Illinois EMS providers have two paths to renew their state license: maintain National Registry (NREMT) certification, or follow Illinois state CE requirements. Illinois has higher state hour requirements than NREMT, a 20% per-category cap on CE distribution, and a mandatory Alzheimer’s and dementia training requirement every renewal cycle.
Compare Both Paths
Both paths are shown below side-by-side so you can compare hours at your certification level.
Find Your Hours at a Glance
Use the table below to quickly see how many CE hours you need based on your certification level and chosen path, plus the per-category cap for each.
Mandatory Alzheimer’s and Dementia Training
Illinois EMS personnel are required to complete at least one hour of CE training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias per license renewal period. This is a mandatory requirement that applies to all Illinois EMS providers regardless of whether you follow the NREMT path or the state path.
CE Solutions is currently developing an Alzheimer’s and Dementia course specifically designed to satisfy Illinois’s renewal requirement. We’ll notify our Illinois customers when it becomes available.
The Simplest Way to Recertify in Illinois: NREMT
For most Illinois EMS providers, maintaining NREMT certification is the simplest path to recertification. NREMT requires fewer total hours, has no 20% per-category cap, and can be completed entirely through CAPCE-accredited online EMS continuing education.
The state path requires significantly more hours than NREMT, plus the 20% category distribution rule, which means more planning to make sure your hours land in the right categories.
Our NREMT recertification packages bundle the required hours and topics for each provider level. Every course is CAPCE-accredited and accepted for both NREMT and Illinois state recertification.
Illinois EMS Continuing Education Through CE Solutions
CE Solutions is a CAPCE-accredited EMS continuing education provider serving Illinois EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics since 1997.
- NREMT recertification packages structured for each provider level
- Full EMS continuing education library covering Illinois’s category distribution needs
- CAPCE-accredited courses accepted for both NREMT and Illinois state recertification
- Alzheimer’s and Dementia course in development to satisfy the Illinois mandatory requirement
- 100% online delivery, accessible from anywhere
- Direct email support with responses within 24 hours
- Automatic CE certificate generation accepted for Illinois EMS renewal
Browse our Illinois EMS continuing education courses or view NREMT recertification packages to get started.
Illinois EMS Recertification FAQs
What EMS continuing education does Illinois accept?
Illinois accepts CAPCE-accredited EMS continuing education from approved providers. NREMT path courses follow the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) structure. State path courses must comply with the 20% per-category cap.
Does Illinois require NREMT certification?
No, but maintaining NREMT is the simplest path to Illinois EMS recertification. The state path requires more hours and has category distribution rules that the NREMT path doesn’t have.
How many CE hours do I need for Illinois recertification?
NREMT path: 40 hours for EMT, 50 hours for AEMT, 60 hours for Paramedic. State path: 60 hours for EMT, 80 hours for AEMT, 100 hours for Paramedic, with no more than 20% of total hours from any single category.
What is the 20% per-category cap?
Illinois state path requires that no more than 20% of your total CE hours come from a single category. For a Paramedic completing 100 hours, that means a maximum of 20 hours in any single category like Cardiology, Trauma, etc.
What’s the Illinois Alzheimer’s and dementia requirement?
Illinois requires every EMS provider to complete at least one hour of CE training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias each license renewal period. This applies to all Illinois EMS providers. CE Solutions is currently developing an Alzheimer’s and Dementia course to satisfy this requirement.
Where do I submit my Illinois EMS renewal?
Illinois EMS renewals are processed through the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of EMS and Highway Safety. Contact them directly for application instructions, status questions, or licensure inquiries.
