ILLINOIS NURSE (RN) PROFESSIONAL LICENSING GUIDE

1. How the Profession Is Organized in Illinois

2. Eligibility for Licensing
3. Tests
4. Time and Costs
5. Other Careers and Credentials
6. Beyond Licensing
7. Important Links
8. Tips
1. HOW THE PROFESSION IS ORGANIZED IN ILLINOIS
REGULATION OF THE NURSING PROFESSION
Nursing in Illinois is regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional
Regulation (IDFPR) and its Division of Professional Regulation. IDFPR manages 3 types of
nursing licenses related to increasing degrees of education, examination and experience:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN);
Registered Professional Nurse (RN); and
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
The guide assumes that you hold the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor of Science in Nursing, so the
most appropriate license type for you is a Registered Nurse (RN). It also assumes that your
Illinois license will be your first U.S. nursing license. You will become an RN through Licensure
by Examination. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers the
National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is required for licensing as an
RN in Illinois.
REGISTERED NURSES (RNS) AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
In the U.S., the term RN includes professionals with a variety of education levels but with certain
skill sets in common. Most people become RNs after participating in one of two types of
educational programs:
An Associates Degree of Nursing or ADN (2 years of study, typically in a community college)
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing or BSN (a 4-year university degree)
Usually, a higher level of education corresponds to greater responsibility, specialization, and
advancement opportunities in the workplace. Many RNs later go on to receive masters or
doctoral degrees in nursing and pursue careers as APNs or in healthcare management, consulting,
research, or education roles.
THE JOB MARKET FOR NURSING IN ILLINOIS
Nursing is a growing field in the U.S., due to factors such as the aging U.S. population, nurse
attrition (choosing to leave the job), and the increasing complexity of nursing practice. The state
of Illinois Nursing Center reports that by 2020 there will be a nursing shortage of over 21,000
nurses in Illinois.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that from 2010 to 2020, the fastest growing jobs for RNs

will be employment in physician's offices, home health care, and outpatient care facilities. The
highest average earnings are paid to nurses working in private industry ($66,650), physicians
offices ($62,880), hospitals ($62,690), and home health care ($60,690), and housing care
facilities ($58,180).
THE JOB SEARCH
Qualified RNs are in high demand and employers will compete for their skills. Bilingual and
bicultural nurses can be even more attractive to employers who serve diverse communities.
Because of this demand, even part-time employment can include attractive benefits such as
health insurance, childcare, and tuition fees for continued education.
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2. ELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSING
OVERVIEW
Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) need to meet several requirements to receive Licensure
by Examination as a RN in Illinois.
Steps to licensing are as follows:
IL_Nurse.png
I. EVALUATE YOUR FOREIGN DEGREE AND FOREIGN LICENSE WITH AN
APPROVED CREDENTIALING ORGANIZATION AND RECEIVE A CREDENTIAL
EVALUATION SERVICE REPORT
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation allows you to have your
foreign nursing degree evaluated by one of two organizations: the Commission on Graduates of
Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) or the Education Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES).
We recommend CGFNS for its long-established service, web access by regulation officials, and
fast turnaround times.
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) instructs you on the steps
necessary to evaluate your foreign degree and licensure. Here are the steps:
Apply for evaluation by either registering online or downloading an application form and
sending it by mail
Request the "Healthcare Profession & Science Report" (cost: $335 in 2012). Make sure that you
ask for your report to be prepared for the Illinois Board of Nursing - this will make your record
available to the State electronically
Use CGFNS forms to send requests for official academic records and licensing confirmation to
the educational institution(s) you attended and your country's nursing regulation agency. These
records must be delivered from the institutions directly to CGFNS - you cannot handle them
yourself
Provide translations for any documents not in English. This is most often done through your
foreign school(s) or licensing agency. You will need to research how to do this and what you will
be charged by these institutions
Your report is active for 12 months; renewing access to it for another 12 months costs $200 for

