Illinois Nursing Licensing Guide
Everything CNAs, LPNs, RNs, CMTs & HHAs need to get licensed in Illinois
Illinois is not a compact state. Licensing is split between two agencies. And the rules differ by role. If you’re a nurse coming from out of state, or a staffing agency placing nurses here, getting any of this wrong costs you weeks.
This page gives you the complete picture in one place.
Who Regulates What in Illinois?
Two agencies. Two completely different processes.
| Your Role | Regulated By |
|---|---|
| RN, LPN, CMT | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) |
| CNA, HHA | Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) via the Healthcare Worker Registry |
IDFPR, For RNs, LPNs, CMTs
| Application Type | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Endorsement (out-of-state transfer) | 4–8 weeks |
| Initial licensure post-NCLEX | 2–4 weeks |
| Online renewal | 2–4 weeks |
The most common delay cause: incomplete applications. Missing license verification from your prior state holds everything up. Submit your Nursys verification request the same day you file with IDFPR.
IDPH / HWR, For CNAs, HHAs
The Healthcare Worker Registry is IDPH’s mandatory listing for CNAs and HHAs. Before any CNA or HHA can be hired in Illinois, employers must verify their HWR status. It also records any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation.
What does your role actually require in Illinois?
| Role | Licensing Body | Exam | Renewal | CE Required | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | IDPH / HWR | NNAAP | 2 years | 12 hrs/year (in-service) | HWR, mandatory |
| LPN | IDFPR | NCLEX-PN | 2 years | 20 hrs/cycle | None |
| RN | IDFPR | NCLEX-RN | 2 years | 20 hrs/cycle | None |
| CMT | IDFPR / IDPH | State written + skills | 2 years | 20 hrs/cycle | HWR (LTC settings) |
| HHA | IDPH / HWR | IDPH-approved training | Ongoing | Federal standards | HWR, mandatory |
Sources: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300
Coming from a compact state? Read this first
Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
The NLC lets nurses licensed in one compact state practice in any other compact state on a single multistate license. 41+ states are members. Illinois is not one of them, and there’s no active legislation to change that.
What this means practically:
- A compact multistate license from Texas, Florida, Ohio, or any other compact state does not permit practice in Illinois.
- Every nurse working in Illinois needs a standalone Illinois license, no exceptions.
- For staffing agencies: verifying a compact license is not enough. You need a valid Illinois license number confirmed before placement.
The one upside: Illinois-licensed nurses who relocate to a compact state can apply for a multistate license through their new home state once residency is established.
Moving to Illinois? Here’s how to transfer your license
Illinois doesn’t do reciprocity. Every out-of-state applicant goes through the endorsement process regardless of which state they’re coming from.
RN and LPN Endorsement (IDFPR)
- Create an account at IDFPR myLicense Office
- Complete the endorsement application and pay the fee, RN: $50 | LPN: $40 (verify current fees at IDFPR)
- Request license verification from your current state via Nursys, most states transmit this directly to IDFPR electronically
- Submit nursing school transcripts if requested
- Complete Illinois State Police fingerprint background check if required
- Track your application through myLicense Office, expect 4–8 weeks for a complete application
CNA Endorsement / Reciprocity (IDPH)
To transfer a CNA certification from another state to Illinois:
- Your out-of-state certification must be current and in good standing
- No substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on your record
- Training hours must meet federal minimums (75 hours). Illinois requires 120 hours for new in-state applicants, verify with IDPH if your hours qualify for reciprocity
Steps:
- Submit the Illinois HWR Reciprocity Application to IDPH
- Provide proof of training completion
- Complete a background check if required
Source: IDPH HWR
HHA, Portability Note
HHA certifications don’t transfer as cleanly as CNA certifications. You must complete training through an IDPH-approved Illinois program or demonstrate equivalency accepted by IDPH. Contact IDPH before assuming your out-of-state HHA certification transfers.
