(2014-10) This document is to be construed as an informal statement reflecting the interpretation of the Department on
the particular matter you described and is not intended as an official opinion of the State of IL. Only the Attorney General
of the State of IL is empowered to render formal opinions concerning the laws of this State.
555 West Monroe Street, 5
th
Floor Chicago, Illinois 60661 ∙ (888) 473-4858 ∙ TTY (866) 325-4949
320 West Washington Street, 3
rd
Floor Springfield, Illinois 62786 ∙ (888) 473-4858 ∙ TTY (866) 325-4949
Rules for the Administration of: The Nurse Practice Act: Section
1300.130 Continuing Education
a) Continuing Education (CE) Requirements
1) As required by the Act, all nurses shall complete continuing education
as follows:
C) All advanced practice registered nurses shall complete 80
hours of approved continuing education in the advanced practice
registered nurse’s specialty per 2-year license renewal cycle.
Completion of the 80 hours under this subsection (a)(1)(C ) shall satisfy the
continuing education requirements for renewal of a registered professional
nurse license. An APRN holding more than one APRN license is required to
complete 80 hours of continuing education total per license renewal period.
The 80 hours of continuing education required shall be completed as follows:
i) A minimum of 50 hours of the continuing education shall be obtained in
continuing education programs that shall include no less than 20 hours of
pharmacotherapeutics, including 10 hours of opioid prescribing or substance
abuse education.
ii) A maximum of 30 hours of credit may be obtained by presentations in the
APRN clinical specialty, evidence-based practice, or quality improvement
projects, publications, research projects, or preceptor hours.
2. During what time period must the Continuing Education (CE) be completed?
a. All CE courses must be completed in the 24 months preceding expiration of the
license. For the upcoming 2024 APRN and FPA-APRN renewal, all CE must have
been completed between September 1, 2022 and May 31, 2024.
3. This is my first time renewing my IL APRN or FPA-APRN license – do I need to
complete 80 hours of CE prior to May 31, 2024?
a. No, a renewal applicant shall not be required to comply with CE requirements for the
first renewal of an IL APRN or FPA-APRN license, Nurse Practice Act Rules:
Section 1300.130 a) 4).
4. I completed continuing education hours for my nursing license in another state, will I be
able to use those same completed courses for Illinois APRN or FPA-APRN re-licensure
CE courses {Section 1300.130(a)(6)}?
a. Yes, CE hours used to satisfy the CE requirements of another jurisdiction may be
applied to fulfill the CE requirements of the State of Illinois for APRN or FPA-APRN
re-licensure pursuant to the provisions set forth in subsection (c ).
5. Will completion of a skills certification course be used towards Illinois APRN and FPA-
APRN re-licensure in 2024?
a. Up to 5 CE hours may be earned for completion of skills certification courses. A
maximum of 2 hours in cardiopulmonary resuscitation certified by the American Red
Cross, American Heart Association, Health and Safety Institute (HIS), or other
qualified organization may be accepted, while a maximum of 3 hours may be
accepted for certification or recertification of Basic Life Support for Healthcare
Providers (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or Pediatric Advanced Life
Support (PALS) or their equivalent.
6. Are there equivalencies for Continuing Education CE?