License requirements by state
What each board asks for at initial licensure and at renewal, step by step, for RN, APRN and prescribing credentials.
Informational guidance only. Confirm current requirements with the appropriate licensing authority before applying, renewing or practicing. Read the disclaimer
Illinois: APRN, initial licensure
Prepare the state-specific education, certification, application and practice documents below. Separate prescribing approvals appear under Prescriptive Authority and State Rx / CS.
NP application checklist
Submit the APRN application and fee with Illinois RN licensure, a qualifying graduate degree or postgraduate certificate and current accepted national certification. Complete the criminal-history records check and required out-of-state license verifications. Full-practice and controlled-substance credentials are additional applications.
- Timing
- Before initial state authorization
- Conditions
- Standard NP application. Additional documents apply to international education, reentry, discipline, name changes and other nonstandard routes.
NP practice and prescribing
Approved APRN-FPA licensees may practice without a written collaborative agreement in settings consistent with their national certification. FPA includes legend drugs and Schedule II–V authority with appropriate registrations. Benzodiazepines and Schedule II narcotics retain a physician-consultation requirement.
- Timing
- During practice
- Conditions
- IDFPR must grant the FPA designation. Special consultation must be recorded in the prescription monitoring program, with at least monthly patient discussions. Route and other restrictions apply to Schedule II narcotics.
4,000 Clinical hours + 250 education hours
The clinical experience follows initial national certification, is in the certification area and is completed in physician collaboration. Education or training must be in the certification area. Submit required attestations and receive the APRN-FPA designation.
- Timing
- Before independent practice or prescribing, as specified
- Conditions
- Clinical practice hours are not continuing-education hours. Board approval may be required.
Coverage and conditions
- Use the checklist for the standard NP route. International education, reentry, military pathways, older educational exceptions and disciplinary history can require additional board documents. Submit the board’s current application; this site does not submit it for you.
Maintained by The Multistate NP from board sources and updated on review. Confirm against the board’s current application before you file. National certification and federal DEA requirements are separate.