(225 ILCS 65/Art. 55 heading) (was 225 ILCS 65/Tit. 10 heading)
(225 ILCS 65/55-5)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
Sec. 55-5. LPN education program requirements.
(a) All Illinois practical nurse education programs must be reviewed by the Board and approved by the Department before the successful completion of such a program may be applied toward meeting the requirements for practical nurse licensure under this Act. Any program changing the level of educational preparation or the relationship with or to the parent institution or establishing an extension of an existing program must request a review by the Board and approval by the Department. The Board shall review and make a recommendation for the approval or disapproval of a program by the Department based on the following criteria:
(b) In order to obtain initial Department approval and to maintain Department approval, a practical nursing program must meet all of the following requirements:
(c) Program site visits to an institution conducting or hosting a practical nursing program may be made at the discretion of the Nursing Coordinator or upon recommendation of the Board.
(d) Any institution conducting a practical nursing program that wishes to discontinue the program must do each of the following:
(Source: P.A. 95-639, eff. 10-5-07.)
(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(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)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:
(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:
(e) The privilege to practice as a license-pending practical nurse shall terminate with the occurrence of any of the following:
(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.)
(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:
(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:
(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:
(f) The Department may revoke a temporary permit issued pursuant to this Section if it determines that:
(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.)
(225 ILCS 65/55-15)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
Sec. 55-15. LPN license expiration; renewal. The expiration date and renewal period for each license to practice practical nursing issued under this Act shall be set by rule. The holder of a license may renew the license during the month preceding the expiration date of the license by paying the required fee. It is the responsibility of the licensee to notify the Department in writing of a change of address.
(Source: P.A. 95-639, eff. 10-5-07.)
(225 ILCS 65/55-20)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
Sec. 55-20. Restoration of LPN license; temporary permit.
(a) Any license to practice practical nursing issued under this Act that has expired or that is on inactive status may be restored by making application to the Department and filing proof of fitness acceptable to the Department, as specified by rule, to have the license restored, and by paying the required restoration fee. Such proof of fitness may include evidence certifying active lawful practice in another jurisdiction.
(b) A practical nurse licensee seeking restoration of a 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 Department, and submit the restoration or renewal fees set forth by the Department. The licensee must also submit proof of fitness to practice, as specified by rule.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any license to practice practical nursing issued under this Act that expired while the licensee was (i) in federal service on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or in the State Militia and called into service or training or (ii) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service may have the license restored without paying any lapsed renewal fees if, within 2 years after honorable termination of such service, training, or education, the applicant furnishes the Department with satisfactory evidence to the effect that the applicant has been so engaged and that the individual's service, training, or education has been so terminated.
(d) Any practical nurse licensee who shall engage in the practice of practical nursing with a lapsed license or while on inactive status shall be considered to be practicing without a license, which shall be grounds for discipline under Section 70-5 of this Act.
(e) Pending restoration of a license under this Section, the Department may grant an applicant a temporary permit to practice as a practical nurse if the Department 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 licenses from another jurisdiction, the Department shall not issue a temporary permit until it 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 after receipt by the Department of an application for the permit, shall be granted upon the submission of all of the following to the Department:
(f) The Department may refuse to issue to an applicant a temporary permit authorized under this Section if, within 14 working days after its receipt of an application for a temporary permit, the Department determines that:
(g) The Department may revoke a temporary permit issued under this Section if:
(h) A temporary permit or renewed temporary permit shall expire (i) upon issuance of a valid license under this Act or (ii) upon notification that the Department intends to deny restoration of licensure. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the temporary permit shall expire 6 months after the date of issuance. Further renewal may be granted by the Department in hardship cases that 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. No extensions shall be granted beyond the 6-month period, unless approved by the Secretary. Notification by the Department under this Section must be by certified or registered mail to the address of record or by email to the email address of record.
(Source: P.A. 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)
(225 ILCS 65/55-25)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
Sec. 55-25. Inactive status of a LPN license. Any licensed practical nurse who notifies the Department in writing on forms prescribed by the Department may elect to place his or her license on inactive status and shall, subject to rules of the Department, be excused from payment of renewal fees until notice is given to the Department, in writing, of his or her intent to restore the license.
Any practical nurse requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and shall be required to restore his or her license, as provided by rule of the Department.
Any practical nurse whose license is on an inactive status shall not practice nursing as defined by this Act in the State of Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 95-639, eff. 10-5-07.)
(225 ILCS 65/55-30)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
Sec. 55-30. LPN scope of practice.
(a) Practice as a licensed practical nurse means a scope of nursing practice, with or without compensation, under the guidance of a registered professional nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse, or as directed by a physician assistant, physician, dentist, podiatric physician, or other health care professionals as determined by the Department, and includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(Source: P.A. 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)
(225 ILCS 65/55-35)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
Sec. 55-35. Continuing education for LPN licensees. The Department may adopt rules of continuing education for licensed practical nurses that require 20 hours of continuing education per 2-year license renewal cycle. The rules shall address variances in part or in whole for good cause, including without limitation illness or hardship. The continuing education rules must ensure that licensees are given the opportunity to participate in programs sponsored by or through their State or national professional associations, hospitals, or other providers of continuing education. The continuing education rules must allow for a licensee to complete all required hours of continuing education in an online format. Each licensee is responsible for maintaining records of completion of continuing education and shall be prepared to produce the records when requested by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 101-655, eff. 3-12-21.)