the Healthcare Profession & Science Report and $250 for the Full Education Course-by-Course
Report
You must show proof that you graduated from high school (a photocopy of a high school
diploma or exit exam will work). You must submit this directly with your application,
accompanied by a translation and special translator statement
CGFNS will evaluate your education and licensing to see if it is comparable to the minimum
standards for an Illinois Registered Nurse program. This includes standards for coursework and
clinical experience in five areas of nursing practice:
Adult medical nursing
Adult surgical nursing
Obstetrics (maternal and infant health)
Pediatrics (care of children)
Psychiatric or mental health nursing
After evaluation, CGFNS will decide either that:
Your degree is comparable except for a missing clinical component in one of the five areas of
nursing OR that
Your degree is not found as comparable
In the first case, you will need to have your training pre-approved by IDFPR and choose a school
or other training provider from a list of approved nursing education programs (the list is
available on the IDFPR website). After completing this clinical requirement and sending
transcripts to IDFPR, you will be able to continue your licensing process
In the second case, you will need to return to school for a degree program to qualify you for
licensure as a Registered Nurse. You should research nursing education programs in your area,
and bring your transcripts and credential evaluation to the program coordinators to see if you can
receive advanced standing for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The quickest route to
becoming an RN may be to earn an Associates Degree of Nursing. However, if you choose this
option you will be settling for a U.S. degree that is not as advanced as your foreign degree, and
you will have to continue studying for a BSN if you want better career opportunities.
If you hold a BSN from another country, your degree might be determined comparable to the
minimum standard required by the State of Illinois. However, sometimes different standards in
nursing practice can affect your degree evaluation, such as male nurses not practicing obstetrical
nursing, or nurse midwives not receiving training in other areas of nursing.
II. GET FINGERPRINTED VIA AN IDFPR-APPROVED VENDOR FOR A CRIMINAL
RECORD CHECK
A list of service providers approved by IDFPR and the Illinois State Police is listed in the
Licensure by Examination application. Costs vary by site. Call to set up an appointment. It is
critical that you save the receipt as proof that you have taken this step: You must include it in the
Licensing by Examination application package you will later send to Continental Testing
Services (CTS).
III. REGISTER ONLINE WITH CONTINENTAL TESTING SERVICES (CTS), SUBMIT

YOUR LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION APPLICATION, REQUIRED SUPPORTING

DOCUMENTS, AND PAY APPLICATION FEE
CTS manages licensing applications for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional
Regulation (IDFPR). You should call the CTS help number for application assistance: (708) 3549911. There are two steps involved:
First, register online and arrange for payment of an $91 application fee (as of 2012)
Mail all required documentation to CTS. Illinois requires notarized translations of any foreignlanguage documents
Your final application package should include:
Four-page Licensure by Examination application from the Illinois Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
CT-NUR forms completed by the licensing agency or board of any jurisdiction(s) in which you
were first licensed, are currently licensed, or have been licensed in the last 5 years
Credential Evaluation Service report (your foreign degree and licensing evaluation)
Receipt from fingerprinting appointment
Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if you are not a native English
speaker and the language of instruction and textbooks in your nursing program was not English
(The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires minimal
scores of 560 on the paper-based test, 220 on the computer-based test and 83 on the Internetbased test)
This application is valid for 3 years. If you have not passed the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX) or met other licensing requirements within these 3 years you will have to
submit a new application and pay the processing fee again.
IV. REGISTER WITH PEARSON VUE FOR THE NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE
EXAMINATION (NCLEX) BY WEB, MAIL OR TELEPHONE
Register with Pearson for the NCLEX at the same time as submitting your application to
Continental Testing Services (CTS). The NCLEX costs $200 (as of 2012).
V. RECEIVE AN APPROVAL LETTER FROM CONTINENTAL TESTING SERVICES (CTS)
AND AUTHORIZATION TO TEST (ATT); SCHEDULE YOUR TESTING APPOINTMENT
WITH THE NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION (NCLEX)
You have only 90 days from receipt of the ATT to take the NCLEX. Set up your appointment
immediately. Instructions are included in the ATT notice.
VI. TAKE AND PASS THE NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION (NCLEX)
AND RECEIVE A PASSAGE LETTER ALLOWING LIMITED PRACTICE FOR 3 MONTHS
WHILE LICENSE IS BEING PROCESSED
Your NCLEX scores should be available to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional
Regulation (IDFPR) within one month after testing. Once you have received a passing grade on
the NCLEX you will receive a letter of passage from IDFPR and your licensure will be issued as
soon as it can be processed, usually within a few months. Your passage letter will give you
details that allow you to practice nursing for up to 3 months pending receipt of Illinois licensure,

