Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner License Renewal

ByAllied License Guide Editorial Team

Editorial Note: This page is editorially reviewed by an ARDMS-credentialed sonographer as part of AlliedLicenseGuide.com’s allied health licensing database. Primary source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110 — Continuing Education (ILGA JCAR).

Who This Guide Is For

  • Illinois-licensed respiratory care practitioners approaching the October 31 biennial renewal deadline and confirming CE hours, approved sponsor rules, and the restoration process for any lapsed periods.
  • Recently licensed Illinois LRCPs who want to know whether CE is required at their first renewal and when the 24-hour requirement kicks in.
  • Travel respiratory therapists maintaining an active Illinois LRCP license between assignments and tracking the fixed October 31 odd-year cycle.

Illinois LRCP Renewal — At a Glance

Renewal Cycle Biennial (every 2 years)
License Expiration October 31 of each odd-numbered year (fixed; all LRCPs)
Renewal Fee $120 ($60/year per 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.75(b))
Restoration Fee (≤5 years lapsed) $20 penalty + lapsed renewal fees per 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.75(c)(1) (reported max $300 cap — verify from current rule text)
Grace Period None — expired license = unlicensed activity
CE Hours Required 24 hours per 2-year period; first renewal CE-exempt
Mandatory CE Topics None specified; CE must be relevant to respiratory care practice
Online/Self-Study Limit No limit — any format from approved sponsors accepted
Renewal Method Online via IDFPR CORE
Lapsed License Restorable within 5 years; Board review required after 5 years
Compact Renewal Not applicable — Illinois has not enacted the RCIC
Renewal Contact 1-888-473-4858 (general) / 1-800-560-6420 (professional licensing)

Illinois LRCP renewals run on a fixed biennial cycle expiring October 31 of every odd-numbered year — the same date for every practitioner in the state, regardless of when their license was originally issued. This uniformity simplifies tracking but means there is no individualized expiration date to watch for. IDFPR sends courtesy email renewal reminders, but the IDFPR qualifications document is explicit: keeping your contact information current with the Department is your responsibility, and receipt of a reminder does not change the obligation to renew on time.

Illinois uses self-certification for CE compliance at renewal. Practitioners certify on the renewal form that they have completed the required hours from approved sponsors during the prerenewal period. IDFPR may audit renewal applicants and require documentation to verify compliance.

First Renewal — CE Exemption

The first renewal following original issuance of an Illinois LRCP license is exempt from the continuing education requirement. The CE obligation begins at the second renewal. The prerenewal period for CE is the 24 months preceding October 31 of the renewal year. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110(a)(5).

CE Requirements

Illinois requires 24 hours of continuing education relevant to the practice of respiratory care during each 24-month prerenewal period. One CE hour equals 50 minutes. Illinois places no cap on the number of hours earned through self-study, online, or distance learning — the only requirement is that courses come from an approved sponsor and contribute to the advancement of respiratory care knowledge and skills.

Two additional CE pathways are available: instructors and course presenters may claim CE credit for actual presentation time plus up to 2 hours of preparation per hour of presentation, with a maximum of 12 hours per renewal period. University or college courses count at 15 CE hours per semester hour or 10 CE hours per quarter hour.

NBRC Exam CE Credit

Passing an advanced NBRC examination beyond the entry level earns 6 continuing education hours toward the renewal requirement. This applies to the Advanced Practitioner, Clinical Simulation, and other NBRC examinations beyond entry level — not the CRT itself. CE credit is not granted for the same examination taken more than once. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110(a)(7).

Approved CE Sponsors

The following organizations are explicitly named as approved CE sponsors in 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110(c)(1) — no separate verification or application is required for courses offered by these organizations:

  • American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) or its affiliates
  • Illinois Society for Respiratory Care (ISRC) or its affiliates
  • American Medical Association (AMA) or Illinois State Medical Society or affiliates
  • American Hospital Association or Illinois Hospital Association or affiliates
  • Illinois Nurses Association or American Nursing Association or affiliates
  • American Lung Association or affiliates
  • American Heart Association or affiliates
  • Any other entity approved by the IDFPR Division upon Board recommendation (requires separate sponsor application and fee)

CE credit is not accepted from unapproved sponsors for hours earned in Illinois. For CE earned in another state from a non-approved sponsor, practitioners may submit a $20 processing fee to request Board approval — this application must be submitted before taking the program or at least 90 days before the license expiration date. Late approval requests carry an additional $10 per hour fee, up to a maximum of $150. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110(d).

