Last updated on : 10/03/2026

Illinois Nursing License for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) 2026:

Internationally educated nurses who wish to apply for the NCLEX-RN through Illinois must apply for Licensure by Examination through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Applicants must meet several requirements before they become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination.

Professional Licensing System in Illinois (IDFPR)

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) regulates more than 1.2 million professionals across over 100 licensed professions, including registered nurses and practical nurses.

All nursing licenses in Illinois are issued and regulated through the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) under IDFPR.

Applicants must ensure they apply for the correct type of license application, such as:

• New Application (first-time licensure)
• Examination Application
• Endorsement Application
• License Reactivation Application

Illinois Nurse Licensure Compact Status

Illinois is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

This means nurses who want to practice in Illinois must obtain a separate Illinois RN license, even if they already hold a license in another U.S. state.

Important Note for International Applicants

The Illinois Board of Nursing does not review credential evaluation reports before an application is submitted. Applicants must apply first with IDFPR or CTS before submitting foreign credential evaluation reports.

This means internationally educated nurses should start the licensure application before requesting evaluation reports.

Dual Application Process for Illinois NCLEX

Applicants must complete two separate registrations:

1️⃣ Apply for RN Licensure through Continental Testing Services (CTS)
2️⃣ Register for the NCLEX-RN exam through Pearson VUE

Both steps must be completed before the Authorization to Test (ATT) can be issued

Step-by-Step Illinois NCLEX Application Process:

Step 1 – Credential Evaluation for Foreign-Educated Nurses:

Internationally educated nurses must submit a Credential Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report or an equivalent credential evaluation from an approved evaluation agency.

This report verifies:

• nursing education credentials
• academic equivalency with U.S. nursing education
• verification of licenses held outside the United States

Illinois commonly accepts evaluation reports from:

• CGFNS
• Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES)

Step 2 – Fingerprint Criminal Background Check

All RN applicants must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

The applicant must enter the Transaction Control Number (TCN) from the fingerprint vendor when submitting the application.

Step 3 – Verification of Original Nursing License

Applicants must submit proof of licensure from the country where they completed their nursing education. This verification must be sent directly by the licensing authority to the Illinois Board of Nursing.

Step 4– Apply Through Continental Testing Services (CTS)

Applicants must submit the RN Licensure by Examination application through Continental Testing Services (CTS), the testing vendor used by IDFPR.

CTS reviews all application documents and determines eligibility for the NCLEX exam.

Once the application is approved, candidates will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE.

Step 5 – Register for NCLEX-RN

Candidates must also register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-RN examination.

NCLEX exam fee: $200

After approval, candidates will receive the Authorization to Test (ATT) email and can schedule their exam date.

The ATT is valid for 90 days, and the exam must be scheduled within this period.

Step 6 – English Proficiency Requirement

If the nursing program was not taught in English, applicants must provide proof of English proficiency.

Accepted English tests may include:

• TOEFL
• IELTS

These test scores must be submitted as part of the credential evaluation process.

7️⃣ Important Timeline Information

NCLEX Authorization to Test (ATT) Validity

Once CTS approves the application, Pearson VUE will send an Authorization to Test (ATT).

Important points:

• ATT validity: 90 days
• Exam must be scheduled within this period
• If the exam is not taken within the validity period, a new application is required.

8️⃣ Application Validity Period (Important Update)

Illinois Application Validity Period

Applicants have three years from the date of application submission to complete all licensing requirements.

If the process is not completed within three years, the application will be denied and the applicant must start the process again.

9️⃣ Illinois RN License Issuance

Receiving Your Illinois RN License

After successfully passing the NCLEX-RN exam and meeting all requirements, IDFPR will issue the Illinois Registered Nurse license.

The license allows the nurse to legally practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of Illinois.

🔟 Latest Update from IDFPR Website

Latest Updates from IDFPR (Illinois Board of Nursing)

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has introduced a new Third-Party Authorization Form for licensure applicants.

Applicants can authorize an individual or organization to communicate with IDFPR regarding their application. Older versions of this form are no longer accepted after May 1, 2024.

IDFPR Application Checklist:

8️⃣ Social Security Number Requirement

Add this clarification.

Social Security Number Requirement

Applicants may initially apply without a Social Security Number if they are outside the United States.

However, the Social Security Number must be provided during the license issuance or renewal stage if the nurse plans to work in the United States.

6️⃣ Illinois RN Application Fees:

Application	Fee
RN Application (CTS)	approx. $107
NCLEX Registration	$200

Fees may change, so applicants should confirm with the official providers.

