Illinois
Registered Nurse CE & renewal requirements in Illinois (2026)
20 contact hours per renewal, on a 24-month renewal cycle with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing.
Renewal cycle
Every 24 months
Biennial; RN licenses expire May 31 of even-numbered years
Continuing education
20 contact hours per renewal
20 contact hours per cycle; must include 1 hour Alzheimer's/dementia and 1 hour implicit bias awareness, plus mandated-reporter training where applicable, and (from 2025) 1 hour cultural competency every 6 years
- Alzheimer's/dementia (1 hr)
- Implicit bias awareness (1 hr)
- Cultural competency (1 hr / 6 yrs, from 2025)
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing · Verified July 5, 2026
Rules change — always confirm current requirements with your board before relying on this page. Visit Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing
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- How often do registered nurses renew their license in Illinois?
- Biennial; RN licenses expire May 31 of even-numbered years
- How many contact hours do I need in Illinois?
- 20 contact hours per renewal. 20 contact hours per cycle; must include 1 hour Alzheimer's/dementia and 1 hour implicit bias awareness, plus mandated-reporter training where applicable, and (from 2025) 1 hour cultural competency every 6 years
- Where do I renew my Registered Nurse license in Illinois?
- Through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing. We verified these details on 2026-07-05 — always confirm with the board before your deadline.
- Is this page official?
- No — Credlark is an independent organizational tool, not the licensing board. This page cites its source and check date; use it to plan, then confirm with your board.