What Are the Illinois Insurance CE Requirements for 2025?

For licensed insurance agents in Illinois, Continuing Education (CE) isn’t just a formality. It’s a ticking clock that can impact your ability to write business, renew your license, and protect your reputation. And if you’re not careful, missing the deadline doesn’t just cost you money, it can take you completely out of the game.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about CE renewal in Illinois for 2025, including what’s required, when to complete it, how long it takes to process, and what really happens if you fall behind.

What Illinois Insurance Agents Need to Know About CE

The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) requires that all licensed resident producers complete 24 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years.

Here’s the breakdown:

• 24 total hours of approved CE

• 3 hours must be in ethics

• Ethics hours must be completed via a live webinar or an in-person class

• The CE cycle is based on your birth month, every two years

• CE must be completed at least 10 days before your license expiration

When Should You Complete CE in Illinois?

Minimum deadline: 10 days before your license expiration
Best practice deadline: 30 days before your expiration

Tip: Always complete CE at least two weeks in advance to avoid delays, and check that your provider reports within 24–48 hours.

What Happens If You Miss the CE Deadline?

According to the IDOI:

• You cannot legally conduct any insurance business while inactive

• You must pay a $215 renewal fee plus penalty fees

• If your license has expired for over a year, you must start over
  That means pre-licensing, fingerprinting, testing, and everything else.

Reporting Timelines: When Will CE Credits Show Up?

The only way to verify if your CE is complete is to check your transcript via the State-Based Systems (SBS) Portal.

Avoid the trap: Some agents assume “course complete” means “credit submitted.” It doesn’t. You’re not eligible to renew until the state reflects your hours, not when you get a certificate.

Ethics CE: The Most Common Mistake

Live ethics CE isn’t optional. It’s the #1 mistake Illinois agents make.

That 3-hour ethics course must be completed:

• In a live classroom, or

• In a live webinar (with webcam on, full attendance tracked)

How to Check Your CE Status

1. Visit the NIPR or SBS portal

2. Log in with your NPN (National Producer Number)

3. Click “View Transcript” to see completed hours

4. Compare it with your license expiration date

If you’re unsure whether you’ve completed everything, assume you haven’t. Don’t wait until the last minute to verify.

In Summary: Don’t Just Renew, Reinforce Your Business

CE should never be an afterthought. In Illinois, it’s a direct line to maintaining your license, your compliance reputation, and your book of business.

Use it as a moment to sharpen your skills, reinforce your ethical standards, and stay one step ahead of your competitors. Because if you’re the one scrambling to finish a webinar at 10 PM on your expiration day, you’ve already lost.

Your checklist:

• 24 CE hours?

• 3-hour live ethics session completed?

• Credit reported to IDOI?

• License renewed at least 10 days in advance?

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