Clarification needed in renewing license vs certification

aprnKate · Nov 25, 2017

Just renew your RN/FNP license as you would for your state when it is due which is every 2 years, check your state requirements on what they want for your license renewal

and then your FNP certificate in 5 years when it is due.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 25, 2017

Exactly what APRNKate said.

I live in IL, we renew our RN license in even years - next time May 2018 and you need to state that you have done your CEUs for that requirement.

Beginning with the May 31, 2012 renewal, all registered nurses shall complete 20 hours of approved continuing education per 2 year license renewal cycle.

2. ... No, a renewal applicant shall not be required to comply with CE requirements for the first renewal of an IL RN license.

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

https://www.idfpr.com/FAQ/DPR/2012-01aa_IL_RN_CE_Relicensure_FAQ.pdf

You should easily have the 20 hours every 2 years as you need far more than that every 5 years for your certification. Hope this helps

nurselove757 · Nov 25, 2017

Hello there,

Thank you for responding. I still need to know whether the RN/BSN degree does or does not has a certification that needs to be renewed. I don't think there is. The reason why I am confused is because if the Family Nurse Practitioner degree has a certification from the AANP, then why does the Registered Nurse degree does not has a certification renewal process by the NCLEX?

babyNP., APRN · Nov 26, 2017

Hello there,
Thank you for responding. I still need to know whether the RN/BSN degree does or does not has a certification that needs to be renewed. I don't think there is. The reason why I am confused is because if the Family Nurse Practitioner degree has a certification from the AANP, then why does the Registered Nurse degree does not has a certification renewal process by the NCLEX?

It just doesn't. A RN and a NP are two very different roles- you don't need to expect that they require the same things. Most states require nursing CEUs to renew RN licenses, but each state has its own individual requirements.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 26, 2017

RN does not require certification in IL (at least) - just renew it every 2 years with IDPH - next renewal is May 2018 and you will have to sign a form that you have completed the 20 hours of CEUs - which is easy since you should already be working on your CME needed for your NP certification

nurselove757 · Nov 28, 2017

Ok all, thank you for responding and clearing this up for me. Everyone really helped me. Thanks!!!

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Dec 17, 2017

RN does not require certification in IL (at least) - just renew it every 2 years with IDPH

I hope you mean IDFPR, otherwise you'll get very screwed barking up the wrong department's tree

Trauma Columnist · Dec 18, 2017

I hope you mean IDFPR, otherwise you'll get very screwed barking up the wrong department's tree

Dang - it USED to be called IDPH, its only been IDPFR for a very few years. Thanks for pointing this out....

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Dec 21, 2017

Dang - it USED to be called IDPH, its only been IDPFR for a very few years. Thanks for pointing this out....

Nope, it's still called IDPH, it's just that IDPH has nothing to do with nursing licensure (ECRN and PHRN notwithstanding). You're thinking of IDPR.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 27, 2017

Yeah in IL we keep changing the acronyms, is now IDFPR - IL Dept of Professional and Financial Regulation.

State of Illinois | Department of Financial & Professional Regulation

In IL, while our state can't pay its bills, it can seemingly change the names of regulating agencies with abandon.

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Dec 27, 2017

IDPR became IDFPR due to a merger of departments, which notionally should've helped reduce management costs. Not sure if it did.