Below is exactly what Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Nursing requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.
Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026
For RNs, 20 hours is the total CME requirement. Illinois also requires a set of one-time topics that count toward the 20-hour total.
“One of the 20 hours of required CE must be sexual harassment prevention training for RNs.”
“One of the 20 hours of required CE must be an implicit bias awareness training course for RNs.”
These rules apply only when the trigger described under each card is met (for example, holding a state-issued controlled substance registration or treating a specific patient population). Each cites the underlying statute or rule directly.
RNs who provide health care services to and have direct patient interaction with adults 26 years of age and older
“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.”
RNs renewing their Illinois license for the first time after initial licensure
“All CE must be completed in the 24 months preceding expiration of the license. First-time renewals are exempt from CE requirements.”
Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Illinois Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.
| Credit system | Notes |
|---|---|
ANCC Contact Hour | ANCC-accredited CE accepted. 1 CNE (contact hour) = 1 contact hour = 60 minutes. Also accepted: 1 AMA credit = 1 contact hour; 1 CME = 1 contact hour.SourceIll. Admin. Code tit. 68, § 1300.130(a)[2] |
Board-approved credit | CE from IDFPR-approved sponsors required. Approved sponsors include recognized certification bodies, ANCC-accredited providers, nursing associations, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and accredited schools. Out-of-state CE requires pre-approval from IDFPR (individual program approval request form + $25 fee, within 90 days before license expiration).SourceIll. Admin. Code tit. 68, § 1300.130(c)/(e)[2] |
Records retention: CE certificates must be retained for audits. IDFPR may conduct random audits requiring evidence of completion.
First-time renewals are exempt from CE requirements. No CE is required for the first renewal of an Illinois RN license.
Waivers may be granted for extreme hardship — full-time active military service, incapacitating illness documented by a licensed health care provider, or physical inability to access approved program sites.
Atlas CME tracks your hours, maps them to your state requirements, and reminds you before your a fixed renewal cycle renewal.
Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.
“One of the 20 hours of required CE must be sexual harassment prevention training for RNs.”225 ILCS 65/60-40 / Ill. Admin. Code tit. 68, § 1300.130 · Effective 2020-01-01
“One of the 20 hours of required CE must be an implicit bias awareness training course for RNs.”225 ILCS 65/60-40 / Ill. Admin. Code tit. 68, § 1300.130 · Effective 2024-01-01
“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.”225 ILCS 65/60-40 / Ill. Admin. Code tit. 68, § 1300.130 · Effective 2024-01-01
“All CE must be completed in the 24 months preceding expiration of the license. First-time renewals are exempt from CE requirements.”Ill. Admin. Code tit. 68, § 1300.130(a)