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Illinois medical license renewal
Every Illinois physician and surgeon license (MD and DO) expires on the same date: July 31, every third year. The 2026 deadline was extended to August 31, 2026, so the next statewide renewal is July 31, 2029. Here is what renewal involves, from IDFPR's own pages and forms.
At a glance
| Item | Illinois (MD and DO) |
|---|---|
| Renews | Every 3 years, on July 31 for everyone (2026 deadline extended to August 31, 2026; next July 31, 2029) |
| Renewal fee | $543 if licensed more than a year; $181 if licensed a year or less |
| Where to renew | IDFPR online renewal |
| CME | 150 / 3 years (min 60 Category 1). Full Illinois CME rules |
| CME reporting | Attest to your CE at renewal; IDFPR reviews CE. No CE is required at your first renewal. |
| Late or expired | After the renewal period closes the license must be reinstated through IDFPR, not renewed. |
Checked against the board’s own pages on October 28, 2026. Fees and windows change; confirm on the board’s site before you pay.
How to renew, step by step
- Complete your CME for the 3-year cycle, plus the Illinois-required trainings. See Illinois CME requirements.
- Renew through IDFPR's Renew My License page before the deadline. IDFPR is moving between two online systems; its physician page lists both.
- Answer the attestations: CE compliance, child support, state tax and workers' compensation status, and the disciplinary and health questions.
- Renew your Illinois physician controlled substance license, which expires on the same July 31 cycle.
- Pay the renewal fee and confirm the new expiration date on IDFPR's license lookup.
What renewal asks for besides CME
- 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training every renewal.
- 1 hour of implicit bias training every renewal. From July 1, 2026, physicians who provide maternal health care need training that covers maternal health risk factors for marginalized racial and ethnic groups.
- 1 hour of Alzheimer's and dementia training (if you care for adults 26 or older) and 1 hour of cultural competency, each before the first renewal on or after January 1, 2025, then every 6 years.
- Mandated reporter: an attestation at each renewal, and training every 6 years if you work with children.
- A separate Illinois controlled substance license to prescribe, store or dispense in Illinois. It is required before DEA registration, its address must match your DEA address, and it renews on the same July 31 cycle.
Licenses from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
The IMLC Commission says renewals are submitted and paid through its site ($25 plus the state fee), and each board verifies them. It noted the 2026 Illinois extension to August 31, 2026 with no late fee. IDFPR's pages do not add Compact-specific steps.
Common questions
When do Illinois medical licenses expire?
Every Illinois physician and surgeon license expires on July 31 every third year. The 2026 deadline was extended to August 31, 2026, and the next renewal date is July 31, 2029.
How much does it cost to renew an Illinois medical license?
$543 if you have been licensed for more than a year, or $181 if licensed for a year or less.
Do I need a separate Illinois controlled substance license?
Yes, to prescribe, store or dispense controlled substances in Illinois. It is a prerequisite for DEA registration and renews on the same July 31 cycle as the physician license.
What happens if my Illinois license expires?
After the renewal period closes you must reinstate the license through IDFPR before you can practice again.
Never miss a Illinois renewal
The Interstate Medicine Ledger tracks your Illinois license, DEA and other registrations, and counts every CME certificate against Illinois’s rules and every other state you hold. $60 a year ($5 a month), 30 days free.
Related: Illinois CME requirements · License renewal beyond CME, by state · DEA registration renewal · State controlled-substance registration
Sources
Educational information for physicians (MD and DO), not legal advice. Interstate Medicine is not affiliated with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission or any licensing board.