llinois Nurse (RN) Professional Licensing Guide

1. How the Profession Is Organized in Illinois

2. Eligibility for Licensing
3. Tests
4. Time and Costs
5. Other Careers and Credentials
6. Beyond Licensing
7. Important Links
8. Tips

1. How the Profession Is Organized in Illinois

Regulation of the Nursing Profession
Nursing in Illinois is regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
and its Division of Professional Regulation. IDFPR manages 3 types of nursing licenses related to increasing
degrees of education, examination and experience:
1. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN);
2. Registered Professional Nurse (RN); and
3. Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
The guide assumes that you hold the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor of Science in Nursing, so the most
appropriate license type for you is a Registered Nurse (RN). It also assumes that your Illinois license will be
your first U.S. nursing license. You will become an RN through Licensure by Examination. The National
Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers the National Council Licensure Examination
(NCLEX-RN), which is required for licensing as an RN in Illinois.

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Educational Background

In the U.S., the term RN includes professionals with a variety of education levels but with certain skill sets
in common. Most people become RNs after participating in one of two types of educational programs:

An Associates Degree of Nursing or ADN (2 years of study, typically in a community college)

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing or BSN (a 4-year university degree)

Usually, a higher level of education corresponds to greater responsibility, specialization, and advancement
opportunities in the workplace. Many RNs later go on to receive masters or doctoral degrees in nursing and
pursue careers as APNs or in healthcare management, consulting, research, or education roles.

The Job Market for Nursing in Illinois

Nursing is a growing field in the U.S., due to factors such as the aging U.S. population, nurse attrition
(choosing to leave the job), and the increasing complexity of nursing practice. The state of Illinois Nursing
Center reports that by 2020 there will be a nursing shortage of over 21,000 nurses in Illinois.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that from 2010 to 2020, the fastest growing jobs for RNs will be
employment in physician's offices, home health care, and outpatient care facilities. The highest average

earnings are paid to nurses working in private industry ($66,650), physicians offices ($62,880), hospitals
($62,690), and home health care ($60,690), and housing care facilities ($58,180).

The Job Search

Qualified RNs are in high demand and employers will compete for their skills. Bilingual and bicultural
nurses can be even more attractive to employers who serve diverse communities. Because of this demand,
even part-time employment can include attractive benefits such as health insurance, childcare, and tuition
fees for continued education.
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2. Eligibility for Licensing

Overview
Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) need to meet several requirements to receive Licensure by
Examination as a RN in Illinois.
Steps to licensing are as follows:

i. Evaluate your foreign degree and foreign license with an approved credentialing
organization and receive a Credential Evaluation Service Report
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation allows you to have your foreign nursing
degree evaluated by one of two organizations: the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
(CGFNS) or the Education Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES). We recommend CGFNS for its longestablished service, web access by regulation officials, and fast turnaround times.
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) instructs you on the steps necessary to
evaluate your foreign degree and licensure. Here are the steps:

Apply for evaluation by either registering online or downloading an application form and sending it
by mail

Request the "Healthcare Profession & Science Report" (cost: $335 in 2012). Make sure that you ask
for your report to be prepared for the Illinois Board of Nursing - this will make your record available
to the State electronically

Use CGFNS forms to send requests for official academic records and licensing confirmation to the
educational institution(s) you attended and your country's nursing regulation agency. These records
must be delivered from the institutions directly to CGFNS - you cannot handle them yourself

Provide translations for any documents not in English. This is most often done through your foreign
school(s) or licensing agency. You will need to research how to do this and what you will be charged
by these institutions

Your report is active for 12 months; renewing access to it for another 12 months costs $200 for the
Healthcare Profession & Science Report and $250 for the Full Education Course-by-Course Report

You must show proof that you graduated from high school (a photocopy of a high school diploma or
exit exam will work). You must submit this directly with your application, accompanied by a
translation and special translator statement

CGFNS will evaluate your education and licensing to see if it is comparable to the minimum standards for
an Illinois Registered Nurse program. This includes standards for coursework and clinical experience in five
areas of nursing practice:

Adult medical nursing

Adult surgical nursing

Obstetrics (maternal and infant health)

Pediatrics (care of children)

Psychiatric or mental health nursing

After evaluation, CGFNS will decide either that:

Your degree is comparable except for a missing clinical component in one of the five areas of
nursing OR that

