This explainer covers Illinois only, where the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and its Division of Real Estate handle home inspector license renewal and continuing education. It answers one practical question from IDFPR's own documents and the Illinois rule they rest on: how much continuing education (CE) does an Illinois home inspector need to renew in 2026, and how is it reported? Nothing here describes a rule change, and nothing here applies to any other state.
When is the 2026 Illinois renewal deadline?
IDFPR's Continuing Education Fact Sheet for 2026 Home Inspector License Renewal states: "The 2026 Home Inspector Renewal deadline is November 30, 2026." The fact sheet also tells licensees to complete the required courses before they renew.
How many CE hours does the Illinois rule require?
The Illinois Administrative Code sets the requirement. Section 1410.160, Continuing Education Requirements, says a licensed home inspector who applies for renewal "shall successfully complete a total of 12 hours of approved continuing education (CE) during each 2 year renewal cycle."
The same section adds: "Continuing education must consist of a minimum of 8 hours of mandatory courses, as defined by Subpart F." This post does not list the topics of those mandatory courses; Subpart F of the rule defines them. The rule section itself lists no exemption; the exemption for newly licensed inspectors described below comes from IDFPR's 2026 fact sheet.
Who must complete CE for the 2026 renewal?
IDFPR's 2026 fact sheet splits licensees into two groups by the date they were first licensed.
- First licensed on or before August 31, 2026. Under the heading "If the home inspector was first licensed on or before August 31, 2026:", the fact sheet states: "12 hours of CE is required, of which 8 hours must be approved as Mandatory, and a Sexual Harassment Prevention Training".
- First licensed on or after September 1, 2026. Under the heading "If the home inspector was first licensed on or after September 1, 2026:", the fact sheet states: "No CE is required." It adds: "A license issued on or after this date will have an expiration date of 11/30/2028."
On the harassment training, the fact sheet says "The Sexual Harassment Prevention Training may be counted towards elective hours" when it is completed through an approved education provider.
Which courses count?
The fact sheet is direct about providers: "CE must be obtained through an IDFPR licensed Home Inspector Education Provider." It continues: "The CE course must also have a current license." The fact sheet links to IDFPR's list of approved providers.
Two kinds of hours are treated differently:
- Disciplinary CE. The fact sheet notes: "CE taken for disciplinary purposes may not be used toward your CE renewal requirements."
- Courses taken in another state. IDFPR's Request for Out-of-State Continuing Education Credit Approval form is for licensees who earned CE in another state or jurisdiction and want Illinois credit. The form says the Division "may review and recommend approval or disapproval of the CE course provided the course is substantially equivalent to those approved in Illinois." The licensee submits the form after completing the course and before the license expires, with a copy of the course transcript or completion certificate, a course description with a timed outline, an explanation of the delivery method, an explanation of whether a proctored final exam was taken and the score, and a non-refundable per-course fee. The form also states: "OUT OF STATE COURSES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SATISFY HOME INSPECTOR PRE-LICENSE COURSE REQUIREMENTS"
How is CE reported on the renewal?
The licensee certifies it. IDFPR's fact sheet states: "Each renewal applicant shall certify on the renewal application to full compliance with the CE requirements." Licensees who are exempt from CE are told to indicate on the renewal application that they have complied.
The fact sheet points licensees to IDFPR's CE Lookup to see completed courses. If a course does not show there within 45 days of completion, the fact sheet tells the licensee to contact the education provider to confirm that all course requirements, such as proctored exams, were met.
Should you keep your CE records?
Yes, or be able to produce them. The fact sheet states: "The Department may require additional evidence demonstrating compliance with the CE requirements." It also says: "It is the responsibility of each renewal applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of such compliance upon request."
Where to check before you act
These are the requirements as shown in IDFPR's documents and the Illinois Administrative Code when checked on November 15, 2026. IDFPR and the Illinois Administrative Code are the authority, so confirm the current requirements there before you enroll in a course or renew. For the federal side of home inspection work, see the goraedu home inspector hub, which covers the federal lead disclosure rule and EPA radon guidance. For the status of every topic on goraedu, see all certifications.
goraedu is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or any government agency.