Independent Illinois nursing renewal guide checked against IDFPR, Illinois nursing rules and official renewal resources.
Illinois Nursing License Renewal Requirements 2026: CE, Fees & Deadlines
Illinois nursing renewal is mostly an IDFPR timing and documentation task: renew during the correct window, finish the right CE hours before expiration, keep certificates in case of audit, and do not practice after the license expires.
Illinois RN and APRN licenses expire on May 31 of even-numbered years, so the 2026 RN/APRN renewal deadline is May 31, 2026. Illinois LPN licenses expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years, so the next regular LPN deadline after 2026 planning is January 31, 2027. RN and LPN renewal CE is 20 hours; APRN renewal CE is 80 hours.
Illinois nursing renewal facts that change your next step
RN renewal is due May 31 in even years
Registered professional nurse licenses expire May 31 of each even-numbered year and require 20 hours of CE each renewal cycle.
LPN renewal is on a different cycle
Licensed practical nurse licenses expire January 31 of each odd-numbered year. LPNs also complete 20 CE hours per cycle.
APRN renewal includes the RN license
APRN and APRN-FPA licenses expire May 31 of even-numbered years and require 80 CE hours. The Illinois RN license must also be renewed.
Do not keep working after expiration. Illinois rules state that practice on an expired license is unlicensed practice of nursing and can be grounds for discipline.
Choose your Illinois nursing renewal requirement
This local helper does not query IDFPR. It points you to the official renewal route based on your license type.
Illinois RN, LPN and APRN renewal deadlines for 2026 planning
Illinois does not put every nursing credential on the same renewal date. Check your own IDFPR license lookup record and renewal portal, especially if you were newly licensed, restored, disciplined, inactive or recently changed license type.
| License type | Regular expiration rule | 2026 practical meaning | CE requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Professional Nurse / RN | May 31 of each even-numbered year. | Renew by May 31, 2026 if your RN license is in the regular 2026 cycle. | 20 approved CE hours. |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse / APRN | May 31 of each even-numbered year. | Renew APRN/APRN-FPA by May 31, 2026 and make sure the underlying RN license is renewed. | 80 approved CE hours in the APRN specialty. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse / LPN | January 31 of each odd-numbered year. | Use 2026 to prepare for the January 31, 2027 LPN renewal deadline. | 20 approved CE hours. |
IDFPR says online renewal is generally available about 2 to 3 months before the expiration date shown on the license. If the online renewal window closes and the portal does not allow renewal, IDFPR directs applicants to request reinstatement/restoration instead.
Illinois nursing CE requirements for renewal
CE must be completed in the 24 months before license expiration unless an official exception applies. Keep certificates because Illinois renewal uses attestation and can be audited.
RN renewal CE
Illinois RNs complete 20 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle.
LPN renewal CE
Illinois LPNs complete 20 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle.
APRN renewal CE
Illinois APRNs complete 80 approved CE hours in the APRN specialty per 2-year renewal cycle.
| Required or common topic | Who should watch it | How it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual harassment prevention | DPR licensees with CE renewal requirements. | 1 CE hour; may count inside the total CE requirement. |
| Implicit bias awareness | Illinois nurses renewing after the requirement applies. | 1 CE hour; may count inside the total CE requirement. |
| Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care | Nurses who provide health care services with direct patient interaction with adults age 26 and older. | 1 CE hour; may count inside the total CE requirement when applicable. |
| Mandated reporter training | Nurses who are mandated reporters, especially those working with children in professional or official capacity. | Training is repeated at least every 6 years and may count toward CE when permitted. |
| APRN pharmacotherapeutics | APRN and APRN-FPA renewal applicants. | At least 20 of the 50 formal APRN CE hours must be pharmacotherapeutics, including opioid/substance-abuse education. |
Illinois nursing renewal fees and late-risk planning
The Illinois nursing fee rule states renewal fees are calculated at the rate of $40 per year for practical nurse, registered professional nurse, APRN and APRN-FPA licenses. Confirm the live checkout amount in the IDFPR portal before paying.
| Fee item | Published rule | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| RN renewal | $40 per year. | A normal 2-year cycle is commonly $80 before any separate processing or related-license fee shown in the portal. |
| LPN renewal | $40 per year. | Use the January odd-year LPN cycle; confirm your personal expiration date in license lookup. |
| APRN/APRN-FPA renewal | $40 per year. | The APRN renewal does not replace the need to keep the Illinois RN license renewed. |
| Restoration after lapse | $50 plus lapsed renewal fees, capped by rule. | If online renewal is closed, use IDFPR reinstatement/restoration instructions instead of continuing to practice. |
How to renew an Illinois nursing license online
Check your license record first
Use IDFPR license lookup to confirm your exact expiration date, license status, credential name and whether you have more than one related credential.
