Section 1300.50 Restoration

a) A licensee seeking restoration of a license that has expired for 5 years or less shall have the license restored upon completion of all forms required by the Division, payment of the fees required by Section 1300.30, and completion of his or her CE requirement.

b) A licensee seeking restoration of a license that has been placed on inactive status for 5 years or less shall have the license restored upon completion of all forms required by the Division, payment of the current renewal fee set forth in Section 1300.30(b), and completion of his or her CE requirement.

c) A licensee seeking restoration of his or her license shall submit verification of fingerprint processing from the Illinois State Police (ISP), or its designated agent. 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.

d) A licensee seeking restoration of a licensed practical nurse license after it has expired or been placed on inactive status for more than 5 years shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, together with the restoration fee specified in Section 1300.30(c)(1), when restoring an expired license, or the current renewal fee set forth in Section 1300.30(b), when restoring an inactive license. The licensee shall also submit proof of completion of his or her current CE requirement set forth in Section 1300.130(a). The licensee shall also submit proof of fitness to practice, which includes one of the following:

1) Certification of active practice in another jurisdiction. This certification shall include a statement from the appropriate board or licensing authority in the other jurisdiction that the licensee was authorized to practice during the term of the active practice; or

2) An affidavit attesting to military service as provided in Section 55-20(c) of the Act. If application is made within 2 years after discharge, and if all other provisions of Section 55-10 of the Act are satisfied, the applicant will be required to pay the current renewal fee, but not the restoration fee; or

3) Proof of successful completion of one of the following:

A) A Division-approved LPN licensure examination;

B) A refresher course subject to Division approval.

e) A licensee seeking restoration of an RN license after it has expired or been placed on inactive status for more than 5 years shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, together with the restoration fee specified in Section 1300.30(c)(1), when restoring an expired license, or the current renewal fee set forth in Section 1300.30(b), when restoring an inactive license. The licensee shall also submit proof of completion of his or her current CE requirement as set forth in Section 1300.130(b). The licensee shall also submit proof of fitness to practice, which includes one of the following:

2) An affidavit attesting to military service as provided in Section 60-25(c) of the Act. If application is made within 2 years after discharge, and if all other provisions of Section 60-10 of the Act are satisfied, the applicant will be required to pay the current renewal fee, but not the restoration fee; or

3) Proof of the successful completion of one of the following:

A) A Division-approved RN licensure examination;

B) A refresher course subjected to Division approval.

f) A licensee seeking restoration of an APRN license after it has expired or been placed on inactive status for more than 5 years shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, together with the restoration fee specified in Section 1300.30(c)(1), when restoring an expired license, or the current renewal fee set forth in Section 1300.30(b), when restoring an inactive license. The licensee shall also submit proof of completion of his or her current CE requirements as set forth in Section 1300.130(c). The licensee shall also submit proof of fitness to practice, which includes one of the following:

2) An affidavit attesting to military service as provided in Section 65-20(c) of the Act. If application is made within 2 years after discharge, and if all other provisions of Section 65-5 of the Act are satisfied, the applicant will be required to pay the current renewal fee, but not the restoration fee; or

3) Verification of continued, current certification in the APRN's specialty prior to restoration.

g) Individuals applying for restoration of an inactive or non-renewed license may apply to the Division, on forms provided by the Division, to receive a temporary restoration permit that allows the applicant to work pending the issuance of a license by restoration.

1) The temporary restoration permit application shall include:

A) A completed signed restoration application, along with the restoration fee required by Section 1300.30(c)(1). All supporting documents shall be submitted to the Division before a permanent license by restoration shall be issued;

B) Either:

i) 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); or

ii) Verification of employment in nursing practice within the last 5 years in a United States jurisdiction;

C) Verification that fingerprints have been submitted to the Division or the ISP or its designated agent; and

D) The temporary restoration permit fee required by Section 1300.30(a)(2).

2) The Division will issue a temporary restoration permit no later than 14 days after receipt of a completed application as set forth in this Section.

3) Temporary permits shall be terminated upon:

A) The issuance of a permanent license by restoration;

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 within the last 5 years 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;

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) Upon notification that the Division intends to deny restoration of licensure for any reason.

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

5) A temporary permit shall be extended 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 Secretary.

h) When the accuracy of any submitted documentation, or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Division because of lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given, or a need for clarification, the licensee will be requested to:

1) Provide information as may be necessary; and/or

2) Appear for an oral interview before the Board to explain the relevance or sufficiency, clarify information, or clean up any discrepancies or conflicts in information. Upon recommendation of the Board and approval by the Division, an applicant shall have the license restored.

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