The complete 2026 new-grad roadmap: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Nursing application, NCLEX-RN registration, fees, and timelines — all in one place.
Fees and processing times are approximate as of mid-2026 and change periodically — always confirm current requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Nursing before applying.
Submit your application for licensure by examination, pay the application fee ($50 (exam application) approx.), and arrange for your nursing program to send your official transcripts. Complete fingerprinting and the criminal background check through the board's approved vendor.
Create an account at pearsonvue.com/nclex and pay the $200 registration fee. Use the same name that appears on your board application and your ID — mismatches delay testing.
Once the board confirms your eligibility, Pearson VUE emails your ATT. It is valid for a limited window (typically 90 days), so schedule your exam as soon as it arrives.
Book your seat at a Pearson VUE testing center (or the earliest date that gives you enough prep time). The Next Generation NCLEX runs 85–150 items, up to 5 hours. Ready to prep? Our free NCLEX Prep Course covers every content area.
Official results come from the board, typically within a few business days (many states offer quick results in 48 hours via Pearson VUE). Once you pass, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Nursing issues your RN license — verify it on the board's license lookup, then it's time to sign that first offer.
Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Illinois license authorizes practice in Illinois only. If you plan to work in other states, you will need to apply for licensure by endorsement in each one (or hold a multistate license from a compact state where you reside).
Current compact membership is maintained by NCSBN — check nursecompact.com for the latest map before making relocation decisions.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Nursing application | $50 (exam application) |
| NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE) | $200 |
| Fingerprinting & background check | $50–$150 (vendor-dependent) |
| Transcript fees (school-dependent) | $10–$30 |
Nationally, most new grads spend $400–$900 total on licensure. All NCLEX fees are non-refundable.
Our free NCLEX Prep Course covers all eight client needs categories with practice questions and rationales — built for new grads by The RN Network.
Start the Free NCLEX Prep Course →