(225 ILCS 65/60-10)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2018)
Sec. 60-10. Qualifications for RN licensure.
(a) Each applicant who successfully meets the requirements of this Section shall be entitled to licensure as a registered professional nurse.
(b) An applicant for licensure by examination to practice as a registered professional nurse must do each of the following:
(1) Submit a completed written application, on forms
provided by the Department, and fees, as established by the Department.
(2) Have graduated from a professional nursing
education program approved by the Department or have been granted a certificate of completion of pre-licensure requirements from another United States jurisdiction.
(3) Successfully complete a licensure examination
approved by the Department.
(4) Have not violated the provisions of this Act
concerning the grounds for disciplinary action. The Department may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant, but such a conviction may not operate as an absolute bar to licensure.
(5) Submit to the criminal history records check
required under Section 50-35 of this Act.
(6) Submit, either to the Department or its
designated testing service, a fee covering the cost of providing the examination. Failure to appear for the examination on the scheduled date at the time and place specified after the applicant's application for examination has been received and acknowledged by the Department or the designated testing service shall result in the forfeiture of the examination fee.
(7) Meet all other requirements established by the
Department by rule. An applicant for licensure by examination may take the Department-approved examination in another jurisdiction.
(b-5) If an applicant for licensure by examination neglects, fails, or refuses to take an examination or fails to pass an examination for a license within 3 years after filing the application, the application shall be denied. The applicant may make a new application accompanied by the required fee, evidence of meeting the requirements in force at the time of the new application, and proof of the successful completion of at least 2 additional years of professional nursing education.
(c) An applicant for licensure by examination shall have one year after the date of notification of the successful completion of the examination to apply to the Department for a license. If an applicant fails to apply within one year, the applicant shall be required to retake and pass the examination unless licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States.
(d) An applicant for licensure by examination who passes the Department-approved licensure examination for professional nursing may obtain employment as a license-pending registered nurse and practice under the direction of a registered professional nurse or an advanced practice nurse until such time as he or she receives his or her license to practice or until the license is denied. In no instance shall any such applicant practice or be employed in any management capacity. An individual may be employed as a license-pending registered nurse if all of the following criteria are met:
(1) He or she has completed and passed the
Department-approved licensure exam and presents to the employer the official written notification indicating successful passage of the licensure examination.
(2) He or she has completed and submitted to the
Department an application for licensure under this Section as a registered professional nurse.
(3) He or she has submitted the required licensure
fee.
(4) He or she has met all other requirements
established by rule, including having submitted to a criminal history records check.
(e) The privilege to practice as a license-pending registered nurse shall terminate with the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) Three months have passed since the official date
of passing the licensure exam as inscribed on the formal written notification indicating passage of the exam. The 3-month license pending period may be extended if more time is needed by the Department to process the licensure application.
(2) Receipt of the registered professional nurse
license from the Department.
(3) Notification from the Department that the
application for licensure has been refused.
(4) A request by the Department that the individual
terminate practicing as a license-pending registered nurse until an official decision is made by the Department to grant or deny a registered professional nurse license.
(f) An applicant for registered professional nurse licensure by endorsement who is a registered professional nurse licensed by examination under the laws of another state or territory of the United States must do each of the following:
(1) Submit a completed written application, on forms
supplied by the Department, and fees as established by the Department.
(2) Have graduated from a registered professional
nursing education program approved by the Department.
(3) Submit verification of licensure status directly
from the United States jurisdiction of licensure, if applicable, as defined by rule.
(4) Submit to the criminal history records check
required under Section 50-35 of this Act.
(5) Meet all other requirements as established by
the Department by rule.
(g) Pending the issuance of a license under this Section, the Department may grant an applicant a temporary license to practice nursing as a registered professional nurse if the Department is satisfied that the applicant holds an active, unencumbered license in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction. If the applicant holds more than one current active license or one or more active temporary licenses from another jurisdiction, the Department may not issue a temporary license until the Department is satisfied that each current active license held by the applicant is unencumbered. The temporary license, which shall be issued no later than 14 working days after receipt by the Department of an application for the temporary license, shall be granted upon the submission of all of the following to the Department:
(1) A completed application for licensure as a
registered professional nurse.
