225 ILCS 65/55-11

(225 ILCS 65/55-11)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)

Sec. 55-11. LPN licensure by endorsement.

(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 endorsement who is a licensed practical nurse licensed by examination under the laws of another United States jurisdiction or a foreign jurisdiction is eligible for licensure when the following requirements are met:

(1) the applicant has submitted a completed written application on forms supplied 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;

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

(3) the applicant has been issued a licensed practical nurse license by another United States or foreign jurisdiction, which shall be verified, as defined by rule;

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

(5) the applicant has met all other requirements as established by the Department by rule.

(c) An applicant licensed in another state or territory who is applying for licensure and has received her or his education in a country other than the United States or its territories shall have her or his 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 education 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.

(d) A licensed practical nurse who holds an unencumbered license in good standing in another United States jurisdiction and who has applied for practical nurse licensure under this Act by endorsement may be issued a temporary permit if satisfactory proof of such licensure in another jurisdiction is presented to the Department. The Department shall not issue an applicant a temporary practical nurse permit until it is satisfied that the applicant holds an active, unencumbered license in good standing in another jurisdiction. If the applicant holds more than one current active license or one or more active temporary permits from another jurisdiction, the Department may not issue a temporary permit until the Department is satisfied that each current active license held by the applicant is unencumbered. The temporary permit, which shall be issued no later than 14 working days following receipt by the Department of an application for the temporary permit, shall be granted upon the submission of all of the following to the Department:

(1) a completed application for licensure as a practical nurse;

(2) proof of a current, active license in at least one other jurisdiction of the United States and proof that each current active license or temporary permit held by the applicant within the last 5 years is unencumbered;

(3) a signed and completed application for a temporary permit; and

(4) the required temporary permit fee.

(e) The Department may refuse to issue an applicant a temporary permit authorized pursuant to this Section if, within 14 working days following its receipt of an application for a temporary permit, the Department determines that:

(1) the applicant has been convicted of a crime under the laws of a jurisdiction of the United States that is: (i) a felony; or (ii) a misdemeanor directly related to the practice of the profession, within the last 5 years;

(2) the applicant has had a license or permit related to the practice of practical nursing revoked, suspended, or placed on probation by another jurisdiction within the last 5 years and at least one of the grounds for revoking, suspending, or placing on probation is the same or substantially equivalent to grounds in Illinois; or

(3) the Department intends to deny licensure by endorsement.

(f) The Department may revoke a temporary permit issued pursuant to this Section if it determines that:

(1) the applicant has been convicted of a crime under the law of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor directly related to the practice of the profession, within the last 5 years;

(2) 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, and at least one of the grounds for revoking, suspending, or placing on probation is the same or substantially equivalent to grounds for disciplinary action under this Act; or

(3) the Department intends to deny licensure by endorsement.

(g) A temporary permit shall expire 6 months after the date of issuance. Further renewal may be granted by the Department in hardship cases, as defined by rule and upon approval of the Secretary. However, a temporary permit shall automatically expire upon issuance of a valid license under this Act or upon notification that the Department intends to deny licensure, whichever occurs first.

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