Illinois Medical License

Illinois Medical Board: A Guide to Licensing

Navigating the requirements of a medical license in Illinois may be challenging. From initial application through license renewal, the Illinois State Medical Board ensures that healthcare practitioners satisfy the state’s severe criteria.

The Illinois Medical Board defines licensure requirements and investigates claims of misconduct in the medical professions.  Comprising seventeen members appointed by the Governor—including twelve physicians from diverse medical branches, two physician assistants, and three public members—the Board ensures compliance with high professional standards.

Recent statistics highlight the scope of licensing activities. Last year, the Board processed a wide range of license types, including significant numbers of initial licensure for physicians.

Despite legislative efforts to simplify the licensure process, candidates for medical licenses in Illinois tend to experience considerable delays.

These delays result in a wide-ranging impact on healthcare workers, including nurses, doctors, pharmacists, or physical therapists. The recent influx of out-of-state providers, prompted by shortages, has added to the system’s workload, resulting in a lag in the handling of license applications.

Illinois Medical License Requirements

For an application for a physician’s license in the state of Illinois, the state’s Division of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR) demands the following requirements:

1. Moral Character

Applicants must demonstrate good moral character as a foundational qualification.

2. Educational Credentials

Complete a six-year post-secondary educational trajectory, which includes:

• Two academic years at a recognized college or university.
• Four academic years of medical education at a medical college, split equally between basic medical sciences and clinical sciences.

Additional stipulations apply for graduates from foreign medical schools or those who completed their education prior to 1988.

3. Examination Requirements

Complete the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1–3, or similar exams for older graduates or those from alternative examination boards.

4. Background Checks

Submit fingerprints to a state-approved Livescan Fingerprint Provider for criminal history background checks by the Illinois State Police and the FBI.

5. Postgraduate Training

Complete 12 to 24 months of authorized residency training in the United States or Canada, depending on the beginning date of the residency you are pursuing. If you have not actively practiced medicine or participated in a medical program for at least two years previous to your application, you must demonstrate that you have maintained your professional skills.

6. Credential Verification

Although optional, utilizing the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) can simplify the credential verification process. This service verifies and maintains a permanent record of core credentials. Direct verification from each educational institution or training program may also be necessary, especially where FCVS is not utilized.

The IDFPR will review your application once all conditions have been satisfied and documentation have been submitted. Regular follow-ups can speed up the process and help avoid delays. It’s beneficial to keep thorough records of all interactions and submissions to the IDFPR.

Medical Assistant License Illinois

Medical assistants do not need to hold a state license in order to practice. Many companies, however, may prefer or demand certification from respected organizations like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or various other professional associations. Obtaining certification may be an excellent approach to demonstrate a Medical Assistant’s expertise and understanding in the area, and may lead to greater career possibilities and higher pay. It is absolutely something to think about as you develop in your profession as a Medical Assistant.

Illinois Medical License Application Process

Before diving into your application, it’s important to pick the correct form depending on your situation:

1. New Applications – For those aiming to obtain licensure in Illinois for the first time.
2. Renewal Applications – For existing Illinois license holders seeking to renew and preserve their active status.
3. Endorsement Applications – For practitioners who are already licensed in another state or province but want to get licensed in Illinois.
4. Restoration Applications – For individuals who desire to reactivate their license that has been inactive owing to disciplinary action or has expired due to abandonment for a period of three to five years.
5. Reinstatement Applications – For practitioners who have an Illinois license that expired or was deactivated within the last three to five years.
6. Certification of Licensure Applications – For those who need to certify their Illinois licensure as part of obtaining licensure in another state.
7. Deficiency Notice Responses – If your initial application missed some necessary documents, you’ll need to provide these additional materials.

How to Get a Illinois Medical License

Let’s go further into the process of receiving the initial medical license in Illinois. It is crucial to keep in mind that the documentation must be filed at least 90 days ahead to the desired commencement date. After that, you may track the status of your application through the IDFPR Online Services Portal.

Here’s how to navigate the process smoothly:

1. Register and Log In: Go to the IDFPR Online Services Portal. If you have not previously made an account, use the “Register” tab to do so. Once enrolled, use a password and username to log in.
2. Access the Application: Once signed in, go to the top right corner, click the Online Services link, and then select “Create/Continue Application” within the dropdown menu. If you need guidance for new online user registration, find detailed instructions here.
3. Required Documentation: If seeking a permanent license, make sure you have all of the following paperwork ready:
   • Proof of Identity
   • Proof of Current Licensure.
   • Criminal Background Check
   • CCA form (Health Care Workers Charged With OR Convicted of Criminal Acts)
   • PH form (IDFPR Personal History Information)
   • VE-PC form (Verification of Employment/Experience-Professional Capacity)
   • An official transcript verifying pre-medical education
   • An official medical transcript with the school seal affixed and copy of your medical school diploma
   • Official transcripts must be submitted from each and every medical school attended
   • CT form (Certification of Licensure)
   • Verification of Pass/Fail Examination History (FLEX, National Board, USMLE)
   • TN-MED form (Certification of Postgraduate Clinical Training)
4. Social Security Number: Illinois law requires the SSN. If you do not possess an SSN, you must fill out an SSN Affidavit and obtain one right away.
5. Foreign Documents: Anything that is not in English has to be coupled with a notarized translation prepared by an accredited translator.

In addition to a medical license, you may be required to get a restricted drugs license or a DEA license. The controlled substance license requires a separate application that includes fingerprints and a criminal record check.

To get a DEA license, you must submit an application and additional documentation to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) and participate in an in-person interview. This license is required to prescribe drugs classed as restricted substances.

Processing Time for Illinois Medical License

The Illinois Medical Board is facing an increased number of applications as a result of physician shortage and, consequently, an increase in requests for interim licenses. Last year, the total amount of temporary licenses granted was 50% of the number of full medical licenses. This 50-50 split is noteworthy and could indicate a significant shift or trend in licensing practices.

The IDFPR encourages applicants to allow at least ten to twelve weeks from submission to license issue. This timeline is especially important if you require your license before a certain start date.

To avoid delays, submit your entire application package simultaneously, including all supporting documents. Incomplete submissions can significantly prolong the process. If you discover that certain documents are missing after your initial submission, act quickly to acquire and submit the remaining paperwork. Being proactive is essential to expedite your application.

Illinois Medical License Cost

When trying to obtain a medical license in the state of Illinois, expect to pay an application fee: $500, non-refundable. This fee applies to both examination and endorsement licenses. Along with this price, there are other charges to consider, which are imposed by the various service providers engaged in the license process.

• Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) base fee is $395.
• ECFMG Certification Reports $66.00 per report.
• Examination Scores/Reports fee of $80.

Illinois Medical Board License Renewal

Physicians, physician associates, and nurses are required to renew their licenses every three years. Physicians pay $700, PAs pay $150, while nurses pay $75. In addition to the renewal fee, healthcare practitioners must fulfill continuing medical education (CME) requirements.

Physicians have to accumulate 150 hours of CME, including 60 hours of the Category 1 credits. Physician assistants have to attend 50 hours of CE, whereas registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) should complete at least 20 hours to renew their licenses. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) require a minimum of 80 hours to renew their license.

To ensure that you have enough time to complete the renewal process, begin at least 60 days prior to deadline for renewal. Notes, that procedural delays may prevent you from practicing.

IL Medical License Renewal CME Requirements

In Illinois, physicians can meet their 150-hour requirement through a variety of Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs. However, the state mandates completion of certain issue-specific programs within these hours.

Recently, the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) successfully pushed for legislation that provides physicians more time to complete most of these required courses. Now, physicians can opt to take certain mandated courses every other licensure cycle, and the number of required hours for specific issues has been decreased. For example, the requirement for training on safe opioid prescribing has been reduced from three hours every licensing cycle to just one hour every six years.

Here’s a breakdown of the mandatory CME topics for Illinois physicians:

• Every Three Years:
  • Sexual Harassment Prevention (1 hour)
  • Implicit Bias (1 hour)
• Every Six Years:
  • Opioids (1 hour)
  • Cultural Competency (1 hour)
  • Recognizing Dementia (1 hour)
    • Physicians obtaining their license for the first time in the 2023-2026 period must complete dementia training once before their 2026 renewal, and then every six years thereafter.

Special Requirement for Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse:

• Physicians and other professionals required to report child abuse or neglect must complete initial mandated reporter training within three months of starting their roles, and at least every six years thereafter if they work with children. This training is crucial, although it’s not specifically tied to medical license renewal cycles. At each renewal, those working with children must confirm their understanding of their role as mandated reporters.

For medical personnel who do not interact with children in their professional roles, there is no requirement for ongoing training. Instead, they simply need to acknowledge their mandated reporter responsibilities upon each license renewal. This ensures all medical professionals are aware of their duties, even if their work does not directly involve children.

Illinois Medical License Lookup

In Illinois, checking a physician’s license is simple owing to the Medical License Lookup, a user-friendly web service supplied by the IDFPR. This portal allows users to verify a physician’s licensure status, including licensure renewal periods and any disciplinary proceedings on file.

Additionally, historical data on physicians can be accessed through the Physicians Database at the Illinois State Archives. It contains over 62,700 entries of physicians and surgeons which include the full name, certificate number, counties of residence, registration year, and specific register volume and page number. From September 1898 onwards, it also records the line number of the entry on the register page. Starting from 1924, each entry includes the physician’s date of birth. Note that some entries may list multiple registration dates or counties.

To search the record, simply enter the physician’s first or last name in the search fields. The search needs at least the initial two letters of the surname, while the first character of the name being optional.

Expedite Illinois Medical License

If you want to speed up the process, hand in all of the proper documentation and meet all of the licensure criteria. Next, make sure you’ve included all essential papers and payments with your application. This includes any background checks, confirmation of liability insurance, as well as any additional essential documents or materials.

Consider working with a licensing agency that specializes in helping healthcare providers earn their medical licenses. These services offer support and help during the application process. Working with a licensing provider strengthens your chances of obtaining your Illinois medical license and getting to work as soon as possible.

Illinois Medical Licensing Service

In medical licensing, even minor documentation errors can lead to significant delays. Last year’s unusual 50-50 split between temporary and full licenses underscores the importance of precision and efficiency in this process. Missed deadlines, incorrect paperwork, and prolonged approval times are frustrating and particularly time-consuming for busy medical professionals.

We can assist with all your medical license management needs. Whether you need a full license, a temporary license, a license renewal, or anything in between, we have you covered.

Our team will handle every detail—from documentation and communication to diligent follow-up—so you can focus on providing excellent care to your patients, confident that your licensing goals are being met.