Direct answer
The responsible authority is Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Use the verified contact details and task-specific official links on this page.
Illinois source-reviewed jurisdiction snapshot
| Item | Reviewed detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
| Public verification | IDFPR Professional Regulation License Lookup |
| Renewal cycle | Credential-specific renewal periods administered by IDFPR |
| Renewal deadline | Renew while the profession is listed as open for renewal, generally during the months before expiration. |
| Continuing competence | Use the Nurse Practice Act and rules for profession-specific hours and complete all applicable statewide mandates. |
| Fees | Confirm the current fee inside the official renewal system. |
| Compact status | Non-compact jurisdiction |
| Credentials | LPN, RN, APRN, APRN Full Practice Authority |
| Phone | 1-888-473-4858 |
| Physical location | 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786 |
| Mailing address | 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786 |
| Primary official domains | idfpr.illinois.gov |
For Illinois, 4 primary official source records and 8 labeled official destinations support this jurisdiction guide.
Responsible licensing authority
Illinois nursing licenses are administered by the IDFPR Division of Professional Regulation. The state uses separate public License Lookup and online licensing/renewal services. Nursing license certification for another jurisdiction is routed through Nursys.
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786Open map ↗
Confirm current service hours and walk-in availability before visiting.
Which office or system should you use?
| Goal | Route | Why and what to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Verify current license status | IDFPR License Lookup | Use the reviewed Illinois primary-source route to confirm legal name, credential, status, expiration and public restrictions. Search by license number when available and document the live Illinois result date. |
| Renew or reactivate a license | Online Renewal Instructions | Illinois renewal eligibility, declarations and payments belong in the official account or renewal system. Follow this published timing: Renew while the profession is listed as open for renewal, generally during the months before expiration. |
| Check CE or continuing competence | Illinois CE Requirements | Illinois rules can differ by credential, first renewal, practice hours, mandatory topics or national certification. Review the exact requirement before buying coursework: Use the Nurse Practice Act and rules for profession-specific hours and complete all applicable statewide mandates. |
| Apply by endorsement | NCSBN License Verification Guidance | The Illinois destination authority decides application eligibility, documents, fingerprints, fees and any temporary authority. Nursys for nursing profession license certification or verification. |
| Use the account or transaction portal | Online Renewal Instructions | Authenticated Illinois transactions and messages should occur only in the authority-named system. Confirm the browser domain is one of the reviewed official domains: idfpr.illinois.gov. |
| Check complaints or public discipline | official complaint and discipline resource | License status and public discipline are separate questions in Illinois. For Illinois, open any public order or restriction linked by the authority; do not rely on social posts or an old screenshot. |
| Contact the licensing authority | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation | For Illinois, use the responsible office for a missing document, status discrepancy, credential routing or application message. Call 1-888-473-4858 with the credential, license or application number available; do not email sensitive documents unless given a secure route. |
| Use national verification or monitoring | Nursys QuickConfirm / e-Notify when accepted | Nursys can support participating-board national verification, endorsement verification and monitoring, but the Illinois authority remains the source for local requirements. Illinois is recorded as a non-compact jurisdiction. A nurse normally needs the license or other authority required by Illinois; an out-of-state compact license should not be assumed to replace that requirement. |
Complete official task destinations
IDFPR License Lookup ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Online Renewal Instructions ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Illinois CE Requirements ↗
Statewide mandates and profession-rule reminder
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026IDFPR Nurses ↗
Primary official source reviewed for this jurisdiction.
Exact primary-source record · reviewed July 27, 2026Nurse Licensure Compact ↗
National compact resource used with the Illinois status recorded as Non-compact jurisdiction; individual eligibility depends on the actual license designation and primary state of residence.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026NCLEX Official Website ↗
Official NCLEX information for examination candidates applying through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; passing the exam does not itself create an Illinois license.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026NCSBN License Verification Guidance ↗
National licensing guidance used to interpret verification categories; the local Illinois source remains IDFPR Professional Regulation License Lookup.
National official source · reviewed July 28, 2026Nursys QuickConfirm and e-Notify ↗
National participating-board service used alongside IDFPR Professional Regulation License Lookup for Illinois; follow Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation instructions for endorsement or monitoring.
National official service · reviewed July 28, 2026Before contacting the authority
- Confirm which credential and authority apply, especially in split-board jurisdictions.
- Have the application type, license number or transaction reference available.
- Ask a specific question about a missing item, renewal eligibility, status or credential assignment.
- Do not email Social Security numbers, payment-card details or background documents unless the authority explicitly instructs a secure method.
- Record the date, office or unit contacted and the response.
- Verify final license status in the public lookup system.
Frequently asked questions
Which office handles nursing licenses in Illinois?
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
What is the published phone number?
1-888-473-4858
Is there a separate mailing address?
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
What should I prepare before contacting the authority?
Have the credential, application type, license number or transaction reference ready, but do not send sensitive records to an unverified address.
Is phone guidance proof of licensure?
No. Verify the final license status in the official public lookup system.
Should I visit the office without checking first?
No. Confirm office hours, walk-in availability and the correct unit before traveling.