Pharmacist License Renewal in Illinois (2026)

Pharmacist license renewal in Illinois is handled by the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy (under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR), which requires Pharmacist (RPh)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Illinois Pharmacist renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Registered Pharmacist (RPh) licenses renew on a 24-month (biennial) cycle and expire March 31 of even-numbered years. Required CE must be completed during the 24 months before the expiration date printed on the license.
CE hours required	30 hours
Renewal fee	$150.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Illinois State Board of Pharmacy (under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR)

Go to the official Illinois State Board of Pharmacy (under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy (under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR). automated research workflow (official illinois Board of Pharmacy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Pharmacists in Illinois

A Registered Pharmacist must complete 30 hours of continuing education each 24-month license cycle; no CE is required for the very first license cycle. All CE must be from providers accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Within the 30 hours, mandated topics are: 1 hour Sexual Harassment Prevention, 1 hour Implicit Bias Awareness, and 1 hour Cultural Competency (the cultural competency requirement began January 1, 2025). Pharmacists authorized to administer vaccines/immunizations must include 2 hours of ACPE-approved immunization-related CE per licensing period. CE may be earned in person or remotely (live or pre-recorded). The fact sheet does not impose a separate pharmacy-law/jurisprudence or patient-safety hour requirement on RPh (those two extra hours apply to Certified Pharmacy Technicians, not pharmacists). One-time CE waivers are available for military service, documented incapacitating illness, or undue hardship.

Need approved hours? Compare Illinois Pharmacist CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Pharmacist license in Illinois

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy (under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR) portal.
Complete the required 30 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: IDFPR does NOT use NABP CPE Monitor for tracking; at renewal licensees self-certify a YES/NO attestation that CE was completed, and proof is generally only required for restoration, random CE audit, or discipline (licensees must retain their own records). The published fee in 68 IAC 1330.20 is stated as "$75 per year"; over the 24-month biennial cycle this equals $150 (renewal_fee_usd reflects the per-cycle total). No standalone late fee is published; instead restoration of a lapsed license costs $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $450 (hence late_fee_usd is null). The State Board of Pharmacy advises; licensing/renewal is administered by IDFPR. New-application fees were increased per a January 2026 IDFPR variance, but the per-year renewal rate in rule 1330.20 was not changed in the verified source.

Pharmacist license renewal in Illinois: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Pharmacist license in Illinois?

Illinois Pharmacist licenses renew every 24 months. Registered Pharmacist (RPh) licenses renew on a 24-month (biennial) cycle and expire March 31 of even-numbered years. Required CE must be completed during the 24 months before the expiration date printed on the license.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Pharmacist license in Illinois?

Approximately 30 continuing-education hours per cycle. A Registered Pharmacist must complete 30 hours of continuing education each 24-month license cycle; no CE is required for the very first license cycle. All CE must be from providers accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Within the 30 hours, mandated topics are: 1 hour Sexual Harassment Prevention, 1 hour Implicit Bias Awareness, and 1 hour Cultural Competency (the cultural competency requirement began January 1, 2025). Pharmacists authorized to administer vaccines/immunizations must include 2 hours of ACPE-approved immunization-related CE per licensing period. CE may be earned in person or remotely (live or pre-recorded). The fact sheet does not impose a separate pharmacy-law/jurisprudence or patient-safety hour requirement on RPh (those two extra hours apply to Certified Pharmacy Technicians, not pharmacists). One-time CE waivers are available for military service, documented incapacitating illness, or undue hardship. Confirm the current requirement with the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy (under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR).

Can I renew my Illinois Pharmacist license online?

Yes — Illinois offers online renewal through the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy (under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Illinois Pharmacist license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy (under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Pharmacist (RPh) renewal