Illinois LPN CE Courses (2026)
To renew your LPN license in Illinois you need to satisfy the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation / Illinois Board of Nursing's continuing education (CE) requirement — about 20 hours per 2-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What Illinois requires for LPN renewal
| CE hours required | 20 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation / Illinois Board of Nursing |
LPNs must complete 20 contact hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle (per 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300.130; beginning with the Jan 31, 2013 renewal). All CE must be completed in the 24 months preceding expiration. The first renewal after initial licensure is exempt from CE. Embedded within (not in addition to) the 20 hours are several mandated topics: 1 hour sexual harassment prevention; 1 hour implicit bias awareness; 1 hour cultural competency (required once every six years, effective Jan 1, 2025); 1 hour Alzheimer's/dementia diagnosis, treatment and care for LPNs with direct patient contact with adults 26 and older; and mandated reporter (child abuse) training every six years for those working with children. CE from another state's board may be applied toward Illinois requirements. Licensees self-retain CE records; documentation is not submitted at renewal but must be available for audit. Note: this 20-hour LPN total is the same as the Illinois RN requirement and lower than the APRN requirement (80 hours).
Full LPN renewal guide for Illinois (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Illinois LPN CE course providers
- Nurse.com CE
Accredited nursing CE for LPNs/LVNs, including state-mandated topic courses.
- Elite Learning — Nursing CE
State-specific LPN/LVN CE packages built around each state's renewal rules.
- CEUfast
ANCC-accredited unlimited-CE subscription accepted for LPNs in most states.
- Wild Iris Medical Education
Individual accredited nursing CE courses for LPNs/LVNs.
Illinois LPN CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my LPN license in Illinois?
Illinois requires about 20 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. LPNs must complete 20 contact hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle (per 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300.130; beginning with the Jan 31, 2013 renewal). All CE must be completed in the 24 months preceding expiration. The first renewal after initial licensure is exempt from CE. Embedded within (not in addition to) the 20 hours are several mandated topics: 1 hour sexual harassment prevention; 1 hour implicit bias awareness; 1 hour cultural competency (required once every six years, effective Jan 1, 2025); 1 hour Alzheimer's/dementia diagnosis, treatment and care for LPNs with direct patient contact with adults 26 and older; and mandated reporter (child abuse) training every six years for those working with children. CE from another state's board may be applied toward Illinois requirements. Licensees self-retain CE records; documentation is not submitted at renewal but must be available for audit. Note: this 20-hour LPN total is the same as the Illinois RN requirement and lower than the APRN requirement (80 hours).
Do online LPN CE courses count in Illinois?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation / Illinois Board of Nursing. Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Illinois LPN CE?
Illinois generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation / Illinois Board of Nursing.
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation / Illinois Board of Nursing. Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.