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The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (1-888-4REGUL8) in collaboration with the Illinois Center for Nursing (1-888-NURSE07) hold authority over the issuance of licenses to qualified advanced practice nurses (APNs) practicing in the state.
Licenses are issued for four categories of advanced practice nurses in Illinois:
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
- Certified nurse practitioner (CNP)
- Certified clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Illinois Job Statistics
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You must hold a current, unencumbered Illinois RN license to be eligible for APN licensure.
- If you have never held an RN license in Illinois or any other state, complete the Registered Professional Nurse Examination Packet.
- If you are a licensed RN in another state, complete the Registered Professional Nurse Endorsement Packet.
- If your Illinois RN license has expired, obtain the Registered Professional Nurse Restoration Packet by contacting the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation at 1-888-4REGUL8.
- If you completed nursing education in another country, your academic credentials must be evaluated by the Credentials Evaluation Service of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools prior to applying for Illinois RN licensure.
With an active Illinois RN license, follow these steps to apply for APN licensure.
Step 1. Get Your Graduate Degree
To be eligible for APN licensure, you must complete a graduate-level or higher nursing program in one of the advanced practice nursing clinical specialty categories.
The graduate program you select must be accredited by an institutional, specialized, or programmatic accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE).
In-state graduate programs that have been pre-approved by the Division of Professional Regulation are listed here.
Division of Professional Regulation-approved specialty area nursing administrator, nurse leader, and CNM programs accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) are listed here.
Course Requirements
According to the Illinois Nurse Practice Act’s APN scope of practice, APN education should include the following courses:
- Advanced nursing patient assessment and diagnosis
- Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic and therapeutic tests
- Ordering and using nursing medical, therapeutic, and corrective measures in treatment
- End-of-life and palliative care
- Advanced counseling
- Patient education
- Health education
- Patient advocacy
- Advanced pharmacology
Prescriptive Authority
If you wish to prescribe controlled substances, under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, you must have completed 45 graduate contact hours in pharmacology as part of your graduate program.
To maintain prescriptive authority specific to controlled substances, you’ll be required to complete an additional 5 graduate-level contact hours in pharmacology every year thereafter.
Specialization
Depending upon your eventual career goal as an APN, your graduate studies may involve a specialized program, concentrations, tracks and/or coursework. Concentrations that may be available in your graduate nursing program include Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Administrator, Nursing Education, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Midwife, as well as options for specific patient population foci.
Some aspiring APNs choose to go for their DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) degree or receive a PhD in Nursing.
Temporary Permit
If you have completed your graduate nursing studies but have not yet taken the national certification examination, you may be eligible to receive a temporary permit. This allows you to work as an APN for as many as six months, provided you have registered to take the national certification exam. More information on this option is available on the APN Licensure Application.
Step 2. Earn Your National Certification
The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation requires that you earn your national certification prior to being issued APN licensure. Each general area of specialty category allows for certification from one or more national certification organization. The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation also recognizes specialty area and patient population focus certification. You must meet your chosen agency’s education, experience, and examination requirements in order to become nationally certified.
Maintaining national certification is a condition of maintaining Illinois APN licensure, and requires meeting qualifications for continuing education set forth by your national certification agency.
Advanced Practice Nursing Designation Options
The Department of Financial & Professional Regulation licenses APNs in these general categories:
- Certified nurse practitioner (NP)
- Certified nurse-midwife (CNM)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
Certification Programs
These national certification agencies are recognized in Illinois for APN licensure purposes:
- American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB):
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- National Board of Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA):
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certification Board of Urologic Nurses & Associates (CBUNA):
- Urologic Nurse Practitioner (UNP)
- Urologic Clinical Nurse Specialist (UCNS)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC):
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
- Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner PNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist in Child & Adolescent Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing (PMHCNS)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing (PMHCNS)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology Nursing (GCNS)
- Cardiac and Vascular Nurse (RN-BC)
- Ambulatory Care Nursing (RN-BC)
- Diabetes
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP):
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- National Certification Corporation (NCC):
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Women’s Health OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)
- Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
- Low Risk Neonatal Nursing (RNC-LRN)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC)
- Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB):
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (ACPNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (PCPNP)
- Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
- Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)
- Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS)
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN):
- Adult, Pediatric & Neonatal Critical Care Nurse Specialist (CCNS)
- Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB):
- Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse – Advanced (CRRN)
- Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC):
- Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN)
- Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON)
- American College of Cardiovascular Nurses (ACCN):
- Cardiovascular Critical Care Nurse (CVRN-BC)
- American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN):
- Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN)
- American Board of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.
- Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist (COHN-S)
- American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation (AHNCC):
- Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (AHN-BC)
- American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc:
- Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN)
- Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)
- American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses (ASPSN):
- Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN)
- HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB):
- AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN)
- Board of Certification of Emergency Nurses (BCEN):
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)
- Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN)
- Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)
- Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI):
- Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA)
- American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN):
- Certified Gastroenterological Registered Nurse (CGRN)
- Dermatology Nursing Certification Board (DNCB):
- Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC)
- International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE):
- International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
- International Nurses Society on Addictions (INTNSA):
- Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN)
- Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation (INCC):
- Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI)
- National Board for Certification of School Nurses, Inc. (NBCSN):
- National Certified School Nurse (NCSN)
- National Board of Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses:
- Advanced Practice Hospice and Palliative Nurse (APHCN)
- National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE):
- Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
- National Certifying Board for Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (NCBORN):
- Ophthalmic Registered Nurse (O-RN)
- Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT):
- Certified Hemodialysis Nurse (CHN)
- Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse (CPDN)
- Orthopaedic Nursing Certification Board (ONCB):
- Orthopaedic Clinical Nurse Specialist – Certified (OCNS-C)
- Vascular Nursing Certification Board (VNCB):
- Cardiac Vascular Nurse (CVN)
- Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Certification Board (WOCNCB):
- Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse, Advanced Practice (CWOCN-AP)
- Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse, Advanced Practice (CWON-AP)
- Certified Wound Continence Nurse, Advanced Practice (CWCN-AP)
- Certified Ostomy Continence Nurse, Advanced Practice (COCN-AP)
Contact the national certification agency representing the specialty in which you wish to become certified for further information.
