Registered Nurse License Cost in Illinois
In Illinois, documented RN license fees total $300 — exam $200, application $50, license $50. Always confirm the current schedule with Illinois Board of Nursing (IDFPR) before paying.
Figures below come from the same dataset as the full guide and list only what the state publishes. Anything not published is marked “varies — check the board” rather than guessed.
RN license cost — Illinois at a glance
| Pre-license education | Varies — check the board |
| Exam fee | $200 |
| Application fee | $50 |
| License fee | $50 |
| Documented fees total | $300 |
| BLS median annual wage | $97,550 (registered nurses) |
Official source: Illinois Board of Nursing (IDFPR) ↗
Fees vs. median pay
The BLS median annual wage for registered nurses is $97,550.The BLS median annual wage for registered nurses is $97,550. Documented RN fees in Illinois are $300 — about 0.3% of one year's median pay. The bigger investment is usually tuition and time.
Frequently asked questions
What does a RN license cost in Illinois?
Documented fees in Illinois total $300: exam $200, application $50, license $50. Pre-license education is the biggest variable cost and is set by each school, not the board.
Are the exam fee and the license fee the same thing in Illinois?
No. The exam fee covers sitting for the test, while the application and license fees cover processing and issuing the credential. Each is listed separately in the table above where the state publishes it.
How much does RN training cost in Illinois?
Training-hour requirements for Illinois are not published here — ask Illinois Board of Nursing (IDFPR) for the approved programs and their costs.
Is a RN license in Illinois worth the cost?
The BLS median annual wage for registered nurses is $97,550, so documented fees are roughly 0.3% of one year's median pay. Earnings vary widely by state and market — treat this as a planning estimate, not a promise.
Budget your RN licensing in Illinois
Turn the fees above into a dated budget, then check what the Illinois board charges on top.
Keep going — RN in Illinois
You are on the license cost angle. Here is what most people check next on the same licensing road.
This page is informational and not legal advice. Fees, pass rates and retake rules change frequently — verify all figures with Illinois Board of Nursing (IDFPR) and your exam vendor before paying (retrieved 2026-08-20).