Lapsed Licenses and Restoration

Practicing or offering to practice on an expired Illinois LRCP license is immediately considered unlicensed activity — there is no grace period. Practitioners who miss the October 31 renewal deadline cannot continue practicing until their license is restored. Restoration within five years of expiration requires payment of a $20 penalty fee plus all lapsed renewal fees, subject to a maximum total of $300. Licenses that have been expired or inactive for more than five years require a formal Board review and may require additional restoration requirements including CE documentation and demonstration of continued clinical competency. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.90.

CE Waiver

The Division may waive CE requirements for practitioners who cannot complete the required hours due to full-time military service during a substantial part of the prerenewal period, or due to extreme hardship — defined as an incapacitating illness documented by a licensed physician, physical inability to travel to program sites, or similar extenuating circumstances. Waiver requests must be filed with the renewal application and renewal fee, and include a statement of facts supporting the waiver request. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110(f).

How to Renew

  1. Complete 24 hours of CE during the 24-month prerenewal period ending October 31 of the renewal year. All courses must be from approved sponsors and relevant to respiratory care practice.
  2. Log in to IDFPR CORE at idfpr.illinois.gov. The renewal window opens approximately 2–3 months before the October 31 deadline.
  3. Certify CE compliance on the renewal form. You are attesting to completion of the required hours — do not certify unless you have done so. IDFPR may audit and request documentation.
  4. Pay the renewal fee (see table above) by credit card, debit card, or e-check through CORE.
  5. Keep CE documentation. Sponsors must maintain records for 5 years; practitioners should retain CE certificates as well in case of audit.

Practical Notes

  • October 31 is the same for everyone. Unlike birthday-based states, every Illinois LRCP renews on October 31 of odd years. If you manage licenses in multiple states, Illinois’s fixed date is one of the easier ones to track — just make sure your IDFPR email address is current so you get the courtesy reminder.
  • AARC CE counts automatically — no verification needed. AARC and its affiliates are named in the regulation as approved sponsors. If you complete CE through AARC, you don’t need to separately verify that Illinois accepts it.
  • No cap on online or self-study hours. Illinois places no limit on what percentage of your 24 hours can come from online or distance learning — the only requirement is that courses come from approved sponsors.
  • Passing an advanced NBRC examination earns 6 CE hours. Passing an NBRC examination beyond the entry-level CRT — such as the Clinical Simulation Exam, an advanced specialty exam, or any other beyond-entry-level NBRC credential — earns 6 CE hours toward your renewal requirement. Entry-level CRT does not earn CE credit, and the same exam cannot be credited more than once.
  • Expired means unlicensed — immediately. There is no grace period. If October 31 passes and you haven’t renewed, stop practicing and initiate the restoration process before resuming.

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CE hours does Illinois require per renewal period?

Illinois requires 24 hours of continuing education relevant to the practice of respiratory care during each 24-month prerenewal period. One CE hour equals 50 minutes. The first renewal following original licensure is exempt from CE — the 24-hour requirement begins at the second renewal. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110.

Are AARC courses automatically accepted for Illinois CE?

Yes. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and its affiliates are explicitly named in 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110(c)(1) as approved CE sponsors. No separate verification is required. The Illinois Society for Respiratory Care (ISRC), AMA, AHA, American Lung Association, and American Heart Association are also named in the regulation as automatically approved. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110(c)(1).

Is there a limit on how many CE hours I can earn online in Illinois?

No. Illinois places no cap on self-study, online, or distance learning CE hours. All 24 hours may be earned through online or home study formats, as long as courses are provided by approved sponsors and relevant to respiratory care practice. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110.

What happens if my Illinois LRCP license expires?

There is no grace period. You may not practice respiratory care in Illinois until the license has been restored and returned to active status. Restoration within five years requires paying a $20 penalty plus all lapsed renewal fees (reported maximum $300 — verify from current 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.75 before relying on this figure). Licenses expired for more than five years require a formal Board review and may require additional CE documentation and competency verification. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.90.

Can I earn CE credit for passing an NBRC exam?

Yes, for advanced NBRC exams. Passing the Advanced Practitioner, Clinical Simulation, or any other NBRC examination beyond the entry level earns 6 continuing education hours. This does not apply to the entry-level CRT examination, and CE credit is not granted for the same examination taken more than once. Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110(a)(7).

Fees and CE requirements listed on this page are based on information from IDFPR and Illinois administrative rules verified on the date shown in the change log below. Requirements are subject to change — confirm current details with IDFPR Respiratory Care before your renewal deadline.

Change Log
2026-06-12 — Page created. CE requirements, approved sponsors, renewal cycle, and restoration rules verified from 68 Ill. Adm. Code § 1456.110 and IDFPR Form 194. Key findings: AARC codified as approved sponsor; no self-study cap; advanced NBRC exams earn 6 CE hours; first renewal CE-exempt; no grace period after October 31 expiration. Compact status: Illinois not an RCIC member as of verification date.

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