104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026 HB2373 Introduced , by Rep. Sharon Chung SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 225 ILCS 65/60-5225 ILCS 65/60-7 new225 ILCS 65/60-10 Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that one of the criteria that the Board of Nursing shall take into consideration when reviewing a registered professional nurse education program is whether the program satisfies specified criteria in provisions regarding program effectiveness (rather than satisfies the measurement of program effectiveness based on a passage rate of all graduates over the 3 most recent calendar years without reference to first-time test takers). Provides that, in order for a program to obtain initial Department of Financial and Professional Regulation approval and to maintain Department approval, the passage rates of the program's graduating classes on the State-approved licensure exam must meet one of the measurements of program effectiveness (rather than be deemed satisfactory by the Department). Provides that a registered professional nurse education program meeting one of the measurements of program effectiveness shall be deemed in good standing. Provides that the Department may, without hearing, rescind the license of any person who obtained a license or other authorization to practice under the Act based on educational credits received from a registered professional nurse education program that did not meet a set of requirements during the time period when the person obtained the credits. Sets forth requirements for program effectiveness. Effective immediately. LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026 HB2373 Introduced , by Rep. Sharon Chung SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 225 ILCS 65/60-5225 ILCS 65/60-7 new225 ILCS 65/60-10 225 ILCS 65/60-5 225 ILCS 65/60-7 new 225 ILCS 65/60-10 Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that one of the criteria that the Board of Nursing shall take into consideration when reviewing a registered professional nurse education program is whether the program satisfies specified criteria in provisions regarding program effectiveness (rather than satisfies the measurement of program effectiveness based on a passage rate of all graduates over the 3 most recent calendar years without reference to first-time test takers). Provides that, in order for a program to obtain initial Department of Financial and Professional Regulation approval and to maintain Department approval, the passage rates of the program's graduating classes on the State-approved licensure exam must meet one of the measurements of program effectiveness (rather than be deemed satisfactory by the Department). Provides that a registered professional nurse education program meeting one of the measurements of program effectiveness shall be deemed in good standing. Provides that the Department may, without hearing, rescind the license of any person who obtained a license or other authorization to practice under the Act based on educational credits received from a registered professional nurse education program that did not meet a set of requirements during the time period when the person obtained the credits. Sets forth requirements for program effectiveness. Effective immediately. LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b A BILL FOR
104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026 HB2373 Introduced , by Rep. Sharon Chung SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
225 ILCS 65/60-5225 ILCS 65/60-7 new225 ILCS 65/60-10 225 ILCS 65/60-5 225 ILCS 65/60-7 new 225 ILCS 65/60-10
225 ILCS 65/60-5
225 ILCS 65/60-7 new
225 ILCS 65/60-10
Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that one of the criteria that the Board of Nursing shall take into consideration when reviewing a registered professional nurse education program is whether the program satisfies specified criteria in provisions regarding program effectiveness (rather than satisfies the measurement of program effectiveness based on a passage rate of all graduates over the 3 most recent calendar years without reference to first-time test takers). Provides that, in order for a program to obtain initial Department of Financial and Professional Regulation approval and to maintain Department approval, the passage rates of the program's graduating classes on the State-approved licensure exam must meet one of the measurements of program effectiveness (rather than be deemed satisfactory by the Department). Provides that a registered professional nurse education program meeting one of the measurements of program effectiveness shall be deemed in good standing. Provides that the Department may, without hearing, rescind the license of any person who obtained a license or other authorization to practice under the Act based on educational credits received from a registered professional nurse education program that did not meet a set of requirements during the time period when the person obtained the credits. Sets forth requirements for program effectiveness. Effective immediately.
LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
A BILL FOR
HB2373LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 AN ACT concerning regulation.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The Nurse Practice Act is amended by changing
5 Sections 60-5 and 60-10 and by adding Section 60-7 as follows:
6 (225 ILCS 65/60-5)
7 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
8 Sec. 60-5. RN education program requirements; out-of-State
9 programs.
