Illinois Cultural Competency CE for Physicians – 2026 Renewal

Illinois Cultural Competency CE Requirement for Physicians

Starting with the July 31, 2026 renewal, all Illinois physicians must complete 1 hour of cultural competency continuing education. This new state-mandated requirement applies to all licensed physicians in Illinois.

What You Need to Know

Required: 1 hour of cultural competency training
Frequency: Every 6 years
First Deadline: July 31, 2026
Applies To: All Illinois physicians
Counts Toward: Your 150-hour CME requirement

What Is Cultural Competency?

According to Illinois law (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1130.525), cultural competency means “a set of integrated attitudes, knowledge, and skills that enables a healthcare professional to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities.”

This training helps you:

Understand how cultural background influences patient health beliefs
Communicate effectively with diverse patient populations
Reduce health disparities in your practice
Provide more equitable, patient-centered care

Other Illinois CME Requirements for 2026

In addition to cultural competency, Illinois physicians must complete:

Every 3 Years:

Every 6 Years:

Safe Opioid Prescribing – 1 hour (if you hold a controlled substance license)
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care – 1 hour (if you see patients 26+)

Save time and money: Complete all 4 mandated courses at once with our Illinois Mandatory Bundle (Sexual Harassment, Implicit Bias, Cultural Competency, and Alzheimer’s).

Complete Your Cultural Competency Requirement Online

Renew Now CE offers a 1-hour online cultural competency course that meets Illinois state requirements.

Course Features:

✓ ANCC-accredited continuing education
✓ Meets Illinois IDFPR requirements
✓ 100% online – complete on any device
✓ Self-paced learning
✓ Instant certificate of completion

Complete Your Cultural Competency CE Now →

FAQs

When did this requirement start?

The first deadline is July 31, 2026.

Does this increase my total CME hours?

No. The 1 hour counts toward your existing 150-hour CME requirement.

Can I complete this now, before my renewal?

Yes. Any training completed during your current license cycle (August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2026) counts toward the requirement.

I’m a new physician – do I need this for my first renewal?

Physicians renewing for the first time after initial licensure are exempt from the 150-hour CME requirement, including mandated topics.

Don’t wait until the July 31, 2026 deadline. Complete your cultural competency requirement today or save with our 4-course Illinois bundle.

Last Updated: October 2025 | Illinois Physician License Renewal Deadline: July 31, 2026

Posted on August 4, 2025December 1, 2025Illinois: Cultural Competency RequirementAudit-Proof CE Trusted by 100k+ Professionals 2025, Renew Now CE: Accredited

Cultural Competency CE Requirement for Illinois Pharmacists

Cultural Competency CE Requirement for Illinois Pharmacists – 2026 License Renewal Guide

Cultural Competency CE Requirement for Illinois Pharmacists: Beginning with 2026 renewals, Illinois pharmacists must complete 1 hour of Cultural Competency continuing education (CE). This new requirement is part of a broader statewide initiative to improve health equity and ensure patients of all cultural backgrounds receive respectful, inclusive care.

If you’re a licensed pharmacist in Illinois, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant — and how to complete this training online, quickly and easily.

Illinois Requirement – Cultural Competency CE for Pharmacists

Under 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1130.5250, all Illinois healthcare professionals who are subject to continuing education — including licensed pharmacists — must complete at least one hour of Cultural Competency CE during each renewal cycle.

This requirement becomes mandatory for license renewals due in 2026 and remains a standing requirement in all future renewal cycles.

Pharmacists are responsible for documenting this CE activity as part of their regular continuing education portfolio.

Why Cultural Competency Matters in Pharmacy Practice

Cultural Competency CE equips pharmacists with tools to:

Better understand how culture and background influence medication beliefs and health behaviors
Avoid miscommunication and improve adherence
Provide inclusive care to patients from diverse populations
Reduce barriers to care and build trust in healthcare systems

This training is not only a compliance requirement — it’s a key part of improving outcomes across all pharmacy settings.

Complete Your CE Requirement Online

Renew Now CE offers a 1-hour Cultural Competency course that is fully compliant with Illinois state requirements and easy to complete from any device.

100% online and mobile-friendly
Complete at your own pace
Instant certificate of completion
Meets the 2026 Illinois renewal requirement

Start the Course Now →

Accreditation

Renew Now CE is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education. This course meets ANCC standards and is widely accepted by pharmacy boards, though pharmacists should confirm acceptance with the Illinois Board of Pharmacy or their employer if needed.

