2024 - Best LPN Programs in Illinois

Details on Illinois LPN Schools & Classes

LPN programs can be found at several types of schools in Illinois, including community colleges, vocational schools, and more. Students can usually opt for full-time or part-time attendance, which will dictate the duration of the program. Most programs can be completed in 1-2 years from start to finish, allowing students to enter the LPN workforce relatively quickly. LPN programs in Illinois consist of a mix of medical nursing courses and labs, which may include titles such as:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Adult/Geriatric Nursing
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Pharmacology

Accreditation

With all the LPN program choices in the state, it’s important for prospective students to ensure that they are choosing a quality school. Accreditations show that the school and program are properly vetted. Accreditations from national organizations like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing are good to look for, as are ones from regional accrediting agencies. The Illinois Board of Nursing also maintains a list of approved LPN programs for students to peruse.

Admission Requirements

Once you’ve narrowed down a school, you’ll need to make sure that you meet all admissions requirements. While requirements will vary by school, most request the following:

• High school diploma or GED from a state-approved school
• High school GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Two letters of recommendation
• Current CPR certification
• Valid CNA certification may be required
• Must pass a background check and drug test

Tuition and Costs

Tuition, fees, and other expenses can run the gamut, depending on the school. Aside from those expenses, students must also factor in the cost of course materials, lab fees, uniforms, and room and board if applicable. As an example, the total cost of the LPN program at Shawnee Community College in Ullin is approximately $8,590 - not including books. Many schools also offer financial aid and other financing options to well-qualified applicants.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Illinois LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

Illinois LPN Licensing Requirements

Attending an approved nursing program is the main requirement to become an LPN in Illinois. But, once the program is complete, the applicant must also complete the following for licensing:

• Written application for licensure.
• Certificate of completion from an approved nursing program.
• Pass licensing exam (NCLEX).
• Pass a criminal background check.

The graduate has 3 years after finishing the nursing program to acquire licensure—if not done in this time, another educational program will be required. Illinois LPN licenses must be renewed every 2 years, and the license holder is responsible for 20 hours of continued education each renewal period—every 2 years.

NCLEX Exam Information

The process of becoming an LPN doesn’t end after graduating from a program. Students are required to take and pass the NCLEX-PN exam in order to officially gain licensure. You can learn more about the NCLEX-PN exam here. Taking an NCLEX-PN practice test is also a good idea to fully prepare for the exam.

LPN Reciprocity and NLC

Illinois is not a state that currently follows the Nurse Licensure Compact; however, the state is currently pending NLC legislation. Nurses from states that are part of the NLC are able to work in other NLC states without obtaining additional licensure. Otherwise, licensure by endorsement will be necessary to practice in a new state. If seeking a license by endorsement in the state of Illinois, the applicant must:

• Hold a valid license in another state.
• Submit a written application to the Board.
• Have completed a board-approved nursing education equivalent to the state of Illinois’.
• Complete a criminal background check.

Nurses licensed in a country other than the U.S. must verify educational equivalence based on the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation, as well as pass the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. For detailed information about LPN endorsement by application and examination in Illinois check out the online endorsement application.

2024 IL NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Statistics

• Total Number of State Approved LPN Schools: 38
• Total Number of Test Takers in 2022: 1,193
• 2022 Average Statewide Illinois NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 77.5%

LPN Salary in Illinois

The table below lists career information retrieved from the BLS for licensed practical nurses in Illinois. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)