Registered Nurse / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the Illinois data shows for Registered Nurses

To practice as a registered nurse in Illinois, the state licensing board requires 2,919 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Illinois's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

The initial price tag is $50, and renewal costs $40 every 2 years. Applications usually take around 3 weeks to process once complete. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 20 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, registered nurses should know: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Registered Nurse · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,919 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$236
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$83/yr
$165 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,919 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$236
Renewal Fee
$165
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
3 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires 2919 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-RN), and an initial fee of $236. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Illinois? ▼
Certification as a registered nurse in Illinois means clearing the state's checklist: 2919 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Registered Nurse licenses generally reciprocate as follows: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for registered nurse licensing in Illinois. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Illinois? ▼
Illinois ties continued registered nurse licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $165 renewal fee.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Illinois? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Illinois is $50. The renewal fee is $40 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 3 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Illinois? ▼
In Illinois, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 3 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Illinois's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.