Become a Nurse in Illinois – Licensure & Requirements

Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation before applying for licensure. Last updated: 1/27/2020

Nursing Licenses in IllinoisMaster’s Required?
Certified Nurse-Midwife
Yes
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Yes
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Yes
Registered Nurse (RN)
No
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
No

Illinois Nursing Salaries

IL Nurse CareerState-Wide Annual Mean WageChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Annual Mean WageChampaign-Urbana Annual Mean WageSpringfield Annual Mean Wage
Licensed Practical Nurse
$51,080
$55,140
$43,640
$44,120
Registered Nurse
$73,890
$77,710
$60,450
$68,310
Nurse Practitioner
$105,800
$107,160
$106,750
$108,550
Nurse Anesthetist
$190,500
$176,790
$182,640
Not Available
Nurse Midwife
$105,640
$103,510
Not Available
Not Available

Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Illinois in January 2020.

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Illinois. The path you take will mostly depend upon the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Illinois, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Illinois nursing licensure. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in the healthcare sphere it’s difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Illinois, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

  • Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
  • Complete in as few as 24 months
  • Full-time and part-time tracks available

Georgetown University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

  • Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
  • Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
  • Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

St. John Fisher University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

  • Part-time and accelerated tracks available
  • Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

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Compact State Status

Illinois has pending Nurse License Compact legislation, as of September 2021.

Prescriptive Authority in Illinois

According to the Full Practice Authority, Section 1300.465 of the Nurse Practice Act, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) may apply for prescriptive authority for Schedule II-V controlled substances in collaboration with a physician.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Illinois

APRNs in Illinois include nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.

Education: Graduate degree leading to national certification in clinical advanced practice registered nursing specialty or graduate degree or post-master’s certificate from a graduate level program in clinical advanced practice registered nursing speciality.

Examination: Varies for Different Certifications

Certification Required:

  • Nurse Midwife: Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
  • Nurse Practitioner: Nurse Practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), or the National Certification Corporation (NCC)
  • Nurse Anesthetist: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) from the National Board on the Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist: Clinical Nurse Specialist from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN,) the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the National Certification Corporation (NCC), or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)

Fees:

  • $125 Application Fee
  • Certification Examination Fee (Varies for Different Certifications)

Additional Information: An active Illinois registered nurse license is required for application.

Renewal: APRNs must renew registered licenses before renewing advanced practice nurse (APN) or controlled substance licenses. Advanced practice nurses must submit a copy of current national certification, active RN license, and proof of completion of 50 hours of continuing education completed in the past two years.

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Registered Nurse (RN) in Illinois

Education: Completion of an Approved Registered Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

  • $98 Application Fee
  • $200 Examination Fee

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a registered nurse in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $50 application fee is required.

Renewal: Registered nurses must renew registered licenses by 5/31 of each even year with proof of completion of 20 hours of continuing education completed in the past two years, and renewal fees of $80.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Illinois

Education: Completion of an Approved Licensed Practical Nurse Program

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

  • $98 Application Fee
  • $200 Examination Fee

Endorsement: Individuals licensed as a licensed practical nurse in another state may apply for licensure through endorsement, subject to board approval. A $50 application fee is required.

Renewal: Licensed Practical Nurses must renew licenses by 1/31 of each odd year with proof of completion of 20 hours of continuing education completed in the past two years, and renewal fees of $80.

Learn more on how to become a licensed practical nurse.

Information for the nursing careers above: advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse and licensed practical nurse was retrieved from the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, as of January 2020.

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

  • Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
  • Complete in as few as 24 months
  • Full-time and part-time tracks available

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

  • Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
  • Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
  • Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

  • Part-time and accelerated tracks available
  • Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

info SPONSORED