Nursing CE Requirements in Illinois – Everything You Should Know

Almost time to renew your license but don’t know the nursing CE requirements in Illinois?

Don’t worry! In this guide, you will find out everything you need to know before renewing your nursing license.

We’ll be talking about the requirements for CNAs, LPNs, RNs, and APRNs. This way, whatever license you hold, you’ll know what’s needed. 

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Illinois Nursing CE Requirements

Let’s take a look at the summary of each nursing requirement.

Now, let’s look at these requirements in more detail. 

Illinois CNA Continuing Education Requirements

Good news! 

If you’re a Certified Nurse Assistant or CNA, you don’t have to take any continuing education to renew your license. 

However, you do have to work a minimum of 8 hours with pay. This has to be within the 2-year renewal period before the employer competency evaluation.

Illinois LPN Continuing Education Requirements

As for LPNs, they are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education. 

Now, you can study any nursing CE courses that are approved by the Illinois State Board of Nursing. But 1 hour must be on sexual harassment prevention training course. 

New CE requirements were also put into effect just this year (2023). LPNs who provide health care services to adults 26 years of age and older are now required to have a 1 hour course on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of Alzheimer’s disease, along with other dementia types.

The implicit bias training will also be implemented this year.

These courses are included in the 20-hour requirement.

Illinois RN Continuing Education Requirements

Just like LPNs, RNs are also required to complete 20 CE hours, with 1 hour on sexual harassment prevention training course. 

By 2024, however, RNs will also have to complete an implicit bias training and those who provide health care services to adults 26 years of age and older will have to complete a 1 hour course on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of Alzheimer’s disease, along with other dementia types.

Illinois APRN Continuing Education Requirements 

If you hold an APRN license, then you need to complete 80 CE hours to renew it. 

Here is a breakdown of the 80 CE hours: 

• A minimum of 50 CE hours, should include:
  • 1 contact hour of sexual harassment prevention
  • 20 contact hours on pharmacotherapeutics (including 10 contact hours for opioid prescribing and substance abuse education)

• A maximum of 30 hours of credit, can be:
  • Presentations in the clinical specialty 
  • Quality improvement projects
  • Research projects
  • Publications
  • Preceptor hours
  • Evidence-based practice

Starting 2024, APRNs will also need to complete the implicit bias training. Those who provide health care services to adults 26 years of age and older will have to complete a 1 hour course on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of Alzheimer’s disease, along with other dementia types.

FAQs

If my employer provides sexual harassment prevention training, will it be credited?

In order for the sexual harassment prevention training to be credited:

• It must be 1 contact hour
• Course should be provided by an approved nursing CE provider in Illinois
• Your employer should provide a certificate that meets IDFPR standards
• The course should include mandatory components as prescribed by the IDFRR

You can also contact your hospital educator to double-check if the course meets the nursing CE requirements in Illinois. 

I have a nursing license in Illinois but I’m practicing in another state, do I need to comply with Illinois’ requirements?

Nurses that are licensed in Illinois and reside or practice in another state will need to comply with Illinois continuing educational requirements.

Can completion of a skills certification course be used for APRN license renewal in Illinois?

APRNs can earn up to 5 CE hours of skills certification courses from an approved institution or organization.  

A maximum of 2 contact hours in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or other recognized organizations are accepted. 

A maximum of 3 contact hours for certification and recertification of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or other equivalent courses.

When should I complete the nursing continuing education in Illinois?

All continuing education should be completed within 24 months preceding the expiration date of the license.

When are the license expiration and renewal in Illinois?

For Registered Nurse (RN) License holders:

RN licenses in Illinois expires on May 31 of every even-numbered years. 

All newly issued licenses will expire on September 30, in odd-numbered years.

Renewals are every June 30th of an even-numbered year.

For Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License holders:

LPN licenses in Illinois expire on January 31, in odd-numbered years.

Renewals are every June 30th of an odd-numbered year.

For Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) License holders:

APRN licenses in Illinois expire on May 31, in even-numbered years.

Renewals are every June 30th of an even-numbered year.

Conclusion

As long as you are aware of the nursing continuing education requirements, renewing your license in Illinois will be smooth and simple. 

Don’t forget to make sure that the courses or activities you take are from an approved continuing education provider or organization. 

There you have it. Hopefully, our simple guide will help you in the process of renewing your nursing license in Illinois!

Last updated: March 28, 2023 (Requirements taken from Illinois BON website)