10 (a) All registered professional nurse education programs
11 must be reviewed by the Board and approved by the Department
12 before the successful completion of such a program may be
13 applied toward meeting the requirements for registered
14 professional nurse licensure under this Act. Any program
15 changing the level of educational preparation or the
16 relationship with or to the parent institution or establishing
17 an extension of an existing program must request a review by
18 the Board and approval by the Department. The Board shall
19 review and make a recommendation for the approval or
20 disapproval of a program by the Department based on the
21 following criteria:
22 (1) a feasibility study that describes the need for
23 the program and the facilities used, the potential of the
104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026 HB2373 Introduced , by Rep. Sharon Chung SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
225 ILCS 65/60-5225 ILCS 65/60-7 new225 ILCS 65/60-10 225 ILCS 65/60-5 225 ILCS 65/60-7 new 225 ILCS 65/60-10
225 ILCS 65/60-5
225 ILCS 65/60-7 new
225 ILCS 65/60-10
Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that one of the criteria that the Board of Nursing shall take into consideration when reviewing a registered professional nurse education program is whether the program satisfies specified criteria in provisions regarding program effectiveness (rather than satisfies the measurement of program effectiveness based on a passage rate of all graduates over the 3 most recent calendar years without reference to first-time test takers). Provides that, in order for a program to obtain initial Department of Financial and Professional Regulation approval and to maintain Department approval, the passage rates of the program's graduating classes on the State-approved licensure exam must meet one of the measurements of program effectiveness (rather than be deemed satisfactory by the Department). Provides that a registered professional nurse education program meeting one of the measurements of program effectiveness shall be deemed in good standing. Provides that the Department may, without hearing, rescind the license of any person who obtained a license or other authorization to practice under the Act based on educational credits received from a registered professional nurse education program that did not meet a set of requirements during the time period when the person obtained the credits. Sets forth requirements for program effectiveness. Effective immediately.
LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
A BILL FOR
225 ILCS 65/60-5
225 ILCS 65/60-7 new
225 ILCS 65/60-10
LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 2 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 2 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 2 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 program to recruit faculty and students, financial support
2 for the program, and other criteria, as established by
3 rule;
4 (2) program curriculum that meets all State
5 requirements;
6 (2.5) whether the program satisfies one of the
7 criteria for program effectiveness set forth in Section
8 60-7 measurement of program effectiveness based on a
9 passage rate of all graduates over the 3 most recent
10 calendar years without reference to first-time test
11 takers;
12 (3) the administration of the program by a Nurse
13 Administrator and the involvement of a Nurse Administrator
14 in the development of the program;
15 (4) the occurrence of a site visit prior to approval;
16 and
17 (5) beginning December 31, 2022, obtaining and
18 maintaining programmatic accreditation by a national
19 accrediting body for nursing education recognized by the
20 United States Department of Education and approved by the
21 Department.
22 The Department and Board of Nursing shall be notified
23 within 30 days if the program loses its accreditation. The
24 Department may adopt rules regarding a warning process and
25 reaccreditation.
26 (b) In order to obtain initial Department approval and to
HB2373 - 2 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 3 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 3 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 3 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 maintain Department approval, a registered professional
2 nursing program must meet all of the following requirements:
3 (1) The institution responsible for conducting the
4 program and the Nurse Administrator must ensure that
5 individual faculty members are academically and
6 professionally competent.
7 (2) The program curriculum must contain all applicable
8 requirements established by rule, including both theory
9 and clinical components.
10 (3) The passage rates of the program's graduating
11 classes on the State-approved licensure exam must meet one
12 of the measurements of program effectiveness set forth in
13 Section 60-7 be deemed satisfactory by the Department.
14 On and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of
15 the 104th General Assembly, a registered professional nurse
16 education program meeting one of the measurements of program
17 effectiveness referenced in Section 60-7 of this Act shall be
18 deemed in good standing.
19 (c) Program site visits to an institution conducting or
20 hosting a professional nursing program may be made at the
21 discretion of the Nursing Coordinator or upon recommendation
22 of the Board. Full routine site visits may be conducted by the
23 Department for periodic evaluation. Such visits shall be used
24 to determine compliance with this Act. Full routine site
25 visits must be announced and may be waived at the discretion of
26 the Department if the program maintains accreditation with an
HB2373 - 3 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 4 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 4 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 4 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of
2 Education and approved by the Department.
3 (d) Any institution conducting a registered professional
4 nursing program that wishes to discontinue the program must do
5 each of the following:
6 (1) Notify the Department, in writing, of its intent
7 to discontinue the program.
8 (2) Continue to meet the requirements of this Act and
9 the rules adopted thereunder until the official date of
10 termination of the program.
