Illinois Registered Nurse (RN) Continuing Education Requirements
Requirements Overview
Illinois requires registered nurses to complete 20 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle, which runs from June 1 to May 31 of even-numbered years. Unlike many states that use birth-month-based cycles, Illinois has a fixed renewal schedule for all RNs.
Several mandatory topics are embedded within the 20-hour total (not in addition to it): 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training, 1 hour of implicit bias awareness, and 1 hour of cultural competency (new as of January 2025). Nurses who provide care to adults age 26 and older must also complete 1 hour of Alzheimer's disease and dementia training. Those who work with children are required to complete mandated reporter training at least every 6 years.
Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so nurses practicing in Illinois must hold an active Illinois license regardless of any compact privileges from other states.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Harassment Prevention Training | 1 | Every renewal | Counts toward the 20-hour total. Required since January 1, 2020. |
| Implicit Bias Awareness Training | 1 | Every renewal | Counts toward the 20-hour total. Required for renewals after January 1, 2023. |
| Cultural Competency | 1 | Every renewal | Counts toward the 20-hour total. New requirement effective January 1, 2025. |
| Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Training | 1 | Every renewal | Counts toward the 20-hour total. Required only if providing care to adults age 26+. |
| Mandated Reporter Training | — | Periodic | Required at least every 6 years. Only for nurses who work with children in their professional capacities. |
Exemptions
- Conditional Alzheimer'S Exemption — Alzheimer's/Dementia training only required if providing care to adults age 26+.Must complete if practice involves adults age 26+.
- Conditional Mandated Reporter Exemption — Mandated Reporter training only required for nurses who work with children.Must complete if practice involves children.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Provider Requirements
CE must be from IDFPR-approved sponsors. Illinois has a CE Sponsor approval process. ANCC-accredited providers are accepted. Providers must apply for approval through IDFPR (CE Sponsor Application).
Tips for Illinois RNs
- All mandatory topic hours count toward your 20-hour total — not on top of it. Plan your CE mix so mandatory courses cover at least 3-4 hours, leaving 16-17 hours for electives.
- Mark May 31 of even-numbered years on your calendar. Missing the renewal window requires a formal reinstatement application through IDFPR.
- Cultural competency became mandatory in January 2025 — make sure your CE plan includes this newer requirement.
- If you work with children, mandated reporter training is required every 6 years on a separate cycle from your biennial CE. Track both deadlines independently.