Illinois Continuing Education Requirements

RN

Illinois RN licensure requires 20 hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) every two year  renewal period.

Illinois School Nurse Certification Renewal

The Illinois State Board of Education requires 80 Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) every 5 year renewal period, or National Certification in School Nursing.

Note: Illinois Certified School Nurses (ICSN) must accrue CPDU’s for certification plus CNE’s for RN license renewals. ICSN’s who are nationally certified do not need to accrue CPDU’s, but must accrue CNE’s related to school nursing.

For information click here

http://www.isbe.net/certification/html/school_service.htm

National School Nurse Certification Renewal

National certification requires 75 hours of continuing education (CNE) or approved credits related to school nursing practice per 5 year renewal period.  The Illinois contact person is Ginger Barnes  at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For information click here

http://nbcsn.com/recertification.htm

RN Licensure

Illinois registered nurses are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education per pre-renewal period. The pre-renewal period is the 24 months prior to the expiration date on the license. This requirement went into effect June, 2010. More information about continuing education and the Illinois Nurse Practice Act may be found at http://nursing.illinois.gov/NursingCE.asp

To renew RN license click here

School Nurse Certification

School nurse certification recognizes the unique knowledge required of the nursing professional in the education setting. Certification “ensures standard preparation, knowledge, and practice” of the school nurse (University of Illinois/Chicago). The school setting differs from more traditional nurse settings such as hospitals and clinics. Some functions, such as completion of health assessments for special education casework, require certified school nurses. Certification is granted by the Illinois State Board of Education after the completion of mandatory coursework and a passing score on the state exam.

Requirements for the School Service Personnel Certificate (Type 73) School Nurse Endorsement

• Baccalaureate degree
• Licensed as a registered professional nurse in Illinois
• A total minimum of 30 undergraduate or graduate semester hours. Consult one of the approved programs for the exact courses needed.
• Nine-week internship under supervision of a fully qualified school nurse. (NOTE: As of July 1, 1981, the school nurse internship must be provided by an institution of higher education, i.e. college or university, as part of an approved program; the internship requirement usually amounts to a nine (9) week experience, supplemented by one or more seminars.

(Source: Amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 8556, effective June 1, 2004)

Type 73 School Nurse Certification Programs

There are currently four approved programs in Illinois through which the school nurse internship for the Type 73 School Nurse Certification may be obtained. The coordinator or contact person for each program is listed below.

• Millikin University, Jo Carter, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, IL 62522, 217-424-6374
• National Louis University, Linda Gibbons, Director, 1000 Capitol Dr., Wheeling, IL 60090, 847-465-0575 x 5373, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Karen Montgomery, SIUE School of Nursing, 618-650-2000, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• University of Illinois-Chicago, Cathy Yonkaitis, MS, RN, ILCSN, Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Applications for the Type 73 Certificate with School Nurse Endorsement are processed through the office of the Educational Service Region Superintendent. All candidates must successfully complete a certification examination administered by the State Teacher Certification Board before a certificate will be issued.

CNE/CPDU Division Applications 

For CPDUs provided by IASN contact Linda Gibbons, IASN Education Chairman   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This form should be sent to Linda  CPDU_Worksheet_L_Gibbons.doc

IASN will assist divisions in applying for CNE’s and CPDU’s for IASN sponsored meetings. Divisions must apply by the stated deadline in order to allow time required for processing requests. IASN will not provide CNE’s for non-IASN sponsored events. Each IASN member is responsible for maintaining a personal record of all educational offerings attended.

CNE deadline- 45 days before event or meeting. Contact your division ed/cert member.

CPDU deadline- 30 days before event or meeting. Contact your division ed/cert member.

Education Offerings

IASN offers an annual convention in the fall of each year. The ten IASN divisions also offer one or more presentations each year. Our national organization (NASN) offers a multi-day convention each June. You may find NASN information at http://www.nasn.org/

For current offerings refer to Upcoming Events or the Event Calendar.

Educational institutions, agencies and other organizations are encouraged to submit information about education offerings and other activities which may be of interest to school nurses.

Illinois Center forNursing website: http://nursing.illinois.gov/NursingCE.asp

For ISBE requirements for CPDUs click