A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in Illinois

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Illinois

Living in Illinois offers many advantages. The state’s strong economy is a magnet for industries and innovators, and residents enjoy great culture, great sports teams, an amazing infrastructure, and easy access to one of the world’s biggest transportation hubs and best medical centers.

In this article, we will cover:

• How to get your Illinois nursing license by exam
• How to get your license by endorsement
• How to renew your Illinois nursing license
• Licensing fees
• Continuing education requirements
• How to contact the Illinois Board of Nursing

How to get your Illinois nursing license by examination

Step 1: Education

There are multiple paths to becoming a registered nurse in the state of Illinois. Whether you pursue a two-year Associate’s degree, a four-year baccalaureate program, or opt to become a nurse after earning your bachelor’s in another area of study, your nursing degree is the foundation on which the rest of your career is built.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.

Step 2: Apply

The application process for an Illinois registered nursing license begins with visiting the Continental Testing website, selecting State of Illinois Examinations, and then selecting the Registered Professional Nurse (RN) link under the heading of IL Division of Professional Regulation. Once on the nursing page, you can click on Apply for Exam. 

All registration fees are currently waived.

You also must register to take the NCLEX exam and pay the registration fee of $200. You can do this online at Pearson VUE or by phone at 1-866-496-2539.

Step 3: Submit Transcripts

If you attended an Illinois-based nursing program, your school can either submit an official student roster, an official transcript, or Nurse Education Form ED-NUR. If using ED-NUR, you must fill out the top portion of the form and your nursing program administrators need to complete the rest of the information and return it to you.

Out-of-state applicants must submit Nurse Education Form ED-NUR or submit an official transcript to the Board of Nursing to:

Continental Testing Services Inc.
547 South LaGrange Road
P.O. Box 100
LaGrange, IL 60525-0100

Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)

Illinois requires that all applicants for a registered nurse license provide proof of fingerprinting by a licensed Illinois Live Scan fingerprint vendor. 

If you are out of state you must complete and submit form OOS-FP showing submission of fingerprints to an Illinois-licensed Live Scan vendor who will ensure electronic transmission of the Fee Applicant fingerprint card. 

The completed form and receipt are only valid for 60 days. 

Step 5: Take the NCLEX

Once you have completed all of your application requirements, CTS will notify Pearson VUE and they will email you an Authorization to Test for the NCLEX-RN exam. This authorization is only valid for 90 days.

This standardized national test will gauge your retention of the material covered during your nursing education, including:

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Management of Care  
• Safety and Infection Control 
• Health Promotion and Maintenance 
• Psychosocial Integrity 
• Physiological Integrity 
• Basic Care and Comfort 
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 
• Physiological Adaptation 

Once you’ve taken the exam, your official results will be released within 7-10 days. The Official Results Letter will contain instructions on how to apply for licensure. This requires applying to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You cannot apply for licensure with IDFPR until you have received your Official Results Letter from CTS. 

If you do not pass the NCLEX, you can apply online with CTS to retake the exam and pay the application fee again. You do not have to resubmit the ED-NUR or fingerprint information if your retake is within the three-year application period. You must also register with Pearson VUE again, pay their registration fee, and wait to receive an Authorization to Test. You can take the NCLEX examination once every 46 days.

Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)

Registered nurses who hold licenses in another U.S. state can switch their license to Illinois by applying for licensure by endorsement. This process begins with completing an application through the state’s online portal. The application asks for personal information including date and place of birth, Social Security number, and other demographic information. Licensing fees are currently waived in Illinois.

Other requirements include:

• Record of all other related or non-related professional licenses held in Illinois or another state(s). If your previous licenses were held in NURSYS-participating states, request that verification be sent to Illinois through that system. Contact the Board of Nursing for any states that do not participate with NURSYS and ask them to send you verification to be submitted through the portal.
• Education Form (ED-NUR) signed by the Dean or Director of your nursing program with the school seal affixed, as well as a copy of your official transcripts with the school seal affixed.  
• Proof of fingerprinting by a licensed Illinois Live Scan fingerprint vendor. 
  • If you are out of state, you must complete and submit form OOS-FP showing submission of fingerprints to an Illinois-licensed Live Scan vendor who will ensure electronic transmission of the Fee Applicant fingerprint card. 
  • The completed form and receipt are only valid for 60 days. 
  • Keep the fingerprint Transaction Control Number (TCN) from your fingerprint receipt. This number is 16 characters long and can be found on the receipt provided by your fingerprint vendor. Please keep your fingerprint receipt until your license has been issued. The IDFPR may request it if any issues in the fingerprinting process arise. 
• Temporary Nursing Permit form (if applicable)

How to renew your Illinois nursing license

Step 1: When to submit your renewal application

Illinois’s registered nursing licenses expire on May 31 of each even-numbered year. You can renew your license during the month preceding the expiration date by visiting the IDFPR website during the renewal period and paying the required fee. If you are not in the renewal period for registered nurses, no application link will appear on the site.

Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements

Illinois requires registered nurses to complete 20 hours of continuing education during each licensing period.  

Incredible Health offers free, easy-to-access Illinois continuing education units to help you meet your continuing competency requirements. Once completed, the site provides a certificate of completion for your records. 

Step 3: Submit your renewal application

Once you are in your renewal period, go to the IDFPR website, locate the link to Registered Nurse renewals, and submit your application. Renewal fees are currently waived.

Illinois nursing licensing fees

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Illinois whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Illinois from another state. For more information visit the Illinois licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX fee: $200
• Application fee: $91

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $50

License renewal fee:

• Application fee: $80

Illinois legislation is pending for becoming a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses. Check the NCSBN website to stay updated.

*Fees are subject to change.
**Most states require a background check, but prices are not always listed.

Continuing education requirements

RN/LPN: 20 contact hours every 2 years, one of them must be a sexual harassment prevention training course.

APRN: 80 contact hours every 2 years, one of them must be a sexual harassment prevention training course.

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Illinois Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.

How to contact the Illinois Board of Nursing

Illinois Board of Nursing
Phone: (888) 473-4858

Website: https://www.idfpr.com/profs/nursing.asp

Physical address (Chicago):
555 West Monroe., 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661

Physical address (Springfield):
320 W. Washington, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786

Mailing address:

IDFPR/Nursing Unit
320 W. Washington St., 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786

More Illinois Resources

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• Best nursing schools in the state
• Average salary for RNs in the state