Qualifications for licensure as an advanced practice nurse include obtaining “a graduate degree appropriate for national certification in a clinical advanced practice registered nursing specialty or a graduate degree or post-masters certificate from a graduate-level program in a clinical advanced practice registered nursing specialty.” [225 ILCS 65/65-5(b)(4)
“The Department shall issue a certified registered nurse anesthetist license to an APN who (i) does not have a graduate degree, (ii) applies for licensure before July 1, 2028, and (iii) submits all of the following to the Department:
(1) His or her current State registered nurse license number. (2) Proof of current national certification, which includes the completion of an examination from either of the following: (A) the Council on Certification of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists; or (B) the Council on Recertification of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. (3) Proof of the successful completion of a post-basic advanced practice formal education program in the area of nurse anesthesia prior to January 1, 1999. (4) His or her complete work history for the 5-year period immediately preceding the date of his or her application. (5) Verification of licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse from the state in which he or she was originally licensed, current state of licensure, and any other state in which he or she has been actively practicing as an advanced practice registered nurse within the 5-year period immediately preceding the date of his or her application….” [225 ILCS 65/65-5(b)(10)]
Out-of-State Applicants: No explicit reference; the above provisions, however, appear to implicitly apply to out-of-state applicants who meet the stated requirements.
To practice in “license pending status,” a “graduate of an advanced practice registered nursing program may practice in the State of Illinois in the role of . . . certified registered nurse anesthetist for not longer than 6 months” after submitting information including, but not limited to, (1) an application for licensure as an advanced practice nurse, (2) proof of completion of a graduate advanced practice education program that allows the applicant to be eligible for national certification in a clinical advanced practice nursing specialty, and (3) proof of an application to take the national certification examination. Graduate nurse anesthetists practicing in “license pending status” must use the title “license pending certified registered nurse anesthetist.” [Illinois Nurse Practice Act, 225 ILCS 65/65-10]
New DEA MATE Act Requirements
Congress has passed the MATE Act requiring all CRNAs who need to renew or are applying for a DEA license to complete a one-time training (totaling 8 hours) on managing patients with substance use disorders. View our FAQs below to learn more about this requirement and for information about our new DEA Bundle to help you meet this requirement.
FAQs
CRNAs are a type of “advanced practice registered nurse.”
A person shall be qualified for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse if that person meets the requirements set forth by the Illinois NPA. [Illinois Nurse Practice Act, 225 ILCS 65/65-5]