Published: June 15, 2020 Updated: May 16, 2023
Are you interested in being a nurse in Illinois? Or perhaps you’re looking for nursing resources in Illinois? This page includes the information you need. Whether you want to find out more about the job outlook for nurses in Illinois, professional nursing organizations, continuing education requirements or other relevant information, we’ve got you covered in the following sections.
To become a nurse in Illinois, you first need to apply for an Illinois nursing license. One way is through the Acceptance of Examination method. You’ll have to submit an online application via Continental Testing Services (CTS), an outside testing vendor used by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The following is required:
Once the applications, fees and supporting documents have been submitted, the Illinois nursing regulatory body (NRB) will determine your eligibility for an Illinois nursing license. If you qualify, Pearson VUE will send an Authorization to Test (ATT), 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.
No. Illinois is not currently 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. Check out the list of participating NLC states if you would like to learn more.
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 (RNs) 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 Illinois nursing continuing education requirements, including FAQs, visit the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center website.
The job outlook for nurses in Illinois is bright, according to O*NET:
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 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 developmentally disabled individuals living in the state. The IHCA seeks “to lead in advocacy and education for our members.”
Website: https://www.ihca.com
Email: info@ihca.com
Phone: 800-252-8988
Additional phone numbers: consult the Staff Contacts page
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://illeaguefornursing.nursingnetwork.com
Online contact form: https://illeaguefornursing.nursingnetwork.com/contact
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 support nurse anesthetists in Illinois through health policy advocacy, education and leadership, promoting patient safety and access to quality care.
Website: https://www.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.iasn.org/
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 for Nursing Leadership™ (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 it’s committed to increasing the number of bilingual and bicultural nurses in Illinois.
Website: https://www.nahnillinois.org
Online contact form: https://www.nahnillinois.org/contact-us
Email: illinois.nahn@gmail.com
Phone: 859-469-5800
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: http://www.snaillinois.com/
Email: president@snaillinois.com
Phone: 779-529-2012
Address: PO Box 636, Manteno, Illinois 60950
The IASN’s Margaret I. Winters Memorial Scholarship is worth $1,500, and it’s annually awarded to a licensed Illinois professional educator and endorsed school nurse pursuing a graduate degree related to school nursing.
Website: https://www.iasn.org/margaret-i-winters-memorial-scholarship/
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’s degree in nursing, hospital-based diploma in nursing, graduate nursing degree or certificate in practical nursing.
The Illinois Farm Bureau and Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program (RIMSAP) sponsor a Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program that awards $4,000 scholarships to RNs pursuing nurse practitioner (NP) education. Scholarship recipients must serve two years in a rural Illinois community.
Website: http://www.rimsap.com/
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.
Website: https://www.ihca.com/scholarships
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. These scholarships are aimed at students majoring in nursing or nurses who are interested in continuing their education.
Website: https://www.illinoisnurses.foundation/scholarships/
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 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program for your busy schedule. If you’re ready to elevate your nursing career, request more information today.
For informational purposes only. Students should confirm stated information independently on their own.
Sample of employment and nursing scholarships listed above is for general reference and does not include all available sources. Purdue Northwest is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the providers listed in the sample.
NCLEX Exam: NCLEX is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
RN Job Growth Projections: Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, O*Net, Illinois Employment Trends for Registered Nurses and Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses