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Working in Illinois on an out-of-state nursing license

Last verified against Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

The five facts

Compact status
Bill pending
Endorsement fee
$50
Temporary permit
6 months or until the license issues, $25, issued within 14 days of a complete application (rule; secondary source).
Processing
Allow 6 weeks before inquiring about status.

Check your own licence against Illinois

Temporary permit

You need a Illinois license by endorsement. A temporary permit lets you start sooner.

  • Application fee: $50. Portal: IDFPR Online Services (migrating to CORE in 2026).
  • Temporary permit: 6 months or until the license issues, $25 — issued within 14 days of a complete application (rule; secondary source).
  • Permanent license: Allow 6 weeks before inquiring about status.
  • No state-mandated course at endorsement.
Earliest start
within 14 days of a complete application (rule; secondary source)
Fee
$50

Apply through IDFPR Online Services (migrating to CORE in 2026)

  • Ends on licensure, a disqualifying conviction, or out-of-state discipline.

Data as of September 2, 2026.

Full Illinois pageTrack the new license in Trust

Nothing you enter here is stored. Trust keeps credentials on your phone, not on our servers.

If you hold a multistate license

A multistate license does not help you here. Illinois is not a compact member, so practice in Illinois — including telehealth to a patient located there — requires a Illinois license by endorsement.

HB 4369 re-referred to Rules Committee March 27, 2026; stalled.

Licensure by endorsement in Illinois

  1. 01

    Open a IDFPR Online Services (migrating to CORE in 2026) account

    Create your IDFPR Online Services (migrating to CORE in 2026) account and start the RN licensure-by-endorsement application with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

  2. 02

    Request Nursys verification

    Request license verification through Nursys for every state that applies to you. Illinois accepts Nursys verification.

  3. 03

    Complete fingerprints and the background check

    Illinois requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check: ISP Livescan via a licensed vendor; out-of-state applicants mail a fingerprint card with form OOS-FP.

  4. 04

    Clear the course requirements

    Illinois mandates no additional course at endorsement.

  5. 05

    Pay the application fee

    The endorsement fee is $50. Confirm the amount on the board's fee page before you pay.

  6. 06

    Request the temporary permit

    Request the temporary permit: 6 months or until the license issues, $25, issued within 14 days of a complete application (rule; secondary source).

  7. 07

    Wait for the permanent license

    Allow 6 weeks before inquiring about status. Verify the license on the board's public lookup, then store the expiration in Trust.

Illinois requires a valid U.S. Social Security number on the endorsement application.

Lowest application fee of any state in this set.

IDFPR is moving license types to its new CORE system during 2026; LPN moved May 13, 2026 — check which system RN endorsement is on when you apply.

What it costs, all in

ItemAmount
Endorsement application$50
Temporary endorsement permit$25
Illinois State Police Livescan fingerprintingvaries
Nursys verification$30

How long it takes

Allow 6 weeks before inquiring about status.

The temporary permit is the difference between waiting and working: 6 months or until the license issues, $25, issued within 14 days of a complete application (rule; secondary source). Ends on licensure, a disqualifying conviction, or out-of-state discipline.

EMTs and paramedics

Illinois — EMS Compact: Not a member.

Illinois is not an EMS Compact member, so there is no privilege to practice. Apply for reciprocity through the Illinois state EMS office; most states ask for current NREMT certification and a background check.

How Trust works for EMS clinicians

After you’re licensed

A new license starts a new renewal clock. The Illinois RN renewal guide covers the cycle length, the CE the board counts, and the fee — read it once, then let Trust hold the date.

Add your Illinois license to Trust

Questions people ask

Is Illinois a compact state?

No. Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. HB 4369 re-referred to Rules Committee March 27, 2026; stalled.. You need a Illinois license by endorsement.

Can I work in Illinois with a multistate license from another state?

No. Illinois does not honor multistate privileges, so you apply for a Illinois license by endorsement before you work there.

How much does it cost to transfer an RN license to Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation endorsement fee is $50. Budget for the extras too: Temporary endorsement permit $25, Illinois State Police Livescan fingerprinting (varies), Nursys verification $30.

Does Illinois offer a temporary permit while my endorsement is pending?

Yes. 6 months or until the license issues, $25, issued within 14 days of a complete application (rule; secondary source). Ends on licensure, a disqualifying conviction, or out-of-state discipline.

How long does Illinois RN endorsement take?

Allow 6 weeks before inquiring about status.

Do I need fingerprints for a Illinois nursing license?

Yes. ISP Livescan via a licensed vendor; out-of-state applicants mail a fingerprint card with form OOS-FP

What courses does Illinois require before it issues an endorsement license?

Illinois mandates no additional course at endorsement.

Related states

All jurisdictions and the compact table

Sources

Last verified .