Understanding Your 2022 Illinois Nursing License Renewal

• For busy Illinois RNs and APRNs juggling incredible strains on the overall healthcare system, little time is left for sifting through new rules and requirements for your 2022 license renewal period.
• The deadline to renew your license is May 31, 2022, in order to avoid the extra fees and paperwork of a license reinstatement.
• Nursing CE Central has a full break down of top questions, deadlines, requirements, and consequences of missing the renewal deadline for the 2022 Illinois nursing license renewal period.

As nurses across the country battle against staffing shortages, burnout, and an all-time high of demands and strains on the overall healthcare system, little time is left for sifting through new rules and requirements for license renewal!

For Illinois RNs and APRNs whose licenses expire during a chaotic 2022, a lapse in licensure not only means a big headache dealing with the license reinstatement process, but also additional fees and paperwork.

That’s why our Nursing CE Central team has a full break down of top questions, deadlines, requirements, and consequences of missing the May 31, 2022, Illinois RN and APRN renewal period. Let us make your Illinois nursing license renewal process easy!

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://www.idfpr.com/profs/nursing.asp#) once it opens on or before April 1, 2022. RNs and APRNs must renew on or before the May 31, 2022 renewal deadline.

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

According to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, no. Regular requirements for the 2022 renewal period are currently in place, such as continuing education completion and state fees.

3. What happens if I don’t renew my license before the May 31, 2022 deadline?

All nurses who miss the May 31st  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. What are the continuing education requirements for the 2022 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.

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

5. 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.

6. Do I have to keep documentation proving I completed my 2022 continuing education requirements for renewal?

Yes! While most nurses who renew their license on or before the May 31, 2022 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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