Illinois RN CE Courses (2026)
To renew your RN license in Illinois you need to satisfy the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — 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 RN renewal
| CE hours required | 20 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Board of Nursing |
20 contact hours of approved CE per two-year cycle. The first renewal after initial licensure is CE-exempt. Several mandated topics are folded into (not added on top of) the 20 hours: 1 hour sexual-harassment prevention, 1 hour implicit-bias awareness, and 1 hour on Alzheimer's/dementia for nurses with direct interaction with adults 26+. Nurses who work with children must also attest to mandated-reporter training at least every six years.
Full RN renewal guide for Illinois (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Illinois RN CE course providers
- Nurse.com CE
Large catalog of accredited nursing CE, including state-mandated topic courses.
- Elite Learning — Nursing CE
State-specific RN CE packages bundled around each state's renewal requirements.
- CEUfast
ANCC-accredited unlimited-CE subscription accepted in most states.
- Wild Iris Medical Education
Individual accredited nursing CE courses, including pharmacology and ethics.
- Western Schools
RN CE course bundles organized by state renewal rules.
Illinois RN CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my RN license in Illinois?
Illinois requires about 20 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. 20 contact hours of approved CE per two-year cycle. The first renewal after initial licensure is CE-exempt. Several mandated topics are folded into (not added on top of) the 20 hours: 1 hour sexual-harassment prevention, 1 hour implicit-bias awareness, and 1 hour on Alzheimer's/dementia for nurses with direct interaction with adults 26+. Nurses who work with children must also attest to mandated-reporter training at least every six years.
Do online RN 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 — Board of Nursing. Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Illinois RN 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 — Board of Nursing.
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Board of Nursing. Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.
Official Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Board of Nursing site →