1. How can I renew my license? Can I mail in a paper renewal application?

Illinois nurses must renew their license online through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s Portal (https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/) once it opens on or before May 31, 2024. The Department typically opens the renewal portal 60-90 days before the renewal deadline.

2. Is it true that renewal fees have been waived for nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) this

2023 renewal period?

Yes! According to a March 2022 announcement from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, renewal fees have been reduced from $80 to $0 in order to “further strengthen the healthcare workforce during the State’s continued battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

3. What happens if I don’t renew my license before the 2023 deadline?

All nurses who miss the 2023 renewal deadline will need to file for a license reinstatement if they wish to continue practicing in the state of Illinois. This process comes with additional fees, and also requires nurses to submit proof of completed continuing education.

To reinstate a lapsed license, nurses must fill out a Reinstatement Application, found under the ‘RN & LPN Applications’ tab at https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/068013000A00300R.html. Fees must be paid by check or money order, and nurses must include proof of completed continuing education in order for their request to be processed.

4. Besides the $0 renewal fee, are any other requirements being waived?

No. According to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, all other renewal requirements are still in place. This includes continuing education requirements and consequences of missing the 2023 renewal deadline.

5. Is the Illinois Board of Nursing waiving any renewal requirements this year due to COVID?

Yes! According to a March 2022 announcement from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation renewal fees have been reduced to $0, all in part to, “further strengthen the healthcare workforce during the State’s continued battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

6. What are the continuing education requirements for the 2023 renewal period?

All nurses must complete 20 hours of approved continuing education per each two-year license renewal cycle. While there are several ways to obtain these credit hours, most nurses take traditional continuing education courses.

Of these 20 hours, one hour must fulfill the Nurse Practice Act’s Sexual Harassment training requirement, as well as one hour of Implicit Bias training.

Additionally, starting in the 2024 renewal cycle, nurses who work with patients who are 26 or older must complete one contact hour in the diagnosis, treatment and care of Alzheimer’s disease, along with other dementia types.

For additional details and a breakdown of required CE, please visit our CE Requirements page: https://upgrade.nursingcecentral.com/ce-requirements-users/

(Nursing CE Central’s 2022 Illinois Renewal Bundle includes both of these required courses.)

7. How can I check that my renewal application is complete?

You can verify your license at https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/. Due to heavy volume, the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation says it may take 2-4 business days for a license to post in their systems and for a license status to update.

8. Do I have to keep documentation proving I completed my 2023 continuing education requirements for renewal?

Yes! While most nurses who renew their license on or before the May 31, 2024 deadline will not need to submit proof of their completed continuing education, those who miss the deadline will need to submit copies during the license reinstatement process.

Furthermore, each nurse is responsible for keeping individual records of continuing education completion, should the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation request it. Nursing CE Central suggests keeping these records for a minimum of three renewal cycles, or six years, should a nurse be selected for an audit.

Looking for more information on Illinois nursing license renewal requirements, or to start your Illinois required CEUs? See our Illinois-specific renewal page!

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