State of Illinois does not require Social Security Number

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 5, 2015

Of course they have a Board of Nursing. All Boards of Nursing fall under a state regulatory umbrella known under various names.

I wouldn't sweat it. So they don't require SSN - any IEN licensed as an RN but without an SSN won't be able to work anyway.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 5, 2015

And I wonder how long you can hold a license before you renew?
Their website is very poorly written compared to other states.

After an initial RN license is issued, renewal is the following year, then every 2 years thereafter.

elkpark · Jan 5, 2015

Also, Federal law now requires that professional/occupational licenses only be issued to individuals with valid SS#s. Some states are taking longer to come into compliance with that law than others. If IL isn't requiring a SS# for initial licensure know, I'm sure they will be soon.

PinayUSA · Jan 5, 2015

I wouldn't sweat it. So they don't require SSN - any IEN licensed as an RN but without an SSN won't be able to work anyway.

If they are in some 3rd world country like India, Philippines, Nigeria, China then they can get a US RN licenses and then work as USRN in some call center making $1 per hour and answering calls for US Based Insurance Companies who advertise the have 24 hour Nurse Assistance.

PinayUSA · Jan 5, 2015

Also, Federal law now requires that professional/occupational licenses only be issued to individuals with valid SS#s. Some states are taking longer to come into compliance with that law than others. If IL isn't requiring a SS# for initial licensure know, I'm sure they will be soon.

The sooner the better

Now I realize why states like California have had so many fake transcripts turned in, Anyone could send in fake documents and get a California or Illinois RN Licenses. If they got the license then great, the scam worked, They have no fear from US Law since they live outside US Jurisdiction.

This is a problem the state nursing boards brought on themselves with such lax rules on granted licenses.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 5, 2015

PinayUSA, I still don't see why this is a problem. They may have proven that they have the smarts to pass an entry-level RN exam in the US but they are employed in their home countries being paid in their country's currency. I am Filipino-American and I'm glad opportunities such as this exist in third world countries. I just hope these companies have enough liability protection for the phone triage decisions made by these nurses who can't be prosecuted here in the US if something goes wrong.

PinayUSA · Jan 9, 2015

They are not passing entry level RN exam, They are having people give fake ID's and take the test for them, or the test questions are being leaked. I believe they stopped offer NCLEX in Philippines after widespread cheating for a few years, and if I remember right Korea no longer offers NCLEX after cheating.

Personally I think if someone gets a work Visa to USA, Nursing/IT they need to go back to their home country after completing their contract.

My bottom line is do not issue a license until a person has set foot upon US Soil and can provide a legitimate Social Card for work.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 9, 2015

OK, that's your opinion. I personally started on a working visa, transitioned to permanent resident, then US citizen (since 2004). I passed all my exams on first try and have a Master's degree from a reputable university here. I guess I don't fit your generalization but I don't really care one way or the other.