Last Updated: April 2026
Getting your Illinois nursing license is a bit of a marathon compared to compact states. While Illinois has passed legislation to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), the state has not yet implemented the law. This means you cannot currently practice here on a multistate license from another state. Whether you are eyeing a contract in Chicago or a staff role in Springfield, you will need a single-state Illinois license issued by the IDFPR. The process can feel slow, but you can avoid common traps by timing your steps correctly. The biggest hurdles for most nurses are the strict 60-day fingerprinting window and the state’s very specific mandatory continuing education topics.
This guide walks you through the 2026 fees, the out-of-state card scan process, and the exact steps to keep your Illinois nursing license in good standing.
For clinicians exploring travel assignments with Advantis, our licensing specialists provide guidance through the licensing process to reduce stress and help shorten processing times.
We’ll help you quickly get your IL license & connect you to top contracts in the state.
Our licensing specialists are your partners in navigating the complexities of state licensing so you can move forward with confidence. From understanding state requirements to submitting documentation, our team works closely with you to keep the process simple, organized, and efficient.
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
The Illinois Board of Nursing is part of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). They handle everything from new graduate testing to license restoration. Knowing where your paperwork is going is important because the board maintains two main offices. Physical documents should be routed based on specific application instructions provided in the portal.
Licensure by Endorsement (RN/LPN): $50
Licensure by Examination (RN/LPN): $50
Temporary Permit: $25
RN License Renewal: $80
LPN License Renewal: $80
Late Renewal Fee: $50
Reinstatement Fee: $130
Fees vary and are subject to change. Always verify the most current pricing directly with the Board of Nursing.
Illinois uses a fixed biennial renewal schedule rather than tying renewals to your birth month. All nurses in the same license category renew at the same time.
To renew and maintain an active Illinois RN license, you must:
Illinois requires 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal.
Mandatory CE topics include:
Newly licensed nurses are typically exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period following initial licensure.
Renewal Fee: $80
Because the Nurse Licensure Compact is not yet active in the state, anyone moving to Illinois must navigate the Licensure by Endorsement path. This process bridges your out-of-state credentials into the Illinois system. Since you cannot rely on a multistate license here, you need your Illinois nursing license by endorsement or a temporary permit in hand before you can legally step onto the floor for your first shift.
You may apply for an Illinois license by endorsement if you:
A temporary permit may be requested if you have a confirmed start date while your full license application is under review.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will review your application, license verification, and background check.
Once approved, your Illinois RN license will be issued and visible in the IDFPR license lookup system.
If you are a new graduate of a U.S. nursing education program (for RN or LPN) who has not been licensed in another state, you apply by examination.
Application Fee: $50
NCLEX Exam Fee: $200
Illinois remains a massive market for travelers, especially in the Chicago metro area. However, because the state is not compact-active yet, you cannot simply “hit the ground running” with a multistate license. You must be proactive with your single-state nursing license application weeks before your start date.
The most common delay for travel nurses is missing the 60-day fingerprint window or using a station not compatible with Illinois’ Card Scan requirements. Another state-specific quirk involves the fixed expiration dates. If your contract starts in the spring of an even-numbered year, you might have to complete an Illinois nursing license renewal just a few months after receiving your license. Once your licensing is in place, browse our travel nursing jobs in Illinois to see available contracts across the state.
Explore our travel nurse jobs in Illinois to find your next great assignment.
No. While Illinois has passed legislation to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), the program has not yet been implemented. To practice in the state, nurses must hold a single-state Illinois nursing license issued by the IDFPR.
Processing times vary because the IDFPR does not publish a guaranteed timeline. Applications typically take several weeks to a few months, depending on fingerprint processing and current volume.
Illinois does not offer a grace period. If your license expires on May 31 (RN) or January 31 (LPN), it lapses immediately, and you must stop practicing. To return to work, you must complete the formal license restoration process.
Your fingerprint results must be completed and submitted within 60 days of filing your license application. If your results land outside this window, the IDFPR will reject them, requiring you to repeat the process and pay the fees again.
Illinois requires 20 contact hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle. These hours must include specific mandatory topics, including sexual harassment prevention, implicit bias, and dementia care.
Advantis Medical helps you leverage your license with 4,000+ high-paying travel nurse jobs & fast starts —trusted by thousands and backed by 700+ 5-star reviews.
