IDFPR Standardizes Third-Party Communication for Nursing Applicants

SPRINGFIELD – Applicants seeking a nursing or temporary nursing license in Illinois will now find it easier to authorize third-party communications with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Effective immediately, IDFPR will include a standardized authorization form in all licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN) and advanced practice nurse (APN) application packets, providing a streamlined process for granting employers or license credentialing companies permission to discuss a licensee’s application with the Department.

“By making this simple, but effective change, we hope to streamline the application process to allow for a more straight-forward, user friendly applicant experience,” said Bryan A. Schneider, IDFPR Secretary.  “Providing a standardized form for individuals or companies to contact IDFPR on behalf of a nursing applicant provides for a more efficient regulatory experience, while improving patient access to a qualified nursing professional.”

Individuals or entities authorized by the applicant will be able to contact IDFPR on the following:

Determine if the application has been received and logged into IDFPR’s electronic licensing system.
Determine if the application has been reviewed by IDFPR’s licensing unit and if any deficiencies have been identified, such as missing transcripts or exam scores, missing or incomplete forms or missing out of state certifications.
Authorized individuals can receive information on how to resolve deficiencies, such as printing out forms for the applicant to complete, or be directed to a list of authorized fingerprint vendors. Deficiency notices will also be sent directly to the applicant as the applications are reviewed.

Please note that pursuant to Federal Law (28 CFR 50.12), criminal history information may not be disclosed to third-parties and will only be communicated to the applicant directly.

“Streamlining the application process is value added to nurses, providers and health systems,” said Dale E. Beatty, BSN, MSN, RN, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer for the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System.  “It allows for our state to assure we are in compliance with the regulations while at the same time assuring that process is simplified, standardized and customer focused.”

The third-party authorization form is located within IDFPR’s nurse licensee application forms found on IDFPR’s website