INTIAL NCLEX-RN APPLICATION - ILLINOIS STATE

Like most states, Illinois requires foreign nursing graduates to go through the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service. CGFNS must receive certain documents from your nursing school and local licensing authority in order for them to review your credentials and make sure it is up to par with the Nursing Education standards in the US. Once CGFNS completes the review, an electronic copy of the report will be sent to Illinois Board of Nursing.

In order to be deemed eligible to take the NCLEX, you must have a valid CES report from CGFNS, a completed criminal background check and have submitted an RN application through Continental Testing Services, Inc. Once deemed eligible, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX for a maximum of 3 times within a three-year period from the date your RN application through Continental Testing Services was submitted.

Once an applicant is deemed eligible to take the NCLEX, the Pearson Vue registration must be submitted in order for the Board of Nursing to release the ATT or Authority to Take, which will be used to schedule the exam.  

Once the ATT has been released, it will only be valid for 6 months which means you will need to take the NCLEX within the validity period of your ATT. You will be able to pick a testing center as well as the date and time of your exam. 

 Your NCLEX-RN result will be available 48 hours after taking the examination. 

Congratulations, you passed the NCLEX-RN examination!  Unlike most states, Illinois requires you to submit a license application in order for them to process and issue your RN license.  After passing the NCLEX, Illinois will send the license application form via mail.  Once that license application form is completed, it can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks for the Board of Nursing to issue your license.

It may seem challenging but do not worry! That's exactly the reason why we are here.  The information below, will provide you with the general fees and requirements for the NCLEX-RN application under Illinois State. If you have any further questions or you are ready to begin your application, get in touch with us through our Contact Us page.