→ HHA Illinois Licensing Guide
CE rules that catch nurses off guard in Illinois
| Role | Hours per Cycle | Cycle | Mandatory Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN | 20 contact hours | 2 years | 1 hr sexual harassment prevention |
| LPN | 20 contact hours | 2 years | 1 hr sexual harassment prevention |
| CMT | 20 contact hours | 2 years | 1 hr medication administration + 1 hr sexual harassment prevention |
| CNA | 12 hrs in-service | Annual | Employer-provided, per 42 CFR 483.35 |
| HHA | Per agency | Ongoing | Federal Medicare / Medicaid standards |
Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1300
The Sexual Harassment Prevention Requirement
Since January 1, 2020, the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (Public Act 101-0221) requires all IDFPR licensees, RNs, LPNs, CMTs, to complete at least 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training per renewal cycle. It counts toward your CE total. It’s not optional.
Approved CE Providers
IDFPR conducts random CE audits at renewal. Use recognized providers and keep your completion certificates.
| Provider | Website |
|---|---|
| American Nurses Association (ANA) | nursingworld.org |
| Nurse.com CE Center | nurse.com/ce |
| Relias Learning | relias.com |
| Medscape Nursing | medscape.com/nurses |
| AANP | aanp.org |
Illinois Healthcare Worker Registry (HWR)
The HWR is IDPH’s mandatory database for CNAs and HHAs. It’s not optional, it’s not just a formality, it’s a legal requirement that governs employment eligibility.
Who Needs HWR Listing?
| Role | HWR Required? |
|---|---|
| CNA | Yes, before any employment |
| HHA | Yes, for Medicare / Medicaid-certified agencies |
| CMT | Yes, in long-term care settings |
| RN / LPN | No |
Employer and Agency Obligations
Under 210 ILCS 45/3-206, employers at long-term care facilities and home health agencies must:
- Check the HWR before hiring any CNA or HHA, not after, before
- Refuse to hire any worker with a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation
- Report findings of abuse or neglect to IDPH for entry into the registry
For staffing agencies specifically: HWR verification needs to happen before every assignment placement, not just at initial hire. Keep verification records.
Background Check Requirement
CNA applicants who completed training after January 1, 2012 must submit fingerprints through the Illinois State Police Livescan system, one-time requirement for new certifications.
Everything about renewing your Illinois nursing license
Illinois nursing licenses renew on a 2-year cycle tied to your birth month. IDFPR sends email reminders but renewal is your responsibility.
| Role | Cycle | Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| RN | 2 years | Last day of birth month |
| LPN | 2 years | Last day of birth month |
| CMT | 2 years | Last day of birth month |
| CNA (HWR) | Maintain active employment | Lapsed after 24 months inactive, retest may be required |
| HHA | Maintain through active employment | Agency compliance standards apply |
How to Renew (IDFPR, RN, LPN, CMT)
- Log in to IDFPR myLicense Office
- Select “Renew a License” and choose your license type
- Attest to CE completion, have your certificates ready in case of audit
- Pay the renewal fee, RN: $50 | LPN: $40 | CMT: $40 (verify at IDFPR)
- Save your renewal confirmation as proof of active status
Late Renewal
- Illinois allows late renewal up to 5 years past expiration
- Standard renewal fee plus a late penalty applies
- Practicing on an expired license violates 225 ILCS 65, this is an enforcement area, not just a technicality
Expired more than 5 years? You’ll need formal reinstatement rather than renewal, additional CE documentation and IDFPR review may be required.
Role-Specific Licensing Guides
This page gives you the Illinois-wide picture. Each role has a dedicated guide with exact steps, exam details, fees, and renewal walkthroughs.
| Role | Guide covers | Regulatory body |
|---|---|---|
| CNA Illinois → | NNAAP exam, 120-hour training, HWR registration, and endorsement | IDPH / HWR |
| LPN Illinois → | NCLEX-PN, IDFPR application, CE, and endorsement | IDFPR |
| RN Illinois → | NCLEX-RN, IDFPR application, CE, and compact implications | IDFPR |
| CMT Illinois → | State exam, dual IDFPR / IDPH registration, and CE | IDFPR / IDPH |
| HHA Illinois → | IDPH training, HWR listing, and Medicare / Medicaid rules | IDPH / HWR |