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IL

Illinois Continuing Education Requirements

Details about continuing education and license renewal in Illinois. Jump straight to your profession below.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Registered Nurse (RN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Medical Assistant (MA)

Illinois Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
CEs not required.
Must work as a CNA for a minimum of 8 consecutive hours for pay within the immediate 24 months prior to employer competency evaluation. 

Please check with your facility/employer to ensure your continuing education courses are accepted. 
Department of Public Health
Phone844-789-3676
Fax217-524-0137
WebsiteVisit Site
Address 535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield  62761
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.

Illinois Registered Nurse (RN)

20 hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Friday, July 18, 2025
RNs shall complete twenty (20) contact hours of approved continuing education every two (2) for licensure renewal.

Special Requirements

  • Implicit Bias: One (1) contact hour in implicit bias awareness training.
  • Sexual harassment prevention One (1) contact hour on the topic of sexual harassment prevention training. This CE requirement is included in the number of hours already required under the individual Acts and Rules and does not increase the number of hours required to renew a license.
  • Alzheimer’s: RNs who provide health care services to and have direct patient interaction with adults 26 years of age and older will be required to complete a one (1) hour course in diagnosis, treatment and care of Alzheimer's disease, along with other dementia types. This course may count toward the regular CE requirements.
  • Mandated Reporter: Nurses who work with children in their professional or official capacities must complete mandated reporter training at least every six (6) years. Starting January 1, 2021, if a mandated reporter receives licensure from the Department, they can use the training towards meeting their required continuing education hours. This training is provided for free from the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Illinois Nursing Workforce Center
Phone888-687-7307
WebsiteVisit Site
Address 555 West Monroe Street
Suite #500
Chicago  60661
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.

Illinois Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

20 hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Friday, July 18, 2025
LPNs shall complete twenty (20) contact hours of approved continuing education every two (2) for licensure renewal.

Special Requirements

  • Implicit Bias: One (1) contact hour in implicit bias awareness training.
  • Sexual harassment prevention One (1) contact hour on the topic of sexual harassment prevention training. This CE requirement is included in the number of hours already required under the individual Acts and Rules and does not increase the number of hours required to renew a license.
  • Alzheimer’s: LPNs who provide health care services to and have direct patient interaction with adults 26 years of age and older will be required to complete a one (1) hour course in diagnosis, treatment and care of Alzheimer's disease, along with other dementia types. This course may count toward the regular CE requirements.
  • Mandated Reporter: Nurses who work with children in their professional or official capacities must complete mandated reporter training at least every six (6) years. Starting January 1, 2021, if a mandated reporter receives licensure from the Department, they can use the training towards meeting their required continuing education hours. This training is provided for free from the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Illinois Nursing Workforce Center
Phone888-473-4858
WebsiteVisit Site
Address 555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor
Chicago  60661
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.

Illinois Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

80 hours · Every two years
Last Updated: Friday, July 18, 2025
APRNs shall earn eighty (80) contact hours of continuing education every two years for licensure renewal.

Special Requirements

The 80 hours of continuing education required shall be completed as follows: 
  • Of these eighty (80) hours, a minimum of fifty (50) hours of the continuing education shall be obtained in continuing education programs that shall include no less than twenty (20) hours of pharmacotherapeutics, including ten (10) hours of opioid prescribing or substance abuse education.
  • Of these eighty (80) hours, a maximum of thirty (30) hours of credit may be obtained by presentations in the APRN's clinical specialty, evidence-based practice, or quality improvement projects, publications, research projects, or preceptor hours.
Required CEUs:
  • Implicit Bias: One (1) contact hour in implicit bias awareness training.
  • Sexual harassment prevention One (1) contact hour on the topic of sexual harassment prevention training. This CE requirement is included in the number of hours already required under the individual Acts and Rules and does not increase the number of hours required to renew a license.
  • Alzheimer’s: APRNs who provide health care services to and have direct patient interaction with adults 26 years of age and older will be required to complete a one (1) hour course in diagnosis, treatment and care of Alzheimer's disease, along with other dementia types. This course may count toward the regular CE requirements.
  • Mandated Reporter: Nurses who work with children in their professional or official capacities must complete mandated reporter training at least every six (6) years. Starting January 1, 2021, if a mandated reporter receives licensure from the Department, they can use the training towards meeting their required continuing education hours. This training is provided for free from the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
  • Prescribers with Controlled Substances Registrations are required to complete three (3) hours of continuing education (CE) on safe opioid prescribing practices to renew their Controlled Substances Registration. This requirement can be included in the total number of hours required to renew a professional license.
Illinois Nursing Workforce Center
Phone888-473-4858
WebsiteVisit Site
Address 555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor
Chicago  60661
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.

Illinois Medical Assistant (MA)

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
CEs not required.
 Almost all medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although there are no formal education or training requirements.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Phone217-782-4977
WebsiteVisit Site
Address 525-535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield  62761
Requirements Disclaimer: Although we try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible, ultimately, it is the responsibility of each individual user to understand and keep up-to-date with the requirements of the license possessed.

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