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.
Nursing Licenses in Illinois | Master’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 Career | State-Wide Annual Mean Wage | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Annual Mean Wage | Champaign-Urbana Annual Mean Wage | Springfield 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!
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- 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
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. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
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.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- 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
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. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Information last updated: January 2020