Step 3. Apply for Your APN License
Regardless of your APN category, you will use the Advanced Practice Nurse Licensure Application. Your application must include the following:
- Indication of the APN category for which you are applying
- Application fees ($125 for the APN application, plus additional fees for each category) payable to the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation
- Your Illinois RN License number
- Copy of your current national certification
- Official, sealed college transcript showing receipt of a graduate degree in your category
If you have been licensed in another state in the past five years, you must also complete Document CT-APN, (included within the application packet). This must be forwarded to the Board of Nursing in any state in which you have practiced in the past five years. The Board(s) must then complete the document and return it to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
If you are seeking APN licensure in more than one category, your transcript must show that your graduate education would support an additional license in another category. You must also submit proof of national certification in every category in which you wish to practice.
Send your application and all supporting documentation to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, ATTN: Division of Professional Regulation, P.O. Box 7007, Springfield, IL 62791.
Prescriptive Authority
If you are seeking an APN mid-level practitioner controlled substances license, complete Mid-Level Practitioner Controlled Substances License application (included in the application packet) and include the additional $5 licensing fee made payable to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
Your collaborating physician must also complete the Notice of Delegated Prescriptive Authority for Controlled Substances (included in the application packet) to attest to an established collaborative agreement that will support your prescriptive authority.
Criminal History Background Check
As part of your APN application, you must fill out Document CCA, Health Care Workers Charged With or Convicted of Criminal Acts (included in the application packet). This authorizes the Department to investigate information pertaining to certain convictions or charges.
Step 4. Renewing Your License
Your APN license expires on May 31 of every even-numbered year and may be renewed online.
At the time of your APN license renewal, you will be asked to submit a copy of your national certification, copy of your active RN license, proof of completion of 50 hours of CE completed in the past two years, and renewal fees, payable to the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
If documents required for renewal are not accepted by the online license renewal system, send them to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, ATTN: Division of Professional Regulation, P.O. Box 7007, Springfield, IL 62791.
Continuing Education
You must complete 50 contact hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain your APN license in Illinois. If you hold more than one APN license, you need only complete 50 total contact hours of CE.
Additionally, you must fulfill the CE requirements of your national certification agency. Contact your agency for details:
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses
- National Certification Corporation
- Pediatric Nurse Certification Board
- National Board of Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists
- American Midwifery Certification Board
- Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board
- Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation
- American College of Cardiovascular Nurses
- American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
- American Board of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.
- American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation
- American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc.
- American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses
- HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board
- Board of Certification of Emergency Nurses
- Competency and Credentialing Institute
- American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses
- Dermatology Nursing Certification Board
- International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
- International Nurses Society on Addictions
- Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation
- National Board for Certification of School Nurses, Inc.
- National Board of Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses
- National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators
- National Certifying Board for Ophthalmic Registered Nurses
- Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology
- Orthopaedic Nursing Certification Board
- Vascular Nursing Certification Board
- Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Certification Board
Proof of active, current national certification is required for APN license renewal.
Expired License Restoration Application
If your APN license has expired or been on inactive status for more than five years, you may apply for its restoration. Use the Advanced Practice Nurse Licensure Application and fill out RS Form (Restoration) included in the packet.
You must provide proof of completing 50 contact hours of CE in the past two years, proof of current national certification, verification of any licensure from other states, and the restoration fee, payable to the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
Advanced Practice Nurse Associations in Illinois
Illinois APNs enjoy the option to join a number of professional organizations that provide continuing education and advocacy services to advanced practice nurses in the state:
- Central Illinois Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (CISGNA)
- Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists (IANA)
- Illinois Nurses Association
- Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing
- Midwives of Illinois, ACNM-IV
Illinois Nurse Practitioner Salary
Being a nurse practitioner (NP) in Illinois pays well. On average, NPs make six figures: $112,060 per year.
The top 10 percent of NPs make even more, bringing in at least $144,620 annually. Even in Chicago, that income will get you far.
Registered Nurse Salary
In Illinois, registered nurses (RNs) make an average $74,560 per year. If you hope to break six figures with this title, you’re in luck. The top RNs in the state make $103,210 or better annually.
Nursing Instructors and Teachers Salary
If you want to teach, nursing instructors in Illinois make $74,870 per year. That will do more than get you by in a state like Illinois.
Nurse Administrator Salary
(Includes Nurse Managers, Directors, and Chief Nursing Officers)
Have ambitions to manage a team or department? Nurse administrators make a pretty penny in Illinois. The average annual salary for these folks is $124,940 per year. As they move up in their careers, admins report making at least $146,880 annually.
Nurse Anesthetists Salary
Becoming an anesthetist will set you up well in life. In Illinois, the average salary for a nurse anesthetist is $194,950 per year. What do the top earners make? More than what the Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports – so, well over $208,000.
Nurse Midwives Salary
Want to deliver babies while making over $100,000 a year? Move to Illinois and become a midwife. Midwives in this state report making $109,310 annually. That’s a great living. If you move into the top 10 percent, you could end up making at least $142,080 per year.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for 1) Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives; 2) Medical and Health Services Managers (Nurse Administrators); 3) Registered Nurses; and 4) Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. 2019 US Census Bureau figures for state median household income provided for comparison. Data Accessed December 2021.