provided that you work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or an advanced
practicing nurse.
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3. TESTS
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is the only
examination required in the Illinois Licensure by Examination process.
TEST TECHNOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR
REGISTERED NURSES (NCLEX-RN)
The NCLEX-RN is computer-based test, called a variable length adaptive test. This means that
the test will adjust its difficulty level, content, and number of questions based on your answers.
The test will continue until all content areas are covered in the required proportions, and the
system is 95% certain that your abilities are either above or below the passing standard due to its
analysis of your answers. As a result, you may be asked to answer anywhere from 75 to 265
items. Test takers with either very high or very low abilities tend to have the tests with the fewest
items. You are not allowed to skip any questions, but you should avoid making random guesses,
as this can quickly lower your score. The exam is mostly multiple-choice but other question
types are also included. You will be given a short tutorial that will expose you to the different
question types. You cannot bring reference materials or other testing aids to the exam. An onscreen calculator is provided for some problems.
CONTENT AREAS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR
REGISTERED NURSES (NCLEX-RN)
The content of the NCLEX-RN concentrates on the patient as the focus of care. The current
NCLEX-RN exam (2011 edition) is divided into four categories of Client Needs, some of which
have subcategories. The percentages show the approximate percent of questions each test taker
will receive in the category:
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Coordinated Care (13-19%)
Safety and Infection Control (11-17%)
Health Promotion and Maintenance 7-13%
Psychosocial Integrity 7-13%
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort (9-15%)
Pharmacological Therapies (11-17%)
Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%)
Physiological Adaptation (9-15%)
SCHEDULING AND TESTING SITE PROCEDURES OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR REGISTERED NURSES (NCLEX-RN)
Pearson Vue holds the NCLEX-RN in testing centers across the U.S. and internationally. You can
register information with Pearson and pay for the test ($200), but you cannot schedule the
NCLEX-RN exam until your application for Licensure by Examination has been processed and
you have received an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice. The ATT includes detailed instructions

for choosing a testing center and scheduling a date to take the NCLEX-RN. The ATT is valid for
only 90 days, so you should not delay in scheduling an exam session.
On the day of the test, you must bring the ATT and acceptable identification. You will be
fingerprinted and photographed before your test and will be fingerprinted when you re-enter the
testing area after breaks. You should arrive at least a half hour early; you will not be allowed to
take the test if you arrive more than a half hour late for your appointment. You will have up to six
hours to complete the test, including time scheduled for the computer tutorial and optional
breaks.
FAILING THE NCLEX-RN
If you fail your exam, the Illinois Nursing Board will send you a Candidate Performance Report
which shows the areas that need improvement. You can use the report to learn what areas to
study before you retake the exam. You may take the NCLEX-RN again after waiting 90 days. If
your score is far from passing you should consider additional test preparation or taking refresher
courses so that you can pass in the three-year period after your first application.
PRACTICING FOR THE NCLEX-RN
There are many different resources that can help you prepare for the content and the computerbased testing technology. The Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium offers a variety of test
preparation resources for low cost. Consider investing in test preparation as it may save you
money by not having to pay to retake the test and by entering the job market faster. Please refer
to Important Links for test preparation options.
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4. TIME AND COSTS
Evaluating your foreign degree and achieving licensing as a Registered Professional Nurse in
Illinois depends on many factors. A few of these include:
The completeness of your educational and professional records (the more documentation, the
better)
The efficiency of your home country's system in compiling and transmitting your university
records and verification of licensing
Your performance on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
Your free time and how much money you have to spend
We provide two hypothetical scenarios below to show some of the variety in results that
immigrant professionals may find when they seek to become registered nurses in Illinois. Please
consider these scenarios as two examples out of many possibilities. Your experience will vary.
TWO HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIOS FOR LICENSING AS A REGISTERED NURSE:
Step More Efficient Scenario
Approximate Time and Cost Less Efficient Scenario
Approximate Time and Cost
1
Degree Evaluation

It takes you just 3 months to get your home country documents to a credentialing organization to
complete your degree evaluation
No translation is needed
3 months + $500
Problems with your documents take 6 months to resolve and are expensive since you must pay
others in your country to visit institutions for you
Your documents must be translated
8 months + $1,100
2
Fingerprints
You identify a finger printing provider and make an appointment
1 month + $50
You identify a finger printing provider and make an appointment
1 month + $50
3
Submit Licensure by Examination Application to CTS
You assemble your Licensing by Examination packet relatively quickly
6 months + $100
Your licensing application is incomplete the first time and you must resubmit it
9 months + $100
4
Register with Pearson Vue for NCLEX
You register for the NCLEX at the same as you apply to CTS
You begin a self-study course for the NCLEX for $300
$500
You register for the NCLEX at the same as you apply to CTS
$200
5
Receive Authorization to Test and Schedule NCLEX
You schedule the NCLEX right after receiving the Authorization to Test
You schedule the NCLEX right after receiving the Authorization to Test
6
Take and Pass NCLEX
Your skills are fresh and you've been using a self-study program throughout the process; you
pass the NCLEX on the first try. Your license is received 3 months after you take the exam
5 months
It takes you 2 tries to pass the NCLEX. In between tests, you enroll in a 4-month NCLEX
preparation class for $1,000. Your license is received 3 months after you take the second exam
8 months + $1,200
More Efficient Total
About 1 1/2 years and $1,200 Less Efficient Total
About 2 years and $2,650
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5. OTHER CAREERS AND CREDENTIALS
LOWER-LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES

You may want to consider if taking a lower-level job in healthcare in the short-term can help you
meet longer-term goals of licensing as a registered nurse.
Preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) can take time. Working in
healthcare in a different way and with fewer responsibilities may offer you some advantages,
such as
employers paying for tuition and fees associated with the NCLEX and licensing
more energy to focus on studying
a chance to adapt to the U.S. healthcare system and workplace culture in a lower-pressure
environment
You should be honest with your employer about your long-term plans and be sure that they have
benefits such as tuition reimbursement or schedule flexibility that will support your goals.
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT, CNA
CNAs are also commonly referred to as nurses' aides or orderlies. CNAs have very limited
responsibilities and work under nurse supervision. As a foreign trained nurse, you can become a
CNA fairly easily once you have completed your degree evaluation through either ERES or
CGFNS.You do not need to take a U.S. CNA course if you can provide the following materials to
register for the written competency exam:
A copy of your diploma translated into English
Copy of official transcripts in English, including the number of hours of training you received for
each course
Social Security card
Proof of employment authorization
After you have the necessary materials to register for the CNA exam, you can find an exam site
through Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIU-C). Their website,
www.nurseaidetesting.com, also offers practice materials, a study guide, and test locations. This
exam is basic, but CNA test preparation materials are available to practice. If you fail the email 3
times, you must take a CNA training course in order to be able to register for the exam again.
CNA training programs are short courses that last only 1 or 2 months. They are offered through
many community colleges or larger healthcare facilities in Illinois.
Additionally, you must pass a test and a criminal background check before working as a CNA.
Working as a CNA in the healthcare field will provide you with an opportunity to build a
professional network, gain U.S. experience that is highly relevant to your profession, and
possibly receive tuition reimbursement for relicensing purposes. CNAs typically earn
approximately $12 per hour.
HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER
If you are bilingual and a strong communicator, you may want to research opportunities for work
in hospitals as an interpreter. This type of role is not regulated in Illinois, so standards for
employment as well as pay and benefits may be very different depending on the employer. You
are more likely to have benefits such as tuition reimbursement if you find work as a direct
employee of a healthcare facility, instead of working for a company that provides interpretation

services to hospitals. You may want to begin your research by directly contacting human
resource departments at hospitals.
HIGHER-LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES
After you receive your Registered Nurse license in Illinois you may find you want to continue
your professional development. If you have the equivalent of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing,
you can qualify to train as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE (APN)
The advanced practice nurse is the highest licensure in nursing practice and involves graduate
school education, examination, and licensing processes beyond the level required of Registered
Nurses. APNs in most states are allowed a more independent nursing practice, which includes
diagnosis and treatment of patients and the ability to prescribe medications. In Illinois, APNs
must have a joint agreement with an Illinois licensed physician on record, but direct physician
supervision is not required in order to practice. APNs can choose from specialties in one of 4
recognized practice areas:
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA),
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS),
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), or
Nurse Practitioner (CNP).
A RN who wants to become an APN will find a variety of opportunities for education, including
accelerated degree programs or courses designed for working professionals (e.g. weekend and
evening courses).
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6. BEYOND LICENSING
JOINING A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
State and national associations for nurses provide opportunities for professional development and
networking. They also help set acceptable working conditions for nurses, and give information
and opinions on policy in Illinois and across the U.S. Their websites may offer useful
information to nursing candidates about the licensing and examination process, including test
preparation. They often provide Continuing Education to members as well.
STATE:
Illinois Nurses Association
NATIONAL:
American Nurses Association
Additionally, there is a large variety of professional associations for nurses that cater to specific
disciplines, job type, ethnicity, gender, or religion of registered nurses.
LICENSING MOBILITY (RECIPROCITY)
The state of Illinois does not have any shared agreement to honor the nursing licenses of other
states. It grants licensing to nurses by either examination (the process described in this topic) or
endorsement (where a registered nurse licensed in another state must meet all Illinois

