IDFPR License Pending Illinois

[BelievedICould]

I am posting this to share my experience getting my license from the IDFPR in Illinois. While going through this I read every thread I could find related to this to try and ease my anxiety. I graduated June 21, 2019. The day of my graduation my school sent continental testing services my character references, letter of explanation, and certified court documents through the mail, as this has been their practice for years. I have 2 misdemeanors that are non-convictions from 10 years ago. I received my ATT June 27th. FAST RIGHT! Whew I was ready to go! I took the first test date I could get, and took my NCLEX on July 9th. I immediately did the trick in the parking lot and found out my results were put on hold. Oh boy that was a tough 2 days! After 2 days they came off hold, and I found out I passed. I did some investigating on the internet and found out I could create an acct on https://ilesonline.idfpr.illinois.gov/DFPR/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/DFPR/Activities/LicenseStatus.aspx to check the status of my application. I could already see my status, and see that under State Fingerprinting, Fees, Positive Personal History, & FBI Background it said failed/rejected. I was nervous, but I had no information about what this information meant so I began to wait for my official pass letter from CTS so I could pay for my license. Again after doing some reading in threads here I actually found out I didn't have to wait for the letter, that I could actually just go to IDFPR office in Springfield and pay for my license without it. I did just that. I took a money order to the office, and was told my license should be posted by the end of the week.

I received 1st deficiency checklist July 19th. It wanted info I had already had mailed, and uploaded onto the IDFPR site. I went back and forth for almost 2 weeks with call center, because unfortunately they don't have access to all my info, so I would get a different answer every time I called.

I went to Springfield office on Aug 1st with photocopies of everything. I submitted it and was told they again they had everything they needed, and I would have my license posted within the week.

I received my 2nd deficiency letter Aug 4th. It was a photocopy of the first except it said at the top not to submit docs that I had already submitted twice.

I waited on hold for 2 hours to be told they needed all my docs. !!!!!! I almost lost my mind!

I went again to Springfield on Aug 6th. They then showed me what the issue was. On my background check the 2 misdemeanors showed up twice. Meaning it appeared I had 4 charges. So they were wanting docs on charges I actually had never received. They looked up the charges on public access right in front of me and saw there were in fact no charges. They acknowledged it to be truth and told me they would push my license through immediately. It posted within a few hours, and then I received a personal call from a licensing agent to inform me that it had posted.

This whole situation for me was a nightmare. I signed an offer a month ago, and also have another job that I was working at license pending waiting on this license. I know this is long, but I also know the desperation of not knowing what is happening with your license. I read every single thing I could while I was waiting. I hope my story gives someone peace during their wait.

[Ferlohr]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience. I checked the CTS and said that I passed the NCLEX. It’s been 1 week now and I haven’t received a mail from the BON for my license. I’m wondering if they will send me a mail or should I wait?

[lilalole]

Oh my goodness. This is 2023 and I am afraid this is what I am dealing with now. I too have a non-conviction and mailed all court certified docs, letter to CTS and was approved to test. Now I see similar issues on the IDFPR site and I had mailed my check. Unfortunately I have to wait until Monday to get this resolved, but I live so far from Springfield I am praying it is only a one trip thing. Thank you for sharing your story and I'm sorry this has happened. It is truly unacceptable.

[LPN_JT]

July 2023: I'm in a similar situation. Is there any updates on if you received your license yet? 

[lilalole]

Yes I finally have my license but you will have to wait unfortunately. I had to hound them and spoke to many individuals who gave me mixed information. It wasn't until I contacted the nursing unit and got a hold of someone where I finally received an e-mail almost 2 weeks after passing of what they needed. And what they needed blew my mind. I saw on either this post or another post someone in same situation where they needed court docs from when I was a minor. Mind you I am in my 30's and this is the first time this was ever brought up besides when I initially entered the military. Oh and what was the terrible crime, being out past curfew on a weekend LOL What a joke this system is. I wanted to drive to Springfield, but I do not recommend it if you are unsure of what the hold up is. Even after they receive the doc they said 3-4 weeks to process that, then 6-8 weeks from when they receive they letter that you mail in from CTS from your pass. So I would email either [email protected] or [email protected]

to find out what they are missing.

[LPN_JT]

I had to hound them as well, eventually they escalated my application to a "specialist" who still gave me the bare minimum information. Later on that evening at 6pm I got my deficiency letter via email from FPR.Testingunit. I sent the requested certified court document. It's frustrating because they couldn't even tell me if they received my $50 money order with the application slip. But all in all, did it actually take 3-4 weeks for them to process it? Or was it sooner than what was said? 