Posted on August 4, 2025December 1, 2025Illinois: Cultural Competency RequirementAudit-Proof CE Trusted by 100k+ Professionals 2025, Renew Now CE: Accredited

Illinois RN/LPN License Renewal and CE Requirements

Illinois RN/LPN License Renewal and CE Requirements – What You Need to Know

Illinois nurses must complete continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain an active license. Whether you’re a new nurse or a longtime professional, staying informed about the Illinois RN/LPN License Renewal and CE Requirements is essential to ensure timely renewal and continued compliance with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Board of Nursing.

Illinois Board of Nursing CE Requirements

To renew your Illinois nursing license, you must complete the following CE requirements during each two-year renewal cycle:

Registered Nurses (RNs):

CE Hours: 20 contact hours every two years.
License Expiration: RNs renew by May 31 of every even-numbered year.
Renewal Fee: $80
First-time Renewal: RNs licensed less than 12 months before the renewal date are not required to complete CE.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs):

CE Hours: 20 contact hours every two years.
License Expiration: LPNs renew by January 31 of every odd-numbered year.
Renewal Fee: $60
First-time Renewal: LPNs licensed less than 12 months before the renewal date are not required to complete CE.

Mandatory CE Courses for Illinois RN/LPN Renewal

In addition to the 20 total hours, Illinois requires nurses to complete specific topic-based CE:

1 Hour – Sexual Harassment Prevention Training: Required every renewal cycle since January 1, 2020.
1 Hour – Implicit Bias Awareness Training: Required each renewal cycle beginning January 1, 2023.
1 Hour – Alzheimer’s and Dementia Training: Required every six years for RNs (starting 2024) and LPNs (started 2023).
1 Hour – Cultural Competency Training: Required every six years starting January 1, 2025 (may be repeated and counted toward CE hours each cycle).
Mandated Reporter Training: Required within 3 months of becoming a mandated reporter and every six years thereafter.

All of these required topics may be counted toward your 20 total CE hours for renewal.

Documentation and Approved CE Providers

Keep Records: Nurses must keep CE documentation for at least five years.
Approved Providers: CE must be offered by approved providers such as ANCC, state boards of nursing, or other IDFPR-approved organizations. Renew Now CE is an approved provider accepted by the Illinois Board of Nursing.

Fulfill Your Illinois RN/LPN License Renewal Requirements with Our 20-Hour CE Package

Our comprehensive Illinois RN/LPN 20-Hour CE Package includes all mandatory courses and general CE hours needed for renewal. All courses are self-paced, fully online, and accessible 24/7.

What’s Included in the 20-Hour Package:

1 Hour – Sexual Harassment Prevention
1 Hour – Implicit Bias Training
1 Hour – Alzheimer’s and Dementia Training
1 Hour – Cultural Competency Training (optional but counts toward renewal)
16 Hours – General Nursing CE Topics such as:
- Pain management
- Infection control
- Documentation best practices
- Patient communication and more

All courses are ANCC-accredited and meet Illinois Board of Nursing requirements.

Get instant access and certification—only $45 for the full package!

Enroll in the Illinois 20-Hour CE Package Today

FAQs About Illinois RN/LPN License Renewal and CE Requirements

1. How many CE hours do I need to renew my Illinois RN or LPN license?

Both RNs and LPNs need 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years.

2. What are the mandatory CE topics for Illinois nurses?

All Illinois nurses must complete CE in:

Sexual harassment prevention (1 hour)
Implicit bias (1 hour)
Alzheimer’s/dementia (1 hour every 6 years)
Cultural competency (1 hour every 6 years beginning 2025)
Mandated reporter training (every 6 years)

3. Can I use online CE courses for Illinois RN/LPN renewal?

Yes. Illinois accepts online CE from accredited providers like Renew Now CE.

4. What if I’m renewing for the first time?

If you’ve been licensed for less than 12 months before your first renewal, CE is not required.

5. When do Illinois RN and LPN licenses expire?

RN licenses: May 31 of even-numbered years.
LPN licenses: January 31 of odd-numbered years.

Renew Your Illinois Nursing License with Ease

With our Illinois Board-approved 20-hour CE package, you can meet all your Illinois RN/LPN License Renewal and CE Requirements on your schedule. Complete the courses at your own pace, anytime, anywhere—and renew your license with confidence.