Illinois Nurse Licensing Guide

Approximately 2-4 weeks upon receipt of all required documents.

No set timeline. The Board provides temporary licenses on a case-by-case basis if determined necessary by the board.

Renewal cadence: May 31st of even numbered years. If you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to your renewal window, you are still required to renew your license and begin the 2-year renewal cycle.
Renewal fee: $40
Required contact hours: 20 hours. See additional information here.
- If this is your first time renewing your IL RN license you do not need to complete the continuing education requirements.
CE hours used to satisfy the CE requirements of another jurisdiction may be applied to fulfill the CE requirements of the State of Illinois.

You have 3 years from the date your application is received to complete the application process. If the process is not completed by then, your application will be denied and the fee forfeited.
Keep your fingerprint receipt until your license has been issued. The IDFPR may request it if any issues in the fingerprinting process arise.
Each licensee is responsible for maintaining records of completion of continuing education and shall be prepared to produce the records if requested by the Department.
eNLC legislation is currently pending, but Illinois currently is not a compact state.
View the state of Illinois; nursing FAQs here.
All documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by an original, notarized translation that has been transcribed by a person other than the applicant who is fluent in both English and the language of the documents.

Create an account and then complete the application for Licensure by Endorsement online and pay the fee. The process is the same for RNs and LPNs. View the RN checklist here and the LPN checklist here.
Provide a valid United States Social Security Number or submit the SSN Affidavit form.
Submit name change information on this form (if applicable).
Provide photocopies of all active nursing licenses and/or temporary licenses from other jurisdictions.
Provide official, notarized transcripts from your nursing school. You can open them yourself and upload a copy, your nursing school does not need to send them directly to the Illinois Board of Nursing.
Request verification of licensure via Nursys from your original state of licensure and all other states where you hold a related or unrelated professional license. If these states do not participate in Nursys, you will need to contact that state's BON and request verification be sent to the Illinois BON.
Provide a background check with fingerprints by following these steps.

‍Click here for a list of authorized fingerprint providers.
Applicants fingerprinted in Illinois are no longer required to submit a physical copy of their live scan receipt as a part of their initial license application. Instead, they will be required to enter their 16-digit Transaction Control Number (TCN) found on the fingerprint receipt issued by their licensed fingerprint vendor.
Applicants should maintain a copy of this fingerprint receipt until their license has been issued, as the Department may request a copy of it if any issues in the fingerprinting process arise during the application process.

Provide all personal history information, including criminal history, felony convictions, dishonorable discharge from military service, disease or conditions that may interfere with professional work, denial of a prior professional license, failure to comply with a child support order, defaulting on a student loan, or defaulting on taxes.
Provide Education Form (ED-NUR) signed by the Dean or Director of your nursing program with the school seal affixed.

If you wish to be issued a provisional license, please indicate this on your application.
The temporary license is valid for 6 months.
The Illinois Board of Nursing does not break out different processes for obtaining a temporary license vs a permanent. The Board recommends you complete all the required steps and they will decide if a temporary license is needed. Usually, if they are awaiting the results of your background check one will be issued.