Illinois PE Continuing Education Requirements
Table of Contents
Licensed Professional Engineers in Illinois must complete continuing education to maintain their professional credentials and stay current with industry standards. Illinois professional engineers are required to earn 30 PDH biennially, with specific requirements established by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
The Illinois PE renewal requirements are designed to ensure that practicing engineers maintain competency in technical skills, professional ethics, and state regulations. Whether you’re approaching your first license renewal or are a seasoned professional, understanding these Illinois professional engineer license continuing education requirements is essential for maintaining your active license status.
PDH-Pro offers a comprehensive selection of state-approved courses specifically designed to meet Illinois PE license renewal requirements. Our courses are written by subject matter experts and regularly updated to align with current IDFPR standards and engineering board requirements.
Listed below are the Illinois professional engineer (PE) license renewal requirements.
| No of PDH hours required | 30 PDH | |
| Renewal period | November 30th of odd numbered years | |
| Provider approval | The Board does not pre-approve course providers | |
| Course content approval | No specific guidance or restrictions on course content are provided by the Board. For Professional Engineers, the course must “contribute to the advancement, extension or enhancement of the professional skills and/or scientific knowledge of the licensee in practice of professional engineering” and “foster the enhancement of general or specialized practice and values of professional engineering, related sciences and engineering ethics.” For Structural Engineers, the course must “contribute to the advancement, extension or enhancement of the professional skills and scientific knowledge of the licensee in practice of structural engineering” and “foster the enhancement of general or specialized practice and values of structural engineering.” | |
| Maximum PDH hours to carry over | 15 PDH | |
| Online courses | No limit on online courses. For meeting the continuing professional competency requirements through online courses, the course must require the participant to show evidence of completion. PDH-Pro courses meet this requirement by providing a certificate of completion after participant passes a quiz. | |
| State Board Website | https://www.idfpr.com/profs/ProfEngineer.asp |
We prepared a detailed summary and review of the Illinois continuing education requirements (read the article).
Courses You May Be Interested In
Packages for Illinois Professional Engineers
Complete continuing education packages built specifically for engineers registered in the State of Illinois. Designed to fulfill the entire continuing education requirement.
llinois Rules Laws and Ethics for Engineers
This course provides an overview of the rules and regulations for practicing engineering in the state of Illinois. It also highlights the professional and ethical responsibilities.
Illinois PE Renewal Requirements and Deadlines
Professional Engineers in Illinois must renew their licenses on a biennial cycle during odd-numbered years. The renewal deadline is November 30th of each odd year, meaning licenses expire on that date if not renewed in time.
Key renewal timeline information:
- Renewal Cycle: Every two years (biennial)
- Renewal Years: Odd-numbered years only
- Deadline: November 30th of the renewal year
- License Expiration: Licenses expire on November 30th if not renewed
Engineers must complete their Illinois PE renewal requirements during the 24-month period preceding their license expiration date. First-time renewals may have different requirements, so new licensees should verify their specific obligations with the IDFPR.
To renew your Illinois PE license, you’ll need to submit your renewal application through the IDFPR’s online licensing system, pay the required fees, and certify that you’ve completed all continuing education requirements. The board may conduct random audits to verify PDH completion.
Required Engineering PDH Credits in Illinois
Illinois requires 30 PDH credits to be completed in the preceding 24 months for license renewal. These Illinois PE PDH requirements are divided into core requirements and elective hours to ensure engineers receive both mandatory training and technical education relevant to their practice.
Core Illinois PDH Requirements
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation mandates specific training areas that all Professional Engineers must complete:
Ethics and Professional Conduct (1 hour required) All Illinois engineers must complete at least one hour of training focused on professional ethics and conduct. This training covers ethical decision-making, professional responsibility, and the engineer’s obligations to public safety and welfare.
Illinois Statutes and Rules (1 hour required) Engineers must complete one hour of training on Illinois engineering statutes and rules. This covers state-specific regulations, licensing requirements, and legal obligations for practicing engineers in Illinois.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (1 hour required) For license renewals occurring on or after January 1, 2020, the required continuing education hours shall include at least one hour of sexual harassment prevention training. This requirement applies to both Professional Engineers and Structural Engineers as part of Illinois’ broader workplace safety initiatives.
Elective Illinois PE PDH Hours
The remaining 27 PDH hours may be earned through:
- Technical courses related to your engineering discipline
- Management and leadership training
- Additional ethics courses beyond the minimum requirement
- Professional development programs
- Engineering software training
- Industry-specific continuing education
Carryover Rules
Illinois allows engineers to carry forward up to 15 PDH hours from the previous renewal period. This flexibility helps engineers who complete more than the required 30 hours maintain their credits for the next cycle. However, carryover credits cannot be used to satisfy the specific core requirements for ethics, Illinois statutes, or sexual harassment prevention training.
Accepted Continuing Education Activities
The Illinois engineering board accepts various forms of continuing education activities to help engineers meet their Illinois PE renewal requirements. Understanding what qualifies and what doesn’t can help you plan your professional development effectively.
Approved Activities
Formal Courses and Seminars
- University courses related to engineering practice
- Professional society seminars and workshops
- Industry conferences and technical presentations
- Online continuing education courses from approved providers
- Live webinars with interactive components
- On-demand recorded webinars and courses
Self-Study and Research
- Professional publication authoring
- Patent development activities
- Structured self-study programs with assessment components
- Teaching engineering courses (limited credit available)
Professional Development
- Management and leadership training
- Business skills development for engineers
- Software training relevant to engineering practice
- Safety training programs
PDH Limitations and Restrictions
A maximum of 12 PD hours may be earned within a 24-hour period, where a period begins at midnight. This rule prevents engineers from completing all their requirements in a single intensive session and encourages continuous learning throughout the renewal period.
Free and Low-Cost Options
Engineers seeking budget-friendly options for meeting their Illinois professional engineer license continuing education requirements have several choices:
- Professional society webinars (often free for members)
- Government agency training programs
- University extension programs
- Industry association educational events
- Some online providers offer free introductory courses
However, engineers should verify that any free or low-cost options meet IDFPR approval requirements before relying on them for license renewal credit.
Pre-Approval Requirements
Most continuing education activities from established providers do not require pre-approval. However, if you’re unsure whether a specific course or activity will qualify, you can request pre-approval from the IDFPR. This is particularly important for:
- Unusual or non-traditional learning activities
- Courses from new or unestablished providers
- Self-study programs without formal assessment components
- International continuing education programs
Record Keeping Requirements for Illinois Engineers
Maintaining accurate records of your continuing education activities is crucial for license renewal and potential board audits. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has specific requirements for PDH documentation that all Professional Engineers must follow.
Record Retention Period
Engineers must retain their PDH records for a minimum of six years from the date of license renewal. This extended retention period ensures that documentation is available for potential audits well beyond the current renewal cycle.
Required Documentation Elements
Your continuing education records must include:
- Course title and description
- Provider name and contact information
- Date of completion
- Number of PDH hours earned
- Certificate of completion or other proof of attendance
- Method of instruction (online, live, self-study)
- Course content verification for core requirements
Audit Process and Compliance
The IDFPR conducts random audits of Professional Engineers to verify continuing education compliance. If selected for audit, you must provide complete documentation within the specified timeframe. Failure to provide adequate records or evidence of non-compliance can result in:
- License suspension or revocation
- Monetary penalties
- Additional continuing education requirements
- Professional disciplinary action
Best Practices for Record Keeping
- Maintain digital copies of all certificates and course materials
- Create a dedicated file system for organizing PDH documentation
- Record completion details immediately after finishing each course
- Verify that core requirement courses clearly identify their qualifying content
- Keep provider contact information for verification purposes
Why Choose PDH-Pro for Your Illinois PE Renewal Requirements
PDH-Pro specializes in providing high-quality continuing education specifically designed for Illinois Professional Engineers. Our Illinois PE Renewal Course Bundle (30 PDH) includes all required core training plus elective technical courses to meet your complete biennial requirements.
Illinois-Specific Advantages:
- All three core requirements are included in our packages
- Courses specifically approved for Illinois PE renewal
- Immediate access to course materials and certificates
- Expert customer support for Illinois licensing questions
- 100% money-back guarantee for course acceptance
Streamlined Process:
- Complete all 30 PDH requirements online
- Self-paced learning fits your schedule
- Instant certificate generation upon course completion
- Automated record-keeping assistance
- Mobile-friendly platform for learning on the go
Our Illinois-approved courses meet all IDFPR standards and are regularly updated to reflect current regulations and industry best practices. Whether you need to fulfill your ethics requirement, complete sexual harassment prevention training, or earn technical PDH credits, PDH-Pro provides a comprehensive solution for your Illinois PE license renewal needs.
Don’t wait until the November 30th deadline approaches. Start earning your Illinois PE PDH requirements today with PDH-Pro’s proven, state-approved continuing education courses. Our automated system makes it easy to track your progress and ensure you meet all requirements for successful license renewal.