Your degree is not found as comparable

In the first case, you will need to have your training pre-approved by IDFPR and choose a school or other
training provider from a list of approved nursing education programs (the list is available on the IDFPR
website). After completing this clinical requirement and sending transcripts to IDFPR, you will be able to
continue your licensing process
In the second case, you will need to return to school for a degree program to qualify you for licensure as a
Registered Nurse. You should research nursing education programs in your area, and bring your transcripts
and credential evaluation to the program coordinators to see if you can receive advanced standing for a
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The quickest route to becoming an RN may be to earn an Associates
Degree of Nursing. However, if you choose this option you will be settling for a U.S. degree that is not as
advanced as your foreign degree, and you will have to continue studying for a BSN if you want better career
opportunities.
If you hold a BSN from another country, your degree might be determined comparable to the minimum
standard required by the State of Illinois. However, sometimes different standards in nursing practice can
affect your degree evaluation, such as male nurses not practicing obstetrical nursing, or nurse midwives not
receiving training in other areas of nursing.

ii. Get fingerprinted via an IDFPR-approved vendor for a criminal record check
A list of service providers approved by IDFPR and the Illinois State Police is listed in the Licensure by
Examination application. Costs vary by site. Call to set up an appointment. It is critical that you save the
receipt as proof that you have taken this step: You must include it in the Licensing by Examination
application package you will later send to Continental Testing Services (CTS).

iii. Register online with Continental Testing Services (CTS), submit your Licensure by
Examination application, required supporting documents, and pay application fee

CTS manages licensing applications for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
(IDFPR). You should call the CTS help number for application assistance: (708) 354-9911. There are two
steps involved:

First, register online and arrange for payment of an $91 application fee (as of 2012)

Mail all required documentation to CTS. Illinois requires notarized translations of any foreignlanguage documents

Your final application package should include:

Four-page Licensure by Examination application from the Illinois Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

CT-NUR forms completed by the licensing agency or board of any jurisdiction(s) in which you were
first licensed, are currently licensed, or have been licensed in the last 5 years

Credential Evaluation Service report (your foreign degree and licensing evaluation)

Receipt from fingerprinting appointment

Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if you are not a native English
speaker and the language of instruction and textbooks in your nursing program was not English

(The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires minimal scores of 560
on the paper-based test, 220 on the computer-based test and 83 on the Internet-based test)
This application is valid for 3 years. If you have not passed the National Council Licensure Examination
(NCLEX) or met other licensing requirements within these 3 years you will have to submit a new
application and pay the processing fee again.

iv. Register with Pearson Vue for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
by web, mail or telephone
Register with Pearson for the NCLEX at the same time as submitting your application to Continental Testing
Services (CTS). The NCLEX costs $200 (as of 2012).

v. Receive an approval letter from Continental Testing Services (CTS) and Authorization
to Test (ATT); schedule your testing appointment with the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX)
You have only 90 days from receipt of the ATT to take the NCLEX. Set up your appointment immediately.
Instructions are included in the ATT notice.

vi. Take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and receive a
passage letter allowing limited practice for 3 months while license is being processed
Your NCLEX scores should be available to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
(IDFPR) within one month after testing. Once you have received a passing grade on the NCLEX you will
receive a letter of passage from IDFPR and your licensure will be issued as soon as it can be processed,
usually within a few months. Your passage letter will give you details that allow you to practice nursing for
up to 3 months pending receipt of Illinois licensure, provided that you work under the direct supervision of a
registered nurse or an advanced practicing nurse.

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3. Tests
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is the only examination
required in the Illinois Licensure by Examination process.

Test Technology of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
(NCLEX-RN)
The NCLEX-RN is computer-based test, called a variable length adaptive test. This means that the test will
adjust its difficulty level, content, and number of questions based on your answers. The test will continue
until all content areas are covered in the required proportions, and the system is 95% certain that your
abilities are either above or below the passing standard due to its analysis of your answers. As a result, you
may be asked to answer anywhere from 75 to 265 items. Test takers with either very high or very low
abilities tend to have the tests with the fewest items. You are not allowed to skip any questions, but you
should avoid making random guesses, as this can quickly lower your score. The exam is mostly multiplechoice but other question types are also included. You will be given a short tutorial that will expose you to
the different question types. You cannot bring reference materials or other testing aids to the exam. An onscreen calculator is provided for some problems.