11 (3) Notify the Department of the date on which the
12 last student shall graduate from the program and the
13 program shall terminate.
14 (4) Assist remaining students in the continuation of
15 their education in the event of program termination prior
16 to the graduation of the program's final student.
17 (5) Upon the closure of the program, notify the
18 Department, in writing, of the location of student and
19 graduate records' storage.
20 (e) Out-of-State registered professional nursing education
21 programs planning to offer clinical practice experiences in
22 this State must meet the requirements set forth in this
23 Section and must meet the clinical and faculty requirements
24 for institutions outside of this State, as established by
25 rule. The institution responsible for conducting an
26 out-of-State registered professional nursing education program
HB2373 - 4 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 5 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 5 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 5 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 and the administrator of the program shall be responsible for
2 ensuring that the individual faculty and preceptors overseeing
3 the clinical experience are academically and professionally
4 competent.
5 (f) The Department may, without hearing, rescind the
6 license of any person who obtained a license or other
7 authorization to practice under this Act based on educational
8 credits received from a registered professional nurse
9 education program that did not meet one of the following
10 requirements during the time period when the person obtained
11 the credits:
12 (1) for State-approved programs, the requirements of
13 this Section; or
14 (2) for programs approved by another state, the
15 requirements under that state's law.
16 Such rescission shall not constitute discipline as
17 provided in Section 70-5 of this Act. Such rescission shall
18 not be an automatic bar to licensure if the applicant elects to
19 re-apply; however, nothing in this subsection shall prevent
20 the Department from considering the rescission during a future
21 regulatory action. The Department may adopt rules to implement
22 this subsection.
23 (Source: P.A. 103-533, eff. 1-1-24.)
24 (225 ILCS 65/60-7 new)
25 Sec. 60-7. Registered professional nurse education program
HB2373 - 5 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 6 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 6 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 6 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 effectiveness. The measure of a registered professional nurse
2 education program's effectiveness is determined by whether:
3 (a) the program's most recent annual pass rate on a
4 State-approved licensure examination is 75% or greater for all
5 first-time test takers; or
6 (b) the program's average pass rate on a State-approved
7 licensure examination for the last 3 years is 75% or greater
8 for all first-time test takers.
9 (225 ILCS 65/60-10)
10 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)
11 Sec. 60-10. RN licensure by examination.
12 (a) Each applicant who successfully meets the requirements
13 of this Section is eligible for licensure as a registered
14 professional nurse.
15 (b) An applicant for licensure by examination to practice
16 as a registered professional nurse is eligible for licensure
17 when the following requirements are met:
18 (1) the applicant has submitted a completed written
19 application, on forms provided by the Department, and
20 fees, as established by the Department;
21 (2) the applicant has graduated from a professional
22 nursing education program approved by the Department or
23 has been granted a certificate of completion of
24 pre-licensure requirements from another United States
25 jurisdiction;
HB2373 - 6 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 7 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 7 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 7 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 (3) the applicant has successfully completed a
2 licensure examination approved by the Department;
3 (4) (blank);
4 (5) the applicant has submitted to the criminal
5 history records check required under Section 50-35 of this
6 Act;
7 (6) the applicant has submitted, either to the
8 Department or its designated testing service, a fee
9 covering the cost of providing the examination; failure to
10 appear for the examination on the scheduled date at the
11 time and place specified after the applicant's application
12 for examination has been received and acknowledged by the
13 Department or the designated testing service shall result
14 in the forfeiture of the examination fee; and
15 (7) the applicant has met all other requirements
16 established by the Department by rule.
17 An applicant for licensure by examination may take the
18 Department-approved examination in another jurisdiction.
19 (b-3) An applicant who graduates from a professional
20 nursing program in this State on or after January 1, 2024 (the
21 effective date of Public Act 103-533) this amendatory Act of
22 the 103rd General Assembly and does not take the licensure
23 examination within 180 days after his or her degree is
24 conferred by the institution of higher education or fails the
25 licensure examination for a second time shall be required to
26 demonstrate proof of completion of a National Council
HB2373 - 7 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 8 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 8 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 8 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 Licensure Examination preparatory class or a comparable test
2 preparatory program before taking a subsequent licensure
3 examination or the graduate may return to the institution of
4 higher education from which he or she graduated which shall
5 provide remedial educational resources to the graduate at no
6 cost to the graduate. Such an applicant must contact the
7 institution of higher education from which he or she graduated
8 prior to retesting.
