Returning to nursing in Illinois

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified 2026-06-04

The Illinois RN reinstatement fee is $50–$250, plus any back renewal fees. What else your return takes depends on how long the license has been lapsed: short lapses are paperwork and CE, long ones can add a refresher course.

What your lapse length means in Illinois

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Illinois: $50–$250) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Illinois: $50–$250) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Illinois: $50–$250) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Refresher course rules in Illinois

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Expired or inactive under 5 years: reinstatement through the standard packet with the renewal-cycle CE (20 hours for RNs). At 5+ years, restoration requires proof of fitness to practice as the Department's rules specify.
What it takes: Proof of fitness for 5+ year restorations can include evidence of active lawful practice in another jurisdiction; the Department sets specifics by rule rather than publishing one fixed pathway.
Re-examination: The statute leaves competency proof to Department rule rather than mandating re-examination; get IDFPR's requirement for your case in writing.

Source: 225 ILCS 65/60-5 and IDFPR, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Illinois

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.
2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.
3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.
4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.
5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).
6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Start at the source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) or the online renewal portal.

Illinois reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Illinois?: The Illinois RN reinstatement fee is $50–$250, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Illinois nursing license?: Expired or inactive under 5 years: reinstatement through the standard packet with the renewal-cycle CE (20 hours for RNs). At 5+ years, restoration requires proof of fitness to practice as the Department's rules specify. Proof of fitness for 5+ year restorations can include evidence of active lawful practice in another jurisdiction; the Department sets specifics by rule rather than publishing one fixed pathway.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Illinois license back?: The statute leaves competency proof to Department rule rather than mandating re-examination; get IDFPR's requirement for your case in writing.
Is there a grace period after my Illinois license expires?: Illinois's published rule: After expiration the license is restored through reinstatement (CE for the period June 1 of the even year through May 31 must be complete). The previously listed 90-day late-renewal window is not supported by the official sources. Confirm reinstatement requirements with IDFPR.. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Illinois license reinstatement take?: Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) publishes processing updates on its portal.

Inactive vs lapsed: which path costs less

CE requirements for returning nurses

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What your lapse length means in Illinois

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Illinois: $50–$250) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Illinois: $50–$250) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Illinois: $50–$250) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Refresher course rules in Illinois

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: Expired or inactive under 5 years: reinstatement through the standard packet with the renewal-cycle CE (20 hours for RNs). At 5+ years, restoration requires proof of fitness to practice as the Department's rules specify.
What it takes: Proof of fitness for 5+ year restorations can include evidence of active lawful practice in another jurisdiction; the Department sets specifics by rule rather than publishing one fixed pathway.
Re-examination: The statute leaves competency proof to Department rule rather than mandating re-examination; get IDFPR's requirement for your case in writing.

Source: 225 ILCS 65/60-5 and IDFPR, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Illinois

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.

2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.

3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.

4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.

5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).

6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Illinois reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Illinois?

The Illinois RN reinstatement fee is $50–$250, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before applying.

Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Illinois nursing license?

Expired or inactive under 5 years: reinstatement through the standard packet with the renewal-cycle CE (20 hours for RNs). At 5+ years, restoration requires proof of fitness to practice as the Department's rules specify. Proof of fitness for 5+ year restorations can include evidence of active lawful practice in another jurisdiction; the Department sets specifics by rule rather than publishing one fixed pathway.

Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Illinois license back?

The statute leaves competency proof to Department rule rather than mandating re-examination; get IDFPR's requirement for your case in writing.

Is there a grace period after my Illinois license expires?

Illinois's published rule: After expiration the license is restored through reinstatement (CE for the period June 1 of the even year through May 31 must be complete). The previously listed 90-day late-renewal window is not supported by the official sources. Confirm reinstatement requirements with IDFPR.. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

How long does Illinois license reinstatement take?

Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to nursing in Illinois

What your lapse length means in Illinois

Refresher course rules in Illinois

Steps to reinstate in Illinois

Illinois reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Illinois nurses

Never let it lapse again

Returning to nursing in Illinois

What your lapse length means in Illinois

Refresher course rules in Illinois

Steps to reinstate in Illinois

Illinois reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Illinois nurses

Never let it lapse again