Section 1300.25  The Licensure Examination

a)         The Board shall make recommendations to the Division regarding content, design, and contractor for a licensure examination.  A licensure examination contract shall be negotiated and approved by the Division.

b)         Registered Professional Nurse Examination

1)         The passing grade on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered professional nurses shall be based on an ability scale designed to measure minimum professional nurse competency.  A pass/fail grade will be assigned.

2)         A registered professional nurse applicant who fails the examination is not eligible for licensure.  If the applicant has been practicing professional nursing under Section 5-15(i) of the Act, the applicant shall discontinue practice until a passing grade is achieved on the examination and a license has been received from the Division.

3)         If the examination is not passed within 3 years from the date of application, regardless of jurisdiction in which the examination was written, the applicant shall not be permitted to retake the examination until such time as the applicant has successfully recompleted the entire approved nursing education program as set forth in Section 1300.40(f)(9) or completion of an approved remedial nursing education program or course as set forth in Section 1300.35.  Upon successful completion of the approved nursing education program or remedial program or course, the applicant shall submit proof to the Division.  This subsection (b)(3) does not apply to applicants who are licensed in another jurisdiction that utilizes the examination set forth in 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1320.25.

4)         If 3 years from the date of original application has lapsed, the applicant shall be required to submit a new application to the Division pursuant to Section 10-30 of the Act and provide evidence of meeting the requirements in force at the time of the new application.

c)         Licensed Practical Nurse Examination

1)         The passing grade on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for licensed practical nurses shall be based on an ability scale designed to measure minimum licensed practical nurse competency.  A pass/fail grade will be assigned.

2)         A licensed practical nurse applicant who fails the examination is not eligible for licensure.  If the applicant has been practicing as a licensed practical nurse under Section 5-15(g) of the Act, the applicant shall discontinue practice until a passing grade has been achieved on the examination and a license has been received from the Division.

3)         If the examination is not passed within 3 years from the date of the first examination taken, regardless of the jurisdiction in which the examination was written, the applicant shall not be permitted to retake the examination until such time as the applicant has successfully recompleted the entire approved nursing education program as set forth in Section 1300.40(f)(10) or completed an approved remedial licensed practical nurse education program or course as set forth in Section 1300.35.  Upon successful completion of the approved nursing education program or remedial program or course, the applicant shall submit proof to the Division.  This subsection (c)(3) does not apply to applicants licensed in another jurisdiction that utilizes the examination set forth in 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1320.25.

4)         If 3 years from the date of original application has lapsed, the applicant shall be required to submit a new application to the Division pursuant to Section 10-30 of the Act.

d)         Eligibility for Licensed Practical Nurse Examination

Any candidate who is unable to pass the registered professional nurse examination will not be permitted to write the practical nurse examination until or unless that applicant has graduated from an approved practical nursing education program.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 8582, effective April 21, 2006)