Illinois Board of Nursing Application for NCLEX:

Step by Step Process Explained. 

In this blog I am mentioning about how  to become a registered nurse  in Illinois Board of Nursing. What are the benefits , disadvantages, documents required, total expense for the process and steps of application process.

General Information:

Illinois application is valid for 1 year
Experience is not a requirement
CES is required(CGFNS)
Credentialing duration approximately 4 to 5 months
The entire procedure is about 6-7 months
Not a compact state
After passing the NCLEX, you will NOT receive an active license right away.
lTo obtain an active license in Illinois, you will need to process a License Application.

Documents Required for the process:

Application form filled
Valid passport copy
Recent passport size photo(white background)
TOR & RLE fro Philippines, Other country Transcript from your nursing college
Degree/diploma certificate in nursing
High school diploma and Higher secondary school certificate
Active Nursing council License initial copy and renewal copy
Marriage certificate

Please send all documents to : [email protected]

Estimated Fees for Illinois NCLEX Application (International Nurses):

Service / Requirement	Approximate Fee
CGFNS Credential Verification	$450 USD
Fingerprint Vendor Card	$70 – $100 USD
Continental Testing Services (CTS) Application Fee	$98 USD
NCSBN / Pearson VUE NCLEX Exam Booking Fee	$200 USD
NCLEX Registration Fee	$220 USD

Note: Fees may change according to the official providers. Applicants should always verify the latest fees through the official websites.
Our processing charges will discussed through phone once you contact Nursing manthra whats app.
CGFNS verification from your nursing council and colleges, depends on your authority. This fee is additional to above amount.

Application Process:

1. CGFNS verification -CES professional report
2. Once CES report is ready next step is Finger print card. IDFPR- Finger print vendors list- contact any agency  and get email with instructions how to do finger printing
3. Get confirmation from illinois state police, will get an email with payemnt reciept and TCN number. TCN number required for NCLEX application process.
4. IDFPR -initial application check list-Registered nurse-continental testing
5. Select -state of illinois examinations-Registered professional nurse(RN)-make application fee
6. You will get mail from board that your documents are pending or everything is fine or not.
7. Send CES report, finger print receipt to continental testing
8. IDFPR account creation -Online service portal
9. Apply through Pearsonvue for NCLEX- Once all requirements received by continental testing they will communicate with pearsonvue. You will not get any mail notification for that.
10. Pearson vue —-shedule eam-NCLEX examination- Register with NCSBN-make payment
11. NCSBN will give you ATT and test validity information (3 months-test validity)
12. Choose NCLEX examination by schedule for exam.

13. once you pass exam-continental testing will send you official pass letter to your address along with instructions how to register for license. It took around 45 days to get official letter after my exam.

A cheque or DD in favor of Illinois board has to send along with this application . 50 USD cheque.

Will get active license within 10 working days.

Illinois RN License Renewal

Illinois RN licenses must be renewed every two years.

During each renewal cycle, nurses must complete:

• 20 hours of continuing education (CE)
• At least 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training.

Renewal of license has to do after 2 year which cost 80 USD-may 31st of even years of your license

Illinois Nursing License

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) provides several online tools to help nurses manage their licensing process. Internationally educated nurses applying for the NCLEX through Illinois may find the following links useful.

Apply for a License-https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/

Applicants who want to obtain a nursing license in Illinois must submit their application through the official IDFPR licensing portal. This portal allows candidates to apply for RN licensure by examination, endorsement, or renewal.

Print My License-https://idfpr.illinois.gov/fpr-applications/getmylicense/select.html

Licensed nurses can use the Print My License service to download or print a copy of their Illinois nursing license for employment or verification purposes.

License Renewal-https://idfpr.illinois.gov/renewals/defaultssl.html

Registered nurses in Illinois must renew their license every two years. The renewal process is completed online through the IDFPR system.

License Look-Uphttps://online-dfpr.micropact.com/lookup/licenselookup.aspx

The License Look-Up tool allows employers, healthcare organizations, and the public to verify the status of a nursing license issued in Illinois.

About the Author:

SHINCY GEORGE, RN,MSN(CARDIOTHROACIC NURSING), SCFHS-RN, DHA RN, MOH UAE RN, NCLEX RN (USA)
Founder – Nursing Manthra Academy
Helping internationally educated nurses -ASSISTING licensing pathways in Canada, USA, UAE and middle east, UK and other countries.