[Lise Lu]

Hello all.  I am currently going through this deficiency thing.  Up until this point, things have moved relatively fast.  I was able to pass all background checks, sit for the NCLEX, pass, and received my passing letter with instructions to mail back info and payment for the license application.  It's been about 2 weeks after sending my license application, and last night I received an email about a deficiency hold, and that I needed to send in official court documents and a statement regarding an arrest 15 years ago- back in 2008.  

I immediately woke up this morning, went to the courthouse, and had everything emailed back that they requested by noon today.  I'm wondering how long it will take to hear back about my license being issued or pushed through?  Does anyone have experience with emailing them and the response time?  I'm thinking that I might give it a week, but am considering making an in-person trip to Springfield with all of the documents if it takes longer.   I already have a job offer and need the license in a timely manner to not lose it. 

@LPN_JT did you email, or mail your documents?  I'm curious how long it will take to hear back since it sounds like we're at the same place. 

[LPN_JT]

@Lise Lu I emailed my document On July 28th, 2023. It's crazy because I literally just got off the phone with IDFPR no more than 10 minutes ago. I asked them if they could confirm if they received the email and how long will it take to process. The lady looked up my application and said it's not documented in my account yet and give it 3-4 weeks, she told me to call back around August 21st (literally my bday) to see if they processed it. But I feel like it shouldn't take that long because they emailed me my deficiency letter on July 27th at 6pm ... So I emailed them at 8pm asking if I could email them the certified court document and FPRtesting unit responded back the NEXT DAY (July 28th) at 1pm saying I could. So about 1:30pm same day I emailed them the court documents.... And I haven't received an email since stating if they received it. So I'm confused on how they can respond to my question the next day but never confirmed my court document. It's all frustrating and I thought about driving to Springfield myself as well which is a 3hr drive from Me but at this point if that's what it have to take for them to process my license.. I'm all for it ! 

[Lise Lu]

@LPN_JT Yeah that doesn't make sense!  3-4 weeks is such a long time, that's so frustrating.  I only got the confirmation email that sends automatically.  I was really hoping that I would have an email or something from them by end of the week but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.  

My next day off is Thursday, so I am planning to make the 3hr drive myself if I don't hear by then.  Only because I've read that people who drive down there were able to get their license posted same day if not a day or two later.  I'm hoping that is the case with me and that I don't waste the time driving down there, but at this point, it's a risk I have to take not lose my job offer.  

I sure hope you get your license BEFORE your birthday so that you can enjoy it without the stress of this hanging over your head.  Keep me posted on what you hear and if you decide to drive down.  I'll do the same ??

[LPN_JT]

@Lise Lu update: 8/10/2023

I checked my license status update and my license is active as of today! I called IDFPR Tuesday (8/8/2023) because I just couldn't believe I had to wait until 8/21/2023 to check the status of my court document and that phone call got me no where because I was told to just wait the process and 2 days later it's active! 

Any updates for you? 

[Lise Lu]

@LPN_JT congrats that's awesome news!

I actually drove down there on my day off which was yesterday (8/10).  I met with a lady who was super nice, she confirmed that she had everything she needed from me and told me that the person who reviews these documents is currently out on a family emergency so it was taking a little longer than usual, but that overall- it is not a lengthy process.  She assured me that it wouldn't be much longer, although she didn't give me an actual time frame.  I still felt better going and talking with them. 

IDK where this person went or for how long, but I'm glad they got to yours somehow before.  Maybe mine is just behind.  I'm really hoping maybe within the week... I will keep you posted and whoever else uses this thread!    

[Lmjlpn]

Hello!  Thanks for sharing!  This post was the only thing I could find to keep me sane through my process.  Here's my story.  I had a waiver as a CNA for 3 misdemeanor charges as a stupid 18 yr old(Im 39 now).  Anyways, my school told me nothing when I asked or had any of the process.  I graduated my LPN program 7/31/23.  I received my ATT and tested 8/17/23.  I received my letter to pay for licensing and that I could practice under someone fairly quick.  I started my training for LPN 8/28.  I got my deficiencies letter 9/8/23.  I then had to go to the courthouses(3 different ones) and I drove 14 hrs to do this, as they were all different counties.  I did this 9/11 and got all my copies.  I then dropped everything off.  I waited.  The call center got me no where.  I went 9/18 to Springfield.  A nice lady confirmed I had everything and itd be 2-4 weeks.  I was disappointed, but what could I do.  I then looked today, Active.  Did going there help?  I don't know, but I'm thankful.  All in all, 10 days from the time I got my deficiency letter.  I'm super excited and glad I'm done w all that.  My best advice is get your stuff in quick, pop into Springfield if you can(I live right by there) and just keep checking.  Good luck!  Ty again for starting this post!