(2) Proof of a current, active license in at least
one other jurisdiction of the United States and proof that each current active license or temporary license held by the applicant within the last 5 years is unencumbered.
(3) A completed application for a temporary license.
(4) The required temporary license fee.
(h) The Department may refuse to issue an applicant a temporary license authorized pursuant to this Section if, within 14 working days after its receipt of an application for a temporary license, the Department determines that:
(1) the applicant has been convicted of a crime
under the laws of a jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor directly related to the practice of the profession, within the last 5 years;
(2) the applicant has had a license or permit
related to the practice of nursing revoked, suspended, or placed on probation by another jurisdiction within the last 5 years, if at least one of the grounds for revoking, suspending, or placing on probation is the same or substantially equivalent to grounds for disciplinary action under this Act; or
(3) the Department intends to deny licensure by
endorsement.
(i) The Department may revoke a temporary license issued pursuant to this Section if it determines any of the following:
(1) That the applicant has been convicted of a crime
under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor directly related to the practice of the profession, within the last 5 years.
(2) That within the last 5 years, the applicant has
had a license or permit related to the practice of nursing revoked, suspended, or placed on probation by another jurisdiction, if at least one of the grounds for revoking, suspending, or placing on probation is the same or substantially equivalent to grounds for disciplinary action under this Act.
(3) That it intends to deny licensure by endorsement.
(j) A temporary license issued under this Section shall expire 6 months after the date of issuance. Further renewal may be granted by the Department in hardship cases, as defined by rule and upon approval of the Secretary. However, a temporary license shall automatically expire upon issuance of the Illinois license or upon notification that the Department intends to deny licensure, whichever occurs first.
(k) All applicants for registered professional nurse licensure have 3 years after the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed within 3 years after the date of application, the application shall be denied, the fee forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.
(l) All applicants for registered nurse licensure by examination or endorsement who are graduates of practical nursing educational programs in a country other than the United States and its territories shall have their nursing education credentials evaluated by a Department-approved nursing credentialing evaluation service. No such applicant may be issued a license under this Act unless the applicant's program is deemed by the nursing credentialing evaluation service to be equivalent to a professional nursing education program approved by the Department. An applicant who has graduated from a nursing educational program outside of the United States or its territories and whose first language is not English shall submit certification of passage of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), as defined by rule. The Department may, upon recommendation from the nursing evaluation service, waive the requirement that the applicant pass the TOEFL examination if the applicant submits verification of the successful completion of a nursing education program conducted in English. The requirements of this subsection (l) may be satisfied by the showing of proof of a certificate from the Certificate Program or the VisaScreen Program of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
(m) An applicant licensed in another state or territory who is applying for licensure and has received her or his education in a country other than the United States or its territories shall have her or his nursing education credentials evaluated by a Department-approved nursing credentialing evaluation service. No such applicant may be issued a license under this Act unless the applicant's program is deemed by the nursing credentialing evaluation service to be equivalent to a professional nursing education program approved by the Department. An applicant who has graduated from a nursing educational program outside of the United States or its territories and whose first language is not English shall submit certification of passage of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), as defined by rule. The Department may, upon recommendation from the nursing evaluation service, waive the requirement that the applicant pass the TOEFL examination if the applicant submits verification of the successful completion of a nursing education program conducted in English or the successful passage of an approved licensing examination given in English. The requirements of this subsection (m) may be satisfied by the showing of proof of a certificate from the Certificate Program or the VisaScreen Program of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
(Source: P.A. 95-639, eff. 10-5-07.)
Sections: Previous 60-5 60-10 60-15 60-20 60-25 60-30 60-35 60-40 Next
Last modified: February 18, 2015