Q: Is continuing education (CE) mandatory for Illinois APRNs for 2026 license renewal?

A: Yes.

• State: Illinois
• Profession: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
• Required Hours:
  • Total CE: 80 hours per 2-year renewal cycle
  • Pharmacotherapeutics: Minimum 20 hours, including 10 hours of opioid prescribing/substance abuse education
  • Remaining Hours: Up to 30 hours may be earned via presentations, evidence-based practice projects, publications, research, or preceptor activities
  • Timing: All CE must be completed within the 24 months preceding license expiration (next major deadline: May 31, 2026)
• Governing Rule/Citation: Illinois Board of Nursing / IDFPR requirements

Renew Now CE provides an Instant Certificate for immediate license submission.

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Start your renewal confidently with the $150 on-demand 20-hour CE package from Renew Now CE — approved provider ANCC P0557.

Are you an APRN in Illinois feeling stressed about your renewal? With changing rules around continuing education (CE), pharmacotherapeutics, opioid-prescribing education and record-keeping, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news: you can streamline the process with a fully approved, instant-certificate, on-demand CE package tailored for your APRN renewal needs.
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Quick Facts

Here’s your quick look at what you need for 2026 renewal as a Nurse Practitioner/APRN in Illinois:

• Renewal frequency: Every 2 years for APRNs in Illinois. 
• Total CE hours required: 80 hours of approved CE per 2-year cycle. 
• Pharmacotherapeutics minimum: At least 20 hours must cover pharmacotherapeutics, including 10 hours of opioid prescribing/substance abuse education. 
• Renewal deadlines: Check your individual renewal date; next major cycle renewal deadline indicated as May 31, 2026 for nursing/related professions in Illinois.
• Renewal fee: Varies by license type — check with the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) for current amount.
• First-time renewal exemption: The first renewal of an Illinois APRN license may not require full CE hours per rule. 

Get the $150 Illinois APRN 20-Hour Package →

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CE Requirements Deep Dive

What exactly do you need?

For an Illinois APRN renewing in 2026:

• You must complete 80 hours of approved continuing education in the APRN’s specialty per 2-year renewal cycle. 
• Of those 80 hours:
  • At least 20 hours must be in pharmacotherapeutics (which includes 10 hours of opioid prescribing/substance abuse education).
  • Up to 30 hours may be obtained via presentations, evidence-based practice projects, publications, research, or preceptor hours.
• All CE must be completed in the 24 months preceding the license expiration. 
• The package from Renew Now CE (20-hour pharmacotherapeutics) is designed to satisfy the pharmacotherapeutics portion of the requirement. 

Approved Subject Areas & Providers

• Courses must be offered by approved sponsors: ANCC-accredited or recognized by the Illinois Board of Nursing. 
• For APRNs, subject areas include advanced practice pharmacology, prescriptive authority, opioid-safe prescribing, substance abuse, evidence-based practice, advanced clinical management.
• The Renew Now CE package:
  • 20-hour pharmacotherapeutics bundle for Illinois APRNs. 
  • Provider approval: ANCC P0557.
  • Instant certificate download, fully online.
    Secure Your 20-Hour Illinois APRN CE Now – $150 →

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Costs & Timeline

Official renewal fee

• APRN renewal fees are set by IDFPR. Verify your exact fee based on APRN type and status.
• Additional fees may apply for controlled-substance registration, late renewal, or practice authority.

CE cost comparison

• Taking separate CE courses for pharmacotherapeutics, opioid prescribing, specialty topics can often range from $15-$50 per hour—meaning a full 80-hour requirement could cost $1,200-$4,000 depending on provider.
• The bundled 20-hour pharmacotherapeutics package at $150 from Renew Now CE provides major cost savings and efficient compliance.

Total renewal investment example

• License renewal fee: (e.g., $250)
• CE bundle: $150
• Estimated total cost: ~$400 (plus any additional CE hours beyond the 20 hours covered by the package).
• Because only the pharmacotherapeutics portion is covered by the package, you’ll still need additional hours for full 80-hour requirement unless you already have hours.

Timeline recommendations

• Start early in your two-year cycle — don’t wait until the last year or months before expiration.
• Complete the 20-hour pharmacotherapeutics bundle early so you only need remaining hours to complete separately.
• After completing, download your certificate immediately and store in a secure folder (e.g., “IL-APRN_20hrPharm_2026”).
• Plan to complete all 80 hours, submit renewal prior to deadline (May 31, 2026).
  Start Your 20-Hour Illinois APRN CE Package Now – $150 →

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Renewal Process Step-by-Step

Pre-renewal checklist

• Confirm your APRN expiration date and renewal cycle with the Illinois IDFPR Board of Nursing.
• Ensure you have:
  • Completed 20 hours via the Renew Now CE package (pharmacotherapeutics).
  • Additional CE hours (to reach 80 total).
  • Certificate of completion showing provider (ANCC P0557), hours earned, date.
  • Any required training for prescribers (opioids) or other mandated topics (e.g., implicit bias).
• Download all certificates and keep in digital backup.

Online renewal process

• Go to the Illinois My License or IDFPR portal.
• Log in, select “Renew License.”
• Attest to completion of CE requirements and upload certificate if requested.
• Pay the renewal fee and submit before deadline.
• Confirm status — make sure your license is active and ready to practice.

