Open a jurisdiction to review its dated requirements and official sources. Use the compact tables to compare which states participate.
Nursing licensure · NLC status table · EMS licensure
Does this state recognize my multistate license?
No — you need a state license
Illinois requires an Illinois RN license for nursing practice; no NLC multistate license is issued by Illinois.
Illinois requires an Illinois RN license for nursing practice; no NLC multistate license is issued by Illinois.
State statute · ilga.gov · verified 8 Oct 2026
Each answer links to the state rule it comes from. Open “Source quotation” for the exact wording.
Board contacts, official applications and governing rules.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation
IDFPR licenses registered professional nurses in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
IDFPR nursing landing page.
Portal entry linked from official RN applications page.
Registered Professional Nurse (RN) – Endorsement: Online Application
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Mailing address is shown in the linked RN endorsement instructions.
225 ILCS 65, Nurse Practice Act; 68 Ill. Adm. Code Part 1300
Administrative rules are IDFPR Nursing Rules, Part 1300.
License types, exams, expiration dates and multistate eligibility.
RN
RN is separately licensed by IDFPR; Illinois does not currently issue NLC multistate licenses.
No
The NCSBN compact map data marks Illinois outside participating jurisdictions and reports no pending NLC legislation. This is current map status, not a legislative-history determination.
All Registered Nurses licenses expire on May 31 of every even-number year, regardless of the date of issuance.
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Yes
The current RN application packet identifies NCLEX-RN as the licensing examination.
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Compact membership, license privileges and application requirements.
Current NLC status map lists Illinois as having no pending NLC legislation; Illinois is not a party state.
Current NLC status map lists Illinois as having no pending NLC legislation; Illinois is not a party state.
Current NLC status map lists Illinois as having no pending NLC legislation; Illinois is not a party state.
No — you need a state license
Illinois requires an Illinois RN license for nursing practice; no NLC multistate license is issued by Illinois.
No person shall practice or offer to practice advanced, professional, or practical nursing in Illinois
ilga.gov · State statute
Eligibility, application fees, background checks and temporary licenses.
Yes
Registered Professional Nurse (RN) – Endorsement: Online Application
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Registered Nurse licensure by endorsement
Registered Professional Nurse (RN) – Endorsement: Online Application
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Current out-of-state RN license
Education/examination records
All documents and forms required for licensure by endorsement must
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Packet IL486-1971 (RN), marked 2/24; separate temporary permit fee is $25 if requested.
The current RN endorsement packet confirms fingerprint processing through Illinois State Police or a designated agent, with an explicit exception for active Illinois LPN license holders.
Criminal Background Check: All applicants for initial licensure must submit to a criminal background check and provide evidence of fingerprint processing from the Illinois State Police or its designated agent. See attached “Important Notice – Criminal Background Check Information” for more information concerning this requirement. Applicants who hold active licensure in Illinois as a licensed practical nurse do not need to submit to a criminal background check.
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
The permit is valid for six months from the date of issuance
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Renewal dates, required education and reinstatement options.
2
All Registered Nurses licenses expire on May 31 of every even-number year, regardless of the date of issuance.
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
RN
Sexual harassment prevention
Implicit bias awareness
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
Nurse-practice rules and official IDFPR material state 20 hours per two-year cycle; mandated topic hours count within total where applicable.
Each individual (non-business) license holder must complete a one-hour sexual harassment prevention course during each renewal cycle
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Complete 20 approved CE hours in each two-year cycle; recurring state training includes sexual-harassment prevention, implicit-bias awareness, and Alzheimer’s/dementia training as applicable.
Review current renewal notice for initial-renewal exceptions and current topic implementation details.
one-hour course in implicit bias awareness training per renewal period
idfpr.illinois.gov · State Board of Nursing
Official license-verification links and the information available from each source.
Illinois's published rules don't answer these. Ask before you apply — idfpr.illinois.gov.