Section 1300.320  RN Licensure by Endorsement

a)         Each applicant who is licensed in another jurisdiction shall file a completed, signed application for licensure on the basis of endorsement, on forms supplied by the Division.  The application shall include:

1)         The fee required by Section 1300.30(a)(1);

2)         Proof of graduation from a nursing education program that meets the requirements of Section 1300.340;

3)         Proof of passage of an examination recognized by the Division, upon recommendation of the Board (i.e., National Council Licensure Examination for professional nurses, or State Board Test Pool Examination for professional nurses or practical nurses);

4)         Verification of fingerprint processing from ISP or its designated agent.  (Practical nurses licensed in Illinois are not required to be fingerprinted when applying for a license as a registered professional nurse.)  Applicants shall contact an Illinois-licensed fingerprint vendor for fingerprint processing.  Out-of-state residents may have their fingerprints taken by an out-of-state vendor but the fingerprints must be processed by an Illinois Livescan Vendor. Fingerprints shall be taken within the 60 days prior to application;

5)         For RN applicants who received education outside of the United States, a credentials evaluation report of the applicant's foreign nursing education from either the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Credentials Evaluation Service (CES), the Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES), or another credentialing service approved by the Division.  This requirement can be satisfied by providing proof of licensure in a state that requires such a report for initial licensure.

A)        To be accepted, the report must:

i)          Verify that the applicant has successfully completed  nursing education equivalent to education received in a US state or territory as determined by the Department, based upon receipt and review of official transcripts from the nursing education program bearing the school seal;

ii)         Indicate any subject matter deficiencies; and

iii)        Be in a form and manner acceptable to the Division.  The Division will not accept a credential report until it receives all relevant information required by this Section.

B)        The requirement for a credentials evaluation of foreign nursing education may be satisfied by the submission of proof of a certificate from the Certificate Program or the VisaScreen Program of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, provided that the certificate was based upon licensure in the applicants country of education;

C)        If the applicant's first language is not English, the applicant shall provide certification of passage of either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module.  For TOEFL, the minimum passing score on the paper-based test is 560, computer‑based test is 220, and internet-based test is 83.  For the IELTS Academic Module, the minimum passing score shall be 6.5 (overall score) and 7.0 (spoken band).  The Division may waive the requirement that the applicant pass the TOEFL or IELTS examination if the applicant submits verification of the successful completion of a nursing education program conducted in English or the passage of an approved licensing examination given in English;

D)        Applicants that have completed a minimum of 2 years of nursing education and have met the other requirements for those educated in another country may be approved for licensure. 

6)         Official transcripts of theory and clinical education prepared by an official of the military for a nurse applicant who has received his/her education in the military service.  Education must meet the standards for education set forth in Section 1300.340;

7)         Verification of licensure status from the jurisdiction in which the applicant was originally licensed, current licensure and any other jurisdiction in which the applicant has been actively practicing; and

8)         A certified translation for all credentials of education and licensure, if not in English.

b)         After filing the original application, any change of name must be supported by an affidavit satisfactory to the Division.

c)         Deficiencies in nursing theory and/or clinical practice may be removed by taking the required courses in an approved nursing education program.

d)         Compliance with the provisions of Section 1300.310(b)(3) for each RN applicant and shall be a requirement for Illinois nurse licensure by endorsement.

e)         Individuals applying for licensure by endorsement may apply to the Division, on forms provided by the Division, to receive a Temporary Endorsement Permit pursuant to Section 60-10 of the Act.  The permit shall allow the applicant to work pending the issuance of a license by endorsement.

1)         The temporary endorsement permit application shall include:

A)        A completed, signed endorsement application, along with the required endorsement licensure fee set forth in Section 1300.30(a)(3).  All supporting documents shall be submitted to the Division before a permanent license by endorsement is issued;

B)        Photocopies of all current active nursing licenses and/or temporary permits/licenses from other jurisdictions.  Current active licensure in at least one United States jurisdiction is required.  Each applicant's license will be checked on the Nurse System (NURSYS) disciplinary data bank to determine if any disciplinary action is pending on the applicant's file;

C)        Verification that fingerprints have been submitted to the Division or the Illinois Department of State Police or its designated agent; and

D)        The fee for a temporary permit as required in Section 1300.30(a)(3).

2)         The Division shall issue a temporary endorsement permit no later than 14 days after receipt of a completed application as set forth in subsection (e)(1).

3)         Temporary permits shall be terminated upon:

A)        The issuance of a permanent license by endorsement;

B)        Failure to complete the application process within 6 months from the date of issuance of the permit;

C)        A finding by the Division that the applicant has been convicted of any 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 nursing, within the last 5 years;

D)        A finding by the Division 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 is substantially equivalent to grounds in Illinois; or

E)        A finding by the Division that the applicant does not meet the licensure requirements for endorsement set forth in this Section.  The Division shall notify the applicant in writing of the termination.

4)         The Division shall notify the applicant by certified or registered mail of the intent to deny licensure pursuant to subsections (e)(3)(D) and (E) and/or Section 70-5 of the Act.

5)         A temporary permit shall be renewed beyond the 6-month period, upon recommendation of the Board and approval of the Director, due to hardship, defined as:

A)        Serving full-time in the Armed Forces;

B)        An incapacitating illness as documented by a currently licensed physician;

C)        Death of an immediate family member; or

D)        Extenuating circumstances beyond the applicant's control, as approved by the Director.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 228, effective January 4, 2021)