Open IDFPR license lookupFinish CE before the expiration date
Complete the required CE in the 24 months before expiration. Do not wait for the renewal portal to open before finishing mandatory-topic courses.
Keep certificates and course proof
Illinois rules allow the Division to require evidence such as certificates of attendance in a random audit. Keep proof even if the renewal form only asks you to certify compliance.
Renew through IDFPR when your window opens
IDFPR says renewal is generally available about 2 to 3 months before the expiration date shown on the license.
Open IDFPR renewal pagePay the portal amount and save the receipt
Save your confirmation number, payment receipt and a copy of the renewed license or updated license lookup record.
Allow status-update time
IDFPR renewal pages commonly tell users to allow 2 to 4 business days for the renewed license to post and status to update.
Illinois APRN renewal requirements in 2026
APRN renewal is more detailed than RN renewal. Illinois APRNs must maintain the RN license, attest to continued current national certification when required, and complete the APRN CE structure.
Total APRN CE
APRN renewal requires 80 approved CE hours in the APRN specialty per 2-year cycle.
Formal CE programs
At least 50 hours must be obtained in continuing education programs.
Pharmacotherapeutics
The 50 formal hours must include no less than 20 hours of pharmacotherapeutics, including opioid prescribing or substance-abuse education.
Illinois APRN CE rules say completion of the 80 APRN hours satisfies the CE requirement for renewal of the RN license, but the RN license still must be renewed in order to renew the APRN license.
What to keep in case IDFPR audits your Illinois nursing CE
Illinois renewal is not the time to guess. Keep the documents that prove attendance, subject matter, date, sponsor and credit hours.
If your CE is from another jurisdiction or not clearly from an approved sponsor, review Illinois rules before relying on it. Illinois may require an individual program approval process in certain cases.
IDFPR nursing office location, map and contact routes
Use online renewal and license lookup first. For unresolved issues, IDFPR lists Chicago and Springfield offices and the main call center.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Chicago Office: 555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661
Springfield Office: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
Call: 1-888-473-4858
TTY/TDD: 1-866-325-4949
Official sources used for this Illinois renewal guide
Illinois nursing license renewal FAQ
When is the Illinois RN renewal deadline in 2026?
Illinois RN licenses expire May 31 of even-numbered years. For the regular 2026 cycle, renew by May 31, 2026.
When is the Illinois APRN renewal deadline in 2026?
Illinois APRN and APRN-FPA licenses expire May 31 of even-numbered years. The regular 2026 APRN renewal deadline is May 31, 2026.
When does an Illinois LPN license renew?
Illinois LPN licenses expire January 31 of odd-numbered years. For 2026 planning, the next regular LPN deadline is January 31, 2027 unless your license record shows a different status.
How many CE hours does an Illinois RN need?
Illinois RNs must complete 20 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle.
How many CE hours does an Illinois LPN need?
Illinois LPNs must complete 20 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle.
How many CE hours does an Illinois APRN need?
Illinois APRNs must complete 80 hours of approved continuing education in the APRN specialty per 2-year renewal cycle.
Does the first Illinois nursing renewal require CE?
Illinois CE rules state that a renewal applicant is not required to comply with CE requirements for the first renewal of an Illinois license.
How much is Illinois nursing renewal?
The fee rule calculates RN, LPN and APRN renewal at $40 per year. A normal 2-year cycle is commonly $80, but always confirm the live amount in the IDFPR portal.
Can I practice if my Illinois nursing license expired?
No. Illinois rules state that practice on an expired license is unlicensed practice of nursing and can be grounds for discipline.
Where do I renew my Illinois nursing license?
Use the IDFPR Online License Renewal page when your profession and renewal window are open. Check IDFPR license lookup if you do not know your expiration date.
Bottom line for Illinois nursing renewal
For 2026, the major deadline is May 31, 2026 for Illinois RN and APRN renewal. LPNs use the January odd-year cycle, with January 31, 2027 as the next regular deadline after 2026 planning. Finish CE before expiration, keep certificates, renew through IDFPR, and verify that the license status updates before relying on it for work.