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Illinois Registered Nurse License Renewal: Fees & Requirements (2026)

Data verified: March 2026 · Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation · Methodology →

Illinois RN Renewal at a Glance

Renewal Fee
$40
CE Required
20 Contact Hours
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Late Fee
$80
Grace Period
60 days

Illinois RNs must complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

How to Renew Your Illinois RN License

  1. 1

    Complete 20 Contact Hours

    Complete 20 Contact Hours during the 2-year renewal period. Keep certificates of completion — the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may audit your CE records.

  2. 2

    Submit your renewal application

    Log in to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation online licensing portal before your license expiration date. Complete the renewal application and attest to CE completion if required.

  3. 3

    Pay the $40 renewal fee

    Pay the $40 base renewal fee. If renewing after expiration but within the 60-day grace period, the late fee of $80 applies.

  4. 4

    Confirm license renewal

    Download or print your renewed license. Verify your new expiration date and confirm the license appears as active in the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's public license lookup.

Official Licensing Board

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

idfpr.illinois.gov →

Calculate Your Total Renewal Cost

Use the full Registered Nurse calculator to factor in late fees, compare all 51 states, or estimate CE costs.

Open Illinois RN Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Illinois Registered Nurse renewal fee? +
The base renewal fee for a Registered Nurse license in Illinois is $40 per 2-year renewal cycle. The late renewal fee is $80 (grace period: 60 days).
How many Contact Hours does Illinois require for RN renewal? +
Illinois requires 20 Contact Hours per 2-year renewal cycle for Registered Nurse licensees.
Which board regulates Registered Nurse licenses in Illinois? +
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation regulates Registered Nurse licenses in Illinois. Visit their official website for the most current renewal instructions and fee schedule.
What happens if my Illinois RN license expires? +
Illinois provides a 60-day grace period after expiration during which you can renew by paying the late fee of $80. After the grace period, your license may become lapsed and require a reinstatement process.
Data last verified January 2025 from official board sources. Fees change without notice — verify current amounts at Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before submitting payment. How we source our data →