prevention Training | 1 | Every renewal | Counts toward the 20-hour total. Required since January 1, 2020. |
| Implicit Bias Awareness Training | 1 | Every renewal | Counts toward the 20-hour total. Required for renewals after January 1, 2023. |
| Cultural Competency | 1 | Every renewal | Counts toward the 20-hour total. New requirement effective January 1, 2025. |
| Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Training | 1 | Every renewal | Counts toward the 20-hour total. Required only if providing care to adults age 26+. |
| Mandated Reporter Training | — | Periodic | Required at least every 6 years. Only for nurses who work with children in their professional capacities. |
Exemptions
- Conditional Alzheimer'S Exemption — Alzheimer's/Dementia training only required if providing care to adults age 26+.Must complete if practice involves adults age 26+.
- Conditional Mandated Reporter Exemption — Mandated Reporter training only required for nurses who work with children.Must complete if practice involves children.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Illinois CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Illinois that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — No carry-over provisions specified in Illinois CE requirements. Hours must be completed within the two-year renewal period.
- All mandatory topic hours count toward the 20-hour total (not in addition to).
- Illinois has a fixed renewal cycle (June 1 - May 31) rather than individual renewal dates based on birth month.
- The CE requirements for implicit bias, sexual harassment, and cultural competency may count towards the 20 CE hours already required.
- Illinois is NOT a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as of 2026.
- If an applicant misses the renewal window, they must reinstate their license by requesting a Reinstatement application from IDFPR.
- Please allow 2-4 business days for license to post after renewal.
Provider Requirements
CE must be from IDFPR-approved sponsors. Illinois has a CE Sponsor approval process. ANCC-accredited providers are accepted. Providers must apply for approval through IDFPR (CE Sponsor Application).
Tips for Illinois RNs
- All mandatory topic hours count toward your 20-hour total — not on top of it. Plan your CE mix so mandatory courses cover at least 3-4 hours, leaving 16-17 hours for electives.
- Mark May 31 of even-numbered years on your calendar. Missing the renewal window requires a formal reinstatement application through IDFPR.
- Cultural competency became mandatory in January 2025 — make sure your CE plan includes this newer requirement.
- If you work with children, mandated reporter training is required every 6 years on a separate cycle from your biennial CE. Track both deadlines independently.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)'s official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Mar 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.