Illinois board of nursing requirements for foreign graduates

The Process

1. Follow these instructions to create a profile online

2. Complete the application for Licensure by Endorsement online

• Provide a valid United States Social Security Number or submit the SSN Affidavit form
• Submit name change information (if applicable)

3. Complete the temporary nursing permit form (if applicable)

4. Pay the associated fees

5. Provide photocopies of all active nursing licenses and/or temporary licenses from other jurisdictions.

6. Official, notarized transcripts from your nursing school.

• You can open them yourself and upload a copy - your nursing school does not need to send them directly to the Illinois Board on Nursing.

7. Record of Licensure: listall other related or unrelated professional licenses held in Illinois or another state(s).

• If the state(s) participate in Nursys, you must complete the Nursys verification process, pay their fee and designate Illinois as the receipt of the verification.
• If the state(s) does not participate in Nursys, you must contact their state Boards directly for further instructions. They will need to submit an official Verification of Licensure form to the Illinois Board of Nursing on your behalf.

8. Submit your fingerprints to the department - the results can be pending.

• Provide your fingerprint Information: this is the fingerprint Transaction Control Number (TCN) from your fingerprint receipt.

• Keep your fingerprint receipt until your license has been issued. The IDFPR may request it if any issues in the fingerprinting process arise.

• You can get your fingerprints done in Illinois through one of their approved vendors or you can get them done out of state (this will prolong the timing of your application).
• Either way, you choose to obtain your fingerprints, you can follow these simple steps.

9. Provide all personal history information including:

• Criminal History
• Felony Convictions
• Dishonorable discharge from military service
• Disease or conditions that may interfere with professional work
• Denial of a prior professional license
• Failure to comply with a child support order, defaulting on a student loan, or defaulting on taxes

10. If domestically educated, please provide the following:

• Education Form (ED-NUR) signed by the Dean or Director of your nursing program with the school seal affixed.
• A copy of your official transcripts with school seal affixed.

11. If foreign educated, please provide the following:

• CGFNS or ERES certification
• If you cannot provide CGFNS or ERES certification, please include the VisaScreen Program Certificate and Certification of Foreign Licensure Form (CT).

12. Temporary Military Permit (if applicable)

The Illinois Board of Nursing does not break out different processes for obtaining a temporary license vs a permanent. The Board recommends you complete all the required steps and they will decide if a temporary license is needed. Usually, if they are awaiting the results of your background check one will be issued.

Renewal License

Renewal of your license occurs every 2 years

Complete 20 required contact hours from the approved list of pre-approved sponsors.

• If this is your first time renewing your IL RN license you do not need to complete the continuing education requirements

• Each licensee is responsible for maintaining records of completion of continuing education and shall be prepared to produce the records if requested by the Department.
• Your continuing education hours used to satisfy the continuing education requirements of another jurisdiction may be applied to fulfill the continuing education requirements of the State of Illinois for your RN re-licensure.

Illinois Board of Nursing

Location

IDFPR/Nursing Unit
320 W. Washington St., 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786

View in Google Maps

IDFPR/Nursing Unit
555 West Monroe.,5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661

View in Google Maps

Mailing Address

IDFPR/Nursing Unit
320 W. Washington St., 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786

Website

Visit member website

Contact

Michele L. Bromberg, MSN, RN, Nursing Coordinator

Phone

Scope of Practice
312.814.2715

Applications & Licensing
800.560.6420

Current Local Time

NLC Member

No

Can you be a nurse in the US with a foreign degree?

How can a foreign nurse take the NCLEX?

How do I get an Illinois nursing license?

How do I apply for NCLEX in Illinois from Philippines?