Record-keeping & audit preparation

• Retain all CE certificates for at least 4 years (or as per Illinois board audit requirements). Renew Now CE will keep them for 7 years in your dashboard.
• If audited, provide copies of:
  • Certificates listing provider name, hours earned, date of completion.
  • Documentation of pharmacotherapeutics hours and opioid prescribing hours.
• Choosing a provider like Renew Now CE ensures your certificate lists accreditation and meets Illinois requirements.
  Enroll Today – $150 →

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Common Mistakes & Solutions

Mistake 1: Waiting until the last minute
→ Solution: Start early with the 20-hour bundle, leave the remaining hours to pace out.

Mistake 2: Choosing a provider that’s not Illinois-approved
→ Solution: Choose ANCC accredited providers (ANCC P0557) and verify board acceptance.

Mistake 3: Failing to meet pharmacotherapeutics requirement (20 hours)
→ Solution: The Renew Now CE 20-hour package is designed exactly to fulfill that requirement.

Mistake 4: Misplacing certificates
→ Solution: Download certificate immediately, label file clearly (e.g., “IL-APRN_Pharm20hrs_2026_RenewNowCE.pdf”), back up cloud.

Mistake 5: Letting license expire without renewal or CE incomplete
→ Solution: Set calendar reminders, complete CE early, submit renewal ahead of May 31, 2026.

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Professional Development Value

Renewing your APRN license isn’t just compliance—it’s strategic professional growth.

• The 20 hours of pharmacotherapeutics and opioid/substance abuse education keeps your clinical knowledge sharp and aligned with Illinois advanced-practice expectations.
• Completing recognized CE demonstrates to employers and credentialing bodies your commitment to high-quality patient care and safe prescribing.
• Keeping your license active and state-compliant protects your ability to practice, prescribe, and lead in your field.
• Using an efficient, accredited package like Renew Now CE helps minimize admin burden so you can focus on clinical excellence.
  Invest in Your Career – $150 →

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Special Situations FAQ

Enroll Now – Get Certified for $150 →

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Disclaimer

Requirements for licensure renewal are subject to change by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation and the Illinois Board of Nursing. Always verify your specific renewal cycle and CE requirements via the official board website before registering for courses. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Q: Is Implicit Bias training mandatory for Pharmacists in Michigan?

A: Yes.

• State: Michigan
• Profession: Pharmacists
• Required Hours:
  • New license applicants: 2 hours within the five years before licensure
  • License renewals: 1 hour per year, delivered via interactive formats (webinars or teleconferences)
• Governing Rule/Citation: Michigan Board of Pharmacy / LARA requirements (effective June 1, 2022)

Renew Now CE provides an Instant Certificate for immediate license submission.

Michigan Pharmacist License Renewal and Continuing Education (CE) Requirements for 2025

To keep your Michigan pharmacist license active, you must complete board-approved continuing education (CE) requirements every two years. These requirements include specific topics such as pain management, ethics, and implicit bias, along with mandatory live coursework and limited daily CE hours.

Mandatory CE Topics

• Implicit Bias Training: Starting June 1, 2022, all licensees must complete 2 hours of implicit bias training within five years before applying for licensure. For renewals, 1 hour per year is required, delivered through interactive formats like webinars or teleconferences.
• Pain and Symptom Management: At least 1 hour every two years, covering topics like pain psychology, pharmacology, behavior modification, and stress management.
• Pharmacy Ethics and Law: A minimum of 1 hour in pharmacy ethics and law, completed through one or more courses.
• Opioid and Controlled Substances Awareness Training: Beginning May 28, 2024, pharmacists who prescribe or dispense controlled substances need training in opioid and controlled substances awareness for every renewal cycle.
• Human Trafficking Identification: A one-time human trafficking identification training is mandatory for all pharmacists and counts toward the 30-hour CE requirement.

Renew Now CE provides accredited courses to help you meet all licensing requirements and stay fully compliant.

Michigan Pharmacist Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

• Total CE Hours: Michigan pharmacists need to complete 30 hours of CE every two years. Complete up to 20 hours through home study.
• Proof of Completion: Pharmacists must upload proof of completing 30 hours of board-approved CE within the two years before renewal.
• Live Course Requirement: Pharmacists must complete at least 10 hours of live CE courses that involve direct interaction between faculty and participants.
• Daily CE Limit: Pharmacists may not earn more than 12 CE hours within a 24-hour period.

Approved CE Providers

Michigan accepts courses from any Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited provider. For convenience, Renew Now CE is an ACPE-approved provider and a CE Broker Provider (Michigan Board of Pharmacy #50-18921). Renew Now CE automatically reports to CE Broker. We do not report to NABP CPE monitor.

License Renewal Process Through Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

Michigan pharmacists must renew their licenses every two years by submitting the renewal application through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Here’s how:

1. Access the LARA Portal: Begin by logging into the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS) at MiPLUS.
2. Complete Renewal Application: Fill out the pharmacist license renewal application, ensuring that all CE requirements are fulfilled by the end of the two-year period.
3. Submit Required Fees: Pay the applicable renewal fees during submission.
4. CE Verification: Pharmacists are expected to keep documentation of all completed CE credits for at least four years in case of audit by LARA.

LARA provides additional guidance on their Board of Pharmacy page, or you can contact their office directly at (517) 241-0199 for assistance.

IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING MICHIGAN – 2 HOUR ON-DEMAND CE