Chicago IDFPR Attorneys for Nursing License Applicants

Lawyers Assisting With RN, LPN, and APN License Applications Throughout Illinois

When you devote your life to becoming a nurse, you put a great deal of time and effort into receiving the required education and training, passing the necessary examinations, and ensuring that you will be able to provide the level of care patients deserve. Obtaining your nursing license is one of the key steps in this process, but unfortunately, there are a wide variety of issues that could result in a license application being denied or delayed. When addressing these issues, you will want to work with an attorney who understands the licensing process and is experienced in navigating license application concerns.

At Williams & Nickl, LLC, our lawyers have more than 55 years of experience prosecuting and defending professional licenses throughout the state of Illinois, and we have worked with over 3,000 clients to address licensing matters before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Attorney Edward W. Williams formerly served as IDFPR Chief of Prosecutions, which provides our clients with a unique perