Licensed Practical Nurse in Illinois

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$66,030

trending_up +5.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.

engineering

18,230

Jobs (IL)

monitoring Stable

+2.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Licensing fees

schedule

1-2 years

Time to complete

route How to become a licensed practical nurse in Illinois

To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Illinois, you must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. The licensing body is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing. A criminal background check with fingerprinting is required, and applicants must generally be at least 18 years old. Illinois does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so LPNs licensed in other states must apply for licensure by endorsement.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $51,150

25th percentile $59,380

50th (median) $66,030

75th percentile $77,820

90th (experienced) $83,940

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Illinois requirements

Licensing body	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a state-approved practical nursing program
Exam	NCLEX-PN ($200)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18 is generally required. A criminal background check with fingerprinting is mandatory. Specific continuing education hours must include 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training, 1 hour of implicit bias awareness training, and for those providing care to patients 26 years and older, a 1-hour course on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Illinois is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state.

Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+2.6%

Average

Annual openings

54,400

Nationwide per year

Total employment

651,400

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.51/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleIllinois license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a licensed practical nurse career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a licensed practical nurse in Illinois? expand_more

To become a licensed practical nurse in Illinois, you need to complete the required education (Completion of a state-approved practical nursing program), pass the NCLEX-PN, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Is a licensed practical nurse license required in Illinois? expand_more

You cannot practice as a licensed practical nurse in Illinois without a state license from Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing. The required exam is the NCLEX-PN.

What do licensed practical nurses earn in Illinois? expand_more

licensed practical nurses in Illinois earn a median of $66,030 annually. This exceeds the $62,340 national median by 6%. The range spans from $51,150 at the entry level to $83,940 for top earners.

What's the total cost to get licensed practical nurse certified in Illinois? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($200) and application fee ($50). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

What's the timeline to become a licensed practical nurse in Illinois? expand_more

The typical timeline in Illinois is 1-2 years. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does Illinois require continuing education for licensed practical nurses? expand_more

Illinois requires 20.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your licensed practical nurse license.

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