Published: June 15, 2020
Are you interested in being a nurse in Illinois? Or perhaps you’re looking for nursing resources in Illinois? This page includes information about the job outlook for nurses in Illinois, professional nursing organizations, continuing education requirements and more.
Here are five steps to become a nurse in Illinois:
To apply for an Illinois nursing license through the Acceptance of Examination method, you must submit an online application via Continental Testing Services (CTS), an outside testing vendor used by the IDFPR. The following is required:
Once you’ve submitted your applications, fees and supporting documents, CTS will review your application and determine your eligibility for Illinois nursing licensure. Pearson VUE will send your Authorization to Test, which is valid for 90 days.
For additional information about Illinois nursing licenses, such as application by endorsement or international applicant requirements, visit the Illinois Board of Nursing website or the IDFPR’s Registered Nurse New Application Checklist.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC allows members to have one multistate license that can be used in other NLC states. It removes the burden of paying multiple renewal fees and submitting multiple license applications per state.
You can look up an Illinois nursing license using the state’s free license search tool. After selecting “Nursing Board” as the “License Type,” you can search licenses by first name, last name, city and more.
Illinois registered nurses and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. Beginning January 1, 2020, one of the required 20 hours must be a sexual harassment prevention training course. CE can be earned through a variety of classes and seminars, but it must be taken from an approved CE sponsor. Additionally, those renewing their license for the first time do not need to complete the required CE hours. Illinois nursing license renewal information can be found on the IDFPR Renewals page.
For more information about Illinous nursing continuing education requirements, including FAQ PDFs, visit the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center website.
The job outlook for nurses in Illinois is bright, according to the U.S. Department of Labor:
Website: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/nursing.asp
Online Contact Form: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/email/prfgrp09.asp
Phone (scope of practice): 312-814-2715
Phone (professional licensing): 800-560-6420
Springfield Address: IDFPR/Nursing Unit, 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
Chicago Address: IDFPR/Nursing Unit, 555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661
Nurses in Illinois are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The IDFPR has two offices: one in Springfield and the other in Chicago.
Website: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/
Phone: 888-473-4858
Springfield Address: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
Chicago Address: 555 West Monroe Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
If you’re looking for nursing jobs in Illinois, check out the health care employers below. This list was developed based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s profile of the state's largest employers.
The Illinois Chapter of the American Nurses Association (ANA-Illinois) advocates for Illinois nurses, ensuring they’re considered in nursing practice legal and regulatory decisions.
Website: https://www.ana-illinois.org
Online contact form: https://www.ana-illinois.org/contact/?ref=/about-ana-illinois/
Phone: 779-529-2012
Address: PO Box 636, Manteno, Illinois 60950
The Illinois Health Care Association (IHCA) consists of more than 500 long-term care facilities for the developmentally disabled individuals. The IHCA “seeks to promote the highest standard of services in facilities and programs for the elderly and physically and mentally challenged.”
Website: https://www.ihca.com
Email: info@ihca.com
Phone: 800-252-8988
Address: 1029 South Fourth Street, Springfield IL 62703-2224
The Illinois League for Nursing (ILN) is part of the National League for Nursing. Members have access to nursing experts, events, programs and development opportunities.
Website: https://www.illeaguefornursing.org
Email: ILLeaguefornursing@gmail.com
Phone: consult the ILN officers page
The Illinois Nurses Association is a union committed to advocating for quality wages, benefits and working conditions for Illinois nurses. It provides continuing education and professional development.
Website: https://illinoisnurses.com
Email: update@illinoisnurses.com
Chicago Phone: 312-419-2900
Springfield Phone: 217-523-0783
Chicago Address: 910 West Van Buren Street, Suite 502, Chicago, IL 60607
Springfield Address: 911 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62704
The mission of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists (IANA) is to “Promote and support the profession of nurse anesthesia in Illinois through health policy advocacy, education and transformational leadership to advance patient safety and access to quality care.”
Website: https://www.ilcrna.com
Email: info@ilcrna.com
Phone: 217-528-6221
Address: 100 East Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62701
The Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) supports school nurses in Illinois and promotes healthy school programs for children. The IASN is affiliated with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).
Website: https://www.nasn.org/home
Email: iaschoolnurses@gmail.com
Phone: 779-529-0218
Address: PO Box 656, Manteno, Illinois 60950
The Illinois Organization for Nurse Leaders (IONL) is an affiliate of the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL). The IONL advances nursing leadership in Illinois through professional development, networking, research and more.
Website: https://www.ionl.org
Email: info@ionl.org
Phone: 312-265-3927
Address: 225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60606
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses - Illinois Chapter (NAHN-IL) enhances Hispanic nurses’ careers by providing mentorship, academic promotion and professional development. The NAHN-IL is the largest NAHN chapter in the country and committed to increasing the amount of bilingual and bicultural nurses in Illinois.
Website: https://www.nahnillinois.org
Email: nahn.illinois@gmail.com
Phone: 312-623-5967
The Student Nurses Association of Illinois (SNAI) is devoted to fostering the development of Illinois nursing students. It’s run by nursing students for nursing students.
Website: https://www.ana-illinois.org/about-ana-illinois/partners/snai/
Email: syswart@ana-illinois.org
Phone: 815-468-8804
Address: PO Box 636, Manteno, Illinois 60950
The IASN’s Margaret I. Winters Memorial Scholarship is worth $1,500 and annually awarded to a licensed Illinois professional educator and endorsed school nurse pursuing a graduate degree related to school nursing.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) offers a Nursing Education Scholarship Program to increase the number of nurses in Illinois. Scholarships are available to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, associate degree in nursing, hospital-based diploma in nursing, graduate nursing degree or certificate in practical nursing.
The Illinois Farm Bureau sponsors a Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program that awards $4,000 scholarships to RNs pursuing NP education. Scholarship recipients must serve two years in a rural Illinois community.
The IHCA offers multiple scholarships with its affiliate, the Long Term Care Nurses Association (LTCNA). The Joseph F. Warner Long Term Care Nurses Scholarship Fund is specifically for those pursuing long-term care nursing jobs in Illinois.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation (INF) offers various scholarships for Illinois residents. Scholarship winners are announced in June, and applications are accepted annually from January 1 to March 15.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) offers a Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program to help nurse educators repay up to $5,000 of student loans. The program addresses the lack of nurse educators in Illinois and incentivizes educators to continue teaching.
The NAHN-IL offers scholarships to its Illinois nursing members pursuing an accredited nursing program. The number of scholarships varies depending on the amount in its scholarship fund.
Are you an Illinois nurse who wants to advance your career? Purdue University Northwest (PNW) College of Nursing offers an online RN-to-BSN program and an online MSN program made to work with your busy schedule. If you’re ready to elevate your nursing career, request more information today.
NCLEX Exam: NCLEX is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
Source for RN Job Growth Projections: U.S. Department of Labor, O*Net, Illinois Employment Trends for Registered Nurses and Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses.