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Illinois (IL)

Illinois Medical License Renewal, 2026

Triennial (3 years) renewal through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation. All Physician and Surgeon licenses expire July 31 every third year, statewide. Verified from the board's own pages, August 2026.

Renew at the IL board portal →
Quick Facts: Illinois Medical License Renewal
Medical Board Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation
Renewal Cycle Triennial (3 years)
CME Hours Required 150 hours
Renewal Fee $543 for the 3-year renewal if the licensee has held the Illinois Physician and Surgeon license for more than 365 days as of the application signature date; $181 if held for 365 days or fewer (first renewal shortly after initial licensure). Same license type and fees for MD and DO. Source: IDFPR 2026 Physicians Batch Renewal Form IL486-2611 (4/26).
Processing Time Online renewals: allow 2 to 4 business days for the license to post in IDFPR systems and the status to update (idfpr.illinois.gov/ori.html and the physicians page). Licensees print their own license via the Department's Print My License tool.
Renewal Due July 31, every 3rd year

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i Deadlines, fees, and what happens if you are late

When it is due
Fixed date: all Physician and Surgeon licenses expire July 31 every third year (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1285.120: "every license issued under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 shall expire on July 31, 1990, and every third year thereafter", so 2026, 2029, 2032). One-time exception: the 2026 renewal deadline was extended to August 31, 2026 by an IDFPR variance dated 7-20-2026, due to the Department's transition to new data and operating systems.
Fee
$543 for the 3-year renewal if the licensee has held the Illinois Physician and Surgeon license for more than 365 days as of the application signature date; $181 if held for 365 days or fewer (first renewal shortly after initial licensure). Same license type and fees for MD and DO. Source: IDFPR 2026 Physicians Batch Renewal Form IL486-2611 (4/26).
If you miss the deadline
225 ILCS 60/21: the license may still be renewed within 90 days after expiration by meeting renewal requirements and paying an additional fee, and that renewal is retroactive to the expiration date; the license is not deemed lapsed until 90 days after expiration and after the Department has attempted notice. After lapse, reinstatement is required per 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1285.130: if expired or not renewed 3 years or less, pay all lapsed renewal fees, submit a completed physician profile, and show 150 hours CME; if more than 3 years, submit an application with fee, physician profile, 150 CME hours, plus evidence of competency (active practice in another jurisdiction, recent postgraduate training, or passing USMLE Step 3, SPEX, or COMVEX-USA within 3 years, among options), and IDFPR may require an oral interview before the Medical Licensing Board. IDFPR asks lapsed physicians to request a reinstatement application through the form at idfpr.illinois.gov/dpr/reactivate-your-license.html; responses come within 5 business days by email.
Processing time
Online renewals: allow 2 to 4 business days for the license to post in IDFPR systems and the status to update (idfpr.illinois.gov/ori.html and the physicians page). Licensees print their own license via the Department's Print My License tool.

1 Step-by-Step: Renewing Your Illinois Medical License

Follow these steps to renew your medical license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation:

  1. Complete your CME for the cycle (150 hours) (see details below)
  2. Log in to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation renewal portal
  3. Complete the renewal application and answer the attestation questions
  4. Pay the renewal fee ($543 for the 3-year renewal if the licensee has held the Illinois Physician and Surgeon license for more than 365 days as of the application signature date; $181 if held for 365 days or fewer (first renewal shortly after initial licensure))
  5. Submit and save your confirmation

2 Illinois CME Requirements

150 hours per 3-year cycle.

Tracking your CME across multiple states is one of the most time-consuming parts of credential management. CredentialDOMD automatically monitors your CME progress and alerts you when you're falling behind, so you never miss a requirement.

3 Common Pitfalls to Avoid

These are the mistakes Illinois physicians most commonly make during renewal:

Track your Illinois license, CME, and DEA in one place

The reminder email above covers this renewal. The app goes further: it watches your IL renewal window, counts your CME hours against the requirement, and tracks your DEA registration alongside your license. Built by a practicing neurosurgeon who uses it daily. Free during beta.

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4 Frequently Asked Questions

When does my Illinois physician license expire? ▾
All Illinois Physician and Surgeon licenses (MD and DO share the same license type) expire on July 31 every third year: 2026, 2029, 2032. For the 2026 cycle only, IDFPR granted a variance extending the renewal completion deadline to August 31, 2026, because of its transition to a new operating system.
How much does renewal cost? ▾
$543 for the 3-year renewal if you have held your Illinois license for more than 365 days as of the application signature date. If you have held it 365 days or fewer, the fee is $181. Verify your issuance date with IDFPR's License Lookup if unsure.
Where do I renew? ▾
Online through IDFPR's portal at https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/. New users must first complete the online user registration. Some employed physicians renew instead through their hospital's paper batch renewal process; if your employer submits a batch renewal, do not also renew online.
What happens if I miss the deadline? ▾
Under 225 ILCS 60/21 you can still renew within 90 days after expiration by meeting the renewal requirements and paying an additional fee, and the renewal is retroactive to the expiration date. The license is not deemed lapsed until 90 days after expiration. After that, you must request a reinstatement application from IDFPR, pay lapsed renewal fees, and document 150 hours of CME; if lapsed more than 3 years you must also show competency evidence and may face an oral interview before the Medical Licensing Board.
Do I have to submit CME certificates with my renewal? ▾
No. Renewal is an attestation that you have complied with the 150-hour triennial CME requirement (at least 60 hours Category 1). CME is not required for the first renewal of the license, and the renewal form instructs first-time renewers to answer Yes to the CE question. Keep your certificates in case of audit.
How long after renewing until my license shows active? ▾
IDFPR says to allow 2 to 4 business days for the renewal to post and your license status to update. You then print your own license through the Department's Print My License tool.

Medical License Renewal in Nearby States

CA California License Renewal TX Texas License Renewal FL Florida License Renewal NY New York License Renewal

✓ Where this comes from

Double-checked against a second official source, August 2026. These are the primary sources we read:

Boards change fees and rules; always confirm on the board page before you pay. Report anything out of date to [email protected].

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