Transfer Your Nursing License to Illinois: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my nursing license transfer to Illinois?
Illinois is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so no out-of-state license — multistate or single-state — authorizes practice there. Every incoming RN applies to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Board of Nursing) for licensure by endorsement: $50–$75 ($50 non-refundable endorsement fee, or $75 with the optional 6-month temporary permit (+$25); fingerprint fee paid separately to a licensed livescan vendor), no verified processing time, and the NCLEX is not retaken.
Moving to Illinois from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Plan the timeline first. Because Illinois recognizes no outside license, you cannot legally work a single shift there until its own license (or temporary permit, where offered) is in hand — and unlike compact states, there is no shortcut for travel or telehealth work either.
Non-compact state — NLC multistate licenses are not valid in Illinois; out-of-state RNs must be licensed by endorsement through IDFPR.
Illinois requirements at a glance
| Exam | NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys |
|---|---|
| Fees | $50–$75 ($50 non-refundable endorsement fee, or $75 with the optional 6-month temporary permit (+$25); fingerprint fee paid separately to a licensed livescan vendor) |
| Processing time | no processing range stated in IDFPR application materials |
Comparing Illinois with other states? Check RN endorsement requirements by state in the Endorsement Requirement Finder.
Step by step
- Confirm Illinois's current requirements on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Board of Nursing) website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Board of Nursing) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Illinois State Police or its designated agent.
- Hold a current license in at least one other U.S. jurisdiction.
- Request license verification through Nursys (or the CT-NUR form if your state does not participate).
- Submit proof of nursing education (ED form signed by your program director or official sealed transcripts).
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Illinois:
Nearby states
Nursing license transfer into the states bordering Illinois:
Illinois for other professions
- Cosmetology / Barber in Illinois
- Real Estate in Illinois
- Contractor in Illinois
- Teaching in Illinois
- CPA / Accounting in Illinois
- Electrician in Illinois
- Plumber in Illinois
- Engineering in Illinois
- Pharmacy in Illinois
- Physical Therapy in Illinois
- Psychology in Illinois
- Counseling in Illinois
- Social Work in Illinois
- Occupational Therapy in Illinois
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake the NCLEX to get licensed in Illinois?
No. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys. No state requires a second NCLEX.
Is Illinois in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
No. Illinois does not participate as of 2026-10-29, so compact multistate licenses carry no practice privilege there.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- IDFPR — Registered Nurse Instruction Sheet (Examination/Endorsement/Restoration), rev. 4/24 ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- IDFPR — Nurses profession page ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
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