9 (b-4) (Blank). All professional nursing programs in
10 probationary status on the effective date of this amendatory
11 Act of the 103rd General Assembly and subject to a program
12 revision plan shall be deemed in good standing for a period of
13 3 years beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act
14 of the 103rd General Assembly. Prior to September 1, 2026, no
15 professional nursing program shall be placed on probationary
16 status for failing to reach a passage rate of less than 75%.
17 (b-5) If an applicant for licensure by examination
18 neglects, fails, or refuses to take an examination or fails to
19 pass an examination for a license within 3 years of the date of
20 initial application, the application shall be denied. When an
21 applicant's application is denied due to the failure to pass
22 the examination within the 3-year period, that applicant must
23 undertake an additional course of education as defined by rule
24 prior to submitting a new application for licensure. Any new
25 application must be accompanied by the required fee, evidence
26 of meeting the requirements in force at the time of the new
HB2373 - 8 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 9 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 9 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 9 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 application, and evidence of completion of the additional
2 course of education prescribed by rule.
3 (c) An applicant for licensure by examination shall have
4 one year after the date of notification of the successful
5 completion of the examination to apply to the Department for a
6 license. If an applicant fails to apply within one year, the
7 applicant shall be required to retake and pass the examination
8 unless licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States.
9 (d) An applicant for licensure by examination who passes
10 the Department-approved licensure examination for professional
11 nursing may obtain employment as a license-pending registered
12 nurse and practice under the direction of a registered
13 professional nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse
14 until such time as he or she receives his or her license to
15 practice or until the license is denied. In no instance shall
16 any such applicant practice or be employed in any management
17 capacity. An individual may be employed as a license-pending
18 registered nurse if all of the following criteria are met:
19 (1) He or she has completed and passed the
20 Department-approved licensure exam and presents to the
21 employer the official written notification indicating
22 successful passage of the licensure examination.
23 (2) He or she has completed and submitted to the
24 Department an application for licensure under this Section
25 as a registered professional nurse.
26 (3) He or she has submitted the required licensure
HB2373 - 9 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 10 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 10 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 10 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 fee.
2 (4) He or she has met all other requirements
3 established by rule, including having submitted to a
4 criminal history records check.
5 (e) The privilege to practice as a license-pending
6 registered nurse shall terminate with the occurrence of any of
7 the following:
8 (1) Six months have passed since the official date of
9 passing the licensure exam as inscribed on the formal
10 written notification indicating passage of the exam. The
11 6-month license-pending period may be extended if more
12 time is needed by the Department to process the licensure
13 application.
14 (2) Receipt of the registered professional nurse
15 license from the Department.
16 (3) Notification from the Department that the
17 application for licensure has been refused.
18 (4) A request by the Department that the individual
19 terminate practicing as a license-pending registered nurse
20 until an official decision is made by the Department to
21 grant or deny a registered professional nurse license.
22 (f) (Blank).
23 (g) (Blank).
24 (h) (Blank).
25 (i) (Blank).
26 (j) (Blank).
HB2373 - 10 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373- 11 -LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b HB2373 - 11 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
HB2373 - 11 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b
1 (k) All applicants for registered professional nurse
2 licensure have 3 years after the date of application to
3 complete the application process. If the process has not been
4 completed within 3 years after the date of application, the
5 application shall be denied, the fee forfeited, and the
6 applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at
7 the time of reapplication.
8 (l) All applicants for registered nurse licensure by
9 examination who are graduates of practical nursing educational
10 programs in a country other than the United States and its
11 territories shall have their nursing education credentials
12 evaluated by a Department-approved nursing credentialing
13 evaluation service. No such applicant may be issued a license
14 under this Act unless the applicant's program is deemed by the
15 nursing credentialing evaluation service to be equivalent to a
16 professional nursing education program approved by the
17 Department. An applicant who has graduated from a nursing
18 educational program outside of the United States or its
19 territories and whose first language is not English shall
20 submit evidence of English proficiency, as defined by rule.
21 (m) (Blank).
22 (Source: P.A. 103-533, eff. 1-1-24; 103-686, eff. 1-1-25.)
HB2373 - 11 - LRB104 07560 AAS 17604 b