requirements for licensing). Fortunately, since the National Council Licensure Examination
(NCLEX) is accepted by all states, a registered nurse looking to relocate to Illinois will not have
to retake the NCLEX. However, the country is now moving toward increased mobility of nursing
licenses, as the nursing shortage encourages states to attract more qualified professionals. See the
National Resources part of the Important Links section to view the states that are currently
participating in mutual licensing reciprocity for licensed practice nurses and registered nurses;
you can learn more about this Nurse Licensure Compact through the National Council of State
Boards of Nursing.
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7. IMPORTANT LINKS
Common Words used in this article
REGULATION:
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issues licenses for Licensed
Practical Nurses (LPN), Registered Professional Nurses (RN) and Advanced Practice Nurses
(APN). Application packets (both by Examination and Licensing by Endorsement) can be
downloaded on the homepage.
The state of Illinois has established the Illinois Center for Nursing to promote nursing in the
state. It has useful links to education and employment information, as well as professional
associations
TESTING:
Pearson Vue administers the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and gathers
important information and further links regarding the NCLEX
Download the latest NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin as well as a small software
program that offers an online tutorial for the NCLEX computer-based exam interface - this will
familiarize you with the appearance and operation of the interface including the variety of
possible question formats (multiple choice, ordering, fill in the blank)
Continental Testing Service registers candidates and collects licensing applications for the
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), serving as intermediary
between the state, the candidate, and Pearson Vue. Questions about the application process
should be directed to them. Phone: (708) 354-9911 Address: Continental Testing Services Inc.,
P.O. Box 100, LaGrange, Illinois 60525. The online registration can be accessed through clicking
on "Apply for Exam"
CREDENTIALS:
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) in Philadelphia, PA is one
of two credentialing organizations accepted by the State of Illinois for RN licensure. Phone:
(215) 349-8767 ext. 476. Some resource tools include their useful CES Professional page and fee
schedule
The Education Records Evaluation Service, Inc. in Sacramento, CA is the other credentialing
organization accepted by the State of Illinois for RN licensure. Phone: (916) 921-0790
ILLINOIS RESOURCES:
The Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium is a non-profit organization working with foreign
trained nurses to assist in navigating the health care, immigration, and education systems to
secure licensure as registered professional nurses in Illinois. They offer TOEFL classes for

nurses, NCLEX preparation courses, and CPR courses, as well as coaching in the relicensing
process specific to nurses
The Illinois Health Care Worker Registry shows the required steps of licensing as a CNA in
Illinois
NATIONAL RESOURCES:
The National Council on State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) represents member Nursing Boards
for all 50 states. It develops the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). It is also,
coincidentally, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Its website also has an up-to-date map of
states which have formed a Nurse Licensure Compact
National Council on State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Learning Extension is a portal for elearning for nursing that includes test preparation for the National Council Licensure
Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for nursing candidates and continuing
education for practicing nurses at all levels. The NCSBN's Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination v5.4 is an online subscription service that includes extensive NCLEX preparation
resources, including skills assessment to identify knowledge gaps, plus curriculum, test questions
and interactive exercises
The Illinois Nurses Association is the largest nursing association in the state
The American Nurses Association is its national counterpart
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8. TIPS
PROVIDE COMPLETE DOCUMENTS
Nursing foreign degree evaluation services require that your university and licensing authority
send transcripts directly to them. Invest the time and money early to facilitate this process.
Providing additional documentation about your program of study, such as syllabi or course
descriptions, can make the most of your degree evaluation. Making an effort here can result in
significant savings of time and money by minimizing the gaps in comparing your degree to its
U.S. equivalent.
GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Be your own advocate throughout the licensing process. Seek clarification about questions and
concerns directly from official sources. If you feel your degree has been misinterpreted or you do
not understand a fine point of the state regulations, organize your questions, contact Continental
Testing Services (CTS), Pearson Vue, or Illinois Department of Financial and Professional
Regulation (IDFPR), and ask for assistance.
INVEST IN TEST PREPARATION
If you can afford it, invest some money in test preparation. There are online and in-person
formats available, including a moderately priced subscription service by the makers of the
National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Investing money wisely now to make your
licensing process a success will get you into a job that pays well that much faster! You should
feel prepared to take the NCLEX by the time your licensing by examination application is ready
to submit to Continental Testing Services (CTS), because the events that follow are sensitive to
deadlines and you will lose money if you delay.
BE FLEXIBLE IN YOUR JOB SEARCH

Build professional networks; consider employment in healthcare at a lower level, such as a CNA,
to give you a lower-stress job that allows you to study for licensing and open opportunities to
meet employers. If you are overqualified for positions you are applying for, explain how your
plans can bring long-term value to the employer