Content Areas of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
(NCLEX-RN)
The content of the NCLEX-RN concentrates on the patient as the focus of care. The current NCLEX-RN
exam (2011 edition) is divided into four categories of Client Needs, some of which have subcategories. The
percentages show the approximate percent of questions each test taker will receive in the category:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
o Coordinated Care (13-19%)
o Safety and Infection Control (11-17%)
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance 7-13%
3. Psychosocial Integrity 7-13%
4. Physiological Integrity
o Basic Care and Comfort (9-15%)
o Pharmacological Therapies (11-17%)
o Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%)
o Physiological Adaptation (9-15%)

Scheduling and Testing Site Procedures of the National Council Licensure Examination for
Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
Pearson Vue holds the NCLEX-RN in testing centers across the U.S. and internationally. You can register
information with Pearson and pay for the test ($200), but you cannot schedule the NCLEX-RN exam until
your application for Licensure by Examination has been processed and you have received an Authorization

to Test (ATT) notice. The ATT includes detailed instructions for choosing a testing center and scheduling a
date to take the NCLEX-RN. The ATT is valid for only 90 days, so you should not delay in scheduling an
exam session.
On the day of the test, you must bring the ATT and acceptable identification. You will be fingerprinted and
photographed before your test and will be fingerprinted when you re-enter the testing area after breaks. You
should arrive at least a half hour early; you will not be allowed to take the test if you arrive more than a half
hour late for your appointment. You will have up to six hours to complete the test, including time scheduled
for the computer tutorial and optional breaks.

Failing the NCLEX-RN

If you fail your exam, the Illinois Nursing Board will send you a Candidate Performance Report which
shows the areas that need improvement. You can use the report to learn what areas to study before you
retake the exam. You may take the NCLEX-RN again after waiting 90 days. If your score is far from passing
you should consider additional test preparation or taking refresher courses so that you can pass in the threeyear period after your first application.

Practicing for the NCLEX-RN

There are many different resources that can help you prepare for the content and the computer-based testing
technology. The Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium offers a variety of test preparation resources for low
cost. Consider investing in test preparation as it may save you money by not having to pay to retake the test
and by entering the job market faster. Please refer to Important Links for test preparation options.
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4. Time and Costs

Evaluating your foreign degree and achieving licensing as a Registered Professional Nurse in Illinois
depends on many factors. A few of these include:

The completeness of your educational and professional records (the more documentation, the better)

The efficiency of your home country's system in compiling and transmitting your university records
and verification of licensing

Your performance on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)

Your free time and how much money you have to spend

We provide two hypothetical scenarios below to show some of the variety in results that immigrant
professionals may find when they seek to become registered nurses in Illinois. Please consider these
scenarios as two examples out of many possibilities. Your experience will vary.

Two Hypothetical Scenarios for Licensing as a Registered Nurse:

More Efficient Scenario
Approximate Time and Cost

Step
1
Degree Evaluation

It takes you just 3 months to get

your home country documents to a
credentialing organization to
complete your degree evaluation

Less Efficient Scenario

Approximate Time and Cost

Problems with your documents take 6

months to resolve and are expensive
since you must pay others in your
country to visit institutions for you

More Efficient Scenario

Approximate Time and Cost

Step

No translation is needed

Your documents must be translated

3 months + $500

8 months + $1,100

You identify a finger printing

provider and make an appointment

You identify a finger printing

provider and make an appointment

1 month + $50

1 month + $50

You assemble your Licensing by

Examination packet relatively
quickly

Your licensing application is

incomplete the first time and you
must resubmit it

6 months + $100

9 months + $100

You register for the NCLEX at the

same as you apply to CTS

You register for the NCLEX at the

same as you apply to CTS

$200

2
Fingerprints

3
Submit Licensure
by Examination
Application to CTS

4
Register with
Pearson Vue for
NCLEX

5
Receive
Authorization to
Test and Schedule
NCLEX

Less Efficient Scenario

Approximate Time and Cost

You begin a self-study course for

the NCLEX for $300

$500

You schedule the NCLEX right

after receiving the Authorization to
Test

You schedule the NCLEX right after

receiving the Authorization to Test

Your skills are fresh and you've

been using a self-study program
throughout the process; you pass
the NCLEX on the first try. Your
license is received 3 months after
you take the exam

It takes you 2 tries to pass the

NCLEX. In between tests, you enroll
in a 4-month NCLEX preparation
class for $1,000. Your license is
received 3 months after you take the
second exam

5 months

8 months + $1,200

6
Take and Pass
NCLEX

More Efficient Total

About 1 1/2 years and $1,200

Less Efficient Total

About 2 years and $2,650
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5. Other Careers and Credentials

Lower-level opportunities

You may want to consider if taking a lower-level job in healthcare in the short-term can help you meet
longer-term goals of licensing as a registered nurse.
Preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) can take time. Working in healthcare
in a different way and with fewer responsibilities may offer you some advantages, such as

employers paying for tuition and fees associated with the NCLEX and licensing

more energy to focus on studying

a chance to adapt to the U.S. healthcare system and workplace culture in a lower-pressure
environment

You should be honest with your employer about your long-term plans and be sure that they have benefits
such as tuition reimbursement or schedule flexibility that will support your goals.

Certified Nursing Assistant, CNA

CNAs are also commonly referred to as nurses' aides or orderlies. CNAs have very limited responsibilities
and work under nurse supervision. As a foreign trained nurse, you can become a CNA fairly easily once you
have completed your degree evaluation through either ERES or CGFNS.You do not need to take a U.S.
CNA course if you can provide the following materials to register for the written competency exam:

A copy of your diploma translated into English

Copy of official transcripts in English, including the number of hours of training you received for
each course

Social Security card

Proof of employment authorization

After you have the necessary materials to register for the CNA exam, you can find an exam site through
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIU-C). Their website, www.nurseaidetesting.com, also offers
practice materials, a study guide, and test locations. This exam is basic, but CNA test preparation materials
are available to practice. If you fail the email 3 times, you must take a CNA training course in order to be
able to register for the exam again. CNA training programs are short courses that last only 1 or 2 months.
They are offered through many community colleges or larger healthcare facilities in Illinois.
Additionally, you must pass a test and a criminal background check before working as a CNA. Working as a
CNA in the healthcare field will provide you with an opportunity to build a professional network, gain U.S.
experience that is highly relevant to your profession, and possibly receive tuition reimbursement for
relicensing purposes. CNAs typically earn approximately $12 per hour.

Healthcare Interpreter
If you are bilingual and a strong communicator, you may want to research opportunities for work in
hospitals as an interpreter. This type of role is not regulated in Illinois, so standards for employment as well
as pay and benefits may be very different depending on the employer. You are more likely to have benefits
such as tuition reimbursement if you find work as a direct employee of a healthcare facility, instead of
working for a company that provides interpretation services to hospitals. You may want to begin your
research by directly contacting human resource departments at hospitals.

Higher-level opportunities

After you receive your Registered Nurse license in Illinois you may find you want to continue your
professional development. If you have the equivalent of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you can qualify to
train as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).

Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)

The advanced practice nurse is the highest licensure in nursing practice and involves graduate school
education, examination, and licensing processes beyond the level required of Registered Nurses. APNs in
most states are allowed a more independent nursing practice, which includes diagnosis and treatment of
patients and the ability to prescribe medications. In Illinois, APNs must have a joint agreement with an
Illinois licensed physician on record, but direct physician supervision is not required in order to practice.
APNs can choose from specialties in one of 4 recognized practice areas:

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA),

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS),

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), or

Nurse Practitioner (CNP).

A RN who wants to become an APN will find a variety of opportunities for education, including accelerated
degree programs or courses designed for working professionals (e.g. weekend and evening courses).
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6. Beyond Licensing
Joining a professional association
State and national associations for nurses provide opportunities for professional development and
networking. They also help set acceptable working conditions for nurses, and give information and opinions
on policy in Illinois and across the U.S. Their websites may offer useful information to nursing candidates
about the licensing and examination process, including test preparation. They often provide Continuing
Education to members as well.

State:

Illinois Nurses Association

National:

American Nurses Association

Additionally, there is a large variety of professional associations for nurses that cater to specific disciplines,
job type, ethnicity, gender, or religion of registered nurses.

Licensing mobility (reciprocity)

The state of Illinois does not have any shared agreement to honor the nursing licenses of other states. It
grants licensing to nurses by either examination (the process described in this topic) or endorsement (where
a registered nurse licensed in another state must meet all Illinois requirements for licensing). Fortunately,
since the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is accepted by all states, a registered nurse
looking to relocate to Illinois will not have to retake the NCLEX. However, the country is now moving

toward increased mobility of nursing licenses, as the nursing shortage encourages states to attract more
qualified professionals. See the National Resources part of the Important Links section to view the states that
are currently participating in mutual licensing reciprocity for licensed practice nurses and registered nurses;
you can learn more about this Nurse Licensure Compact through the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing.
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7. Important Links
Common Words used in this article

Regulation:

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issues licenses for Licensed
Practical Nurses (LPN), Registered Professional Nurses (RN) and Advanced Practice Nurses (APN).
Application packets (both by Examination and Licensing by Endorsement) can be downloaded on
the homepage.

The state of Illinois has established the Illinois Center for Nursing to promote nursing in the state. It
has useful links to education and employment information, as well as professional associations

Testing:

Pearson Vue administers the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and gathers
important information and further links regarding the NCLEX

Download the latest NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin as well as a small software program
that offers an online tutorial for the NCLEX computer-based exam interface - this will familiarize
you with the appearance and operation of the interface including the variety of possible question
formats (multiple choice, ordering, fill in the blank)

Continental Testing Service registers candidates and collects licensing applications for the Illinois
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), serving as intermediary between the
state, the candidate, and Pearson Vue. Questions about the application process should be directed to
them. Phone: (708) 354-9911 Address: Continental Testing Services Inc., P.O. Box 100, LaGrange,
Illinois 60525. The online registration can be accessed through clicking on "Apply for Exam"

Credentials:

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) in Philadelphia, PA is one of

two credentialing organizations accepted by the State of Illinois for RN licensure. Phone: (215) 3498767 ext. 476. Some resource tools include their useful CES Professional page and fee schedule

The Education Records Evaluation Service, Inc. in Sacramento, CA is the other credentialing
organization accepted by the State of Illinois for RN licensure. Phone: (916) 921-0790

ILLINOIS RESOURCES:

The Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium is a non-profit organization working with foreign trained
nurses to assist in navigating the health care, immigration, and education systems to secure licensure
as registered professional nurses in Illinois. They offer TOEFL classes for nurses, NCLEX
preparation courses, and CPR courses, as well as coaching in the relicensing process specific to
nurses

The Illinois Health Care Worker Registry shows the required steps of licensing as a CNA in Illinois

National Resources:

The National Council on State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) represents member Nursing Boards for
all 50 states. It develops the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). It is also,
coincidentally, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Its website also has an up-to-date map of states
which have formed a Nurse Licensure Compact

National Council on State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Learning Extension is a portal for e-learning
for nursing that includes test preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination for
Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for nursing candidates and continuing education for practicing
nurses at all levels. The NCSBN's Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination v5.4 is an online
subscription service that includes extensive NCLEX preparation resources, including skills
assessment to identify knowledge gaps, plus curriculum, test questions and interactive exercises

The Illinois Nurses Association is the largest nursing association in the state

The American Nurses Association is its national counterpart

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8. Tips
Provide complete documents
Nursing foreign degree evaluation services require that your university and licensing authority send
transcripts directly to them. Invest the time and money early to facilitate this process. Providing
additional documentation about your program of study, such as syllabi or course descriptions, can
make the most of your degree evaluation. Making an effort here can result in significant savings of
time and money by minimizing the gaps in comparing your degree to its U.S. equivalent.

Get your questions answered

Be your own advocate throughout the licensing process. Seek clarification about questions and
concerns directly from official sources. If you feel your degree has been misinterpreted or you do not
understand a fine point of the state regulations, organize your questions, contact Continental Testing
Services (CTS), Pearson Vue, or Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
(IDFPR), and ask for assistance.

Invest in test preparation

If you can afford it, invest some money in test preparation. There are online and in-person formats
available, including a moderately priced subscription service by the makers of the National Council
Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Investing money wisely now to make your licensing process a
success will get you into a job that pays well that much faster! You should feel prepared to take the
NCLEX by the time your licensing by examination application is ready to submit to Continental
Testing Services (CTS), because the events that follow are sensitive to deadlines and you will lose
money if you delay.

Be flexible in your job search

Build professional networks; consider employment in healthcare at a lower level, such as a CNA, to
give you a lower-stress job that allows you to study for licensing and open opportunities to meet

employers. If you are overqualified for positions you are applying for, explain how your plans can
bring long-term value to the employer

YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:

Aymal Lizada Bhatti,

You need to complete the following steps to finalize your application:
To print your application you must have Adobe Reader installed. Click Print Application, If you
do not have Adobe Reader installed, Download free version from here.

If you received your degree in the United States, you must submit a completed ED-NUR signed
and sealed by your school. ED_NUR Form or you must appear on the official school roster sent
to CTS.
All Foreign educated candidates must submit a CGFNS or CES equivalency certificate.
Information can be obtained at http://www.cgfns.org
All Candidates must submit an original fingerprint receipt. Appointments can be made at
IDENTIX Identification Services 1-800-377-2080.

Make a bank check or money order payable to "Continental Testing Services, Inc." in the
amount of 98.00
Mail your signed application, fees, and associated documents to:
Continental Testing Services, Inc
P. O. Box 100
LaGrange, Illinois 60525
Your Confirmation Number is: 354385
Thank you.