(225 ILCS 65/55-10) (was 225 ILCS 65/10-30)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)

Sec. 55-10. LPN licensure by examination.

(a) Each applicant who successfully meets the requirements of this Section is eligible for licensure as a licensed practical nurse.

(b) An applicant for licensure by examination to practice as a practical nurse is eligible for licensure when the following requirements are met:

(1) the applicant has submitted a completed written application on forms provided by the Department and fees as established by the Department;

(2) the applicant has graduated from a practical nursing education program approved by the Department or has been granted a certificate of completion of pre-licensure requirements from another United States jurisdiction;

(3) the applicant has successfully completed a licensure examination approved by the Department;

(4) (blank);

(5) the applicant has submitted to the criminal history records check required under Section 50-35 of this Act;

(6) the applicant has submitted 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; and

(7) the applicant has met all other requirements established by rule.

(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 under this Act within 3 years of the date of initial application, the application shall be denied. When an applicant's application is denied due to the failure to pass the examination within the 3-year period, that applicant must undertake an additional course of education as defined by rule prior to submitting a new application for licensure. Any new application must be accompanied by the required fee, evidence of meeting the requirements in force at the time of the new application, and evidence of completion of the additional course of education prescribed by rule.

An applicant may take and successfully complete a Department-approved examination in another jurisdiction. However, an applicant who has never been licensed previously in any jurisdiction that utilizes a Department-approved examination and who has taken and failed to pass the examination within 3 years after filing the application must submit proof of successful completion of a Department-authorized nursing education program or recompletion of an approved licensed practical nursing program prior to re-application.

(c) An applicant for licensure by examination shall have one year from the date of notification of 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) A licensed practical nurse applicant who passes the Department-approved licensure examination and has applied to the Department for licensure may obtain employment as a license-pending practical nurse and practice as delegated by a registered professional nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse or physician. An individual may be employed as a license-pending practical 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 practical 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 practical 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. This 3-month period may be extended as determined by rule.

(2) Receipt of the practical nurse license from the Department.

(3) Notification from the Department that the application for licensure has been denied.

(4) A request by the Department that the individual terminate practicing as a license-pending practical nurse until an official decision is made by the Department to grant or deny a practical nurse license.

(f) (Blank).

(g) All applicants for practical nurse licensure by examination who are graduates of nursing educational programs in a country other than the United States or 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 evidence of English proficiency, as defined by rule.

(h) (Blank).

(i) (Blank).

(j) (Blank).

(k) (Blank).

(l) (Blank).

(m) All applicants for practical nurse licensure have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed within 3 years from 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.

(Source: P.A. 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)