Welcome to The Land of Lincoln!

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Each state needs a competent medical workforce to meet the needs of it’s citizens. However, the requirements for some health care professions are not the same in each state. That is why it is important to find out what is required of you as a future or current registered nurse before moving across state lines. Contact information is located at the bottom of this page.

Endorsement

• complete pplication with applicable fees (currently $50)

• You must be a graduate from an approved nursing program

• Your SSN is mandatory for the application. If you do not have a SSN you must submit a SSN affidavit, available on the Department web site.
• For nurses educated outside the U.S and its territories a credentials evaluation report of your foreign nursing education is required from either CGFNS or the Educational records Evaluation Service (ERES)
• If English is not your first language, you will be required to provide proof of English-language proficiency by passing and submitting certification of the Test of English as a Foreign Language ,or the International English Testing System.

• Verification of licensure (this can be obtained through the Nursys Verification System)

• Fingerprints (Visit the Fingerprint Vendor page to see approved fingerprint vendors). The Illinois State Police will electronically transmit fingerprint processing to the department. You must submit your receipt with the endorsement application. See Criminal Background Check Information page, included with packet, for further instructions.

• Pass a department approved exam

Your license will expire on the 31st of May on even numbered years.

Continuing Competency

You are required to engage in 20 contact hours of continuing education between each renewal period.

For more information on CE, visit the Continuing Education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.

This state requires nurses to hold current ACLS certification.

Contact Information

James R. Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph Street, Suite 9-300 Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 312-814-2715

Fax: 312-814-3145

For more information, visit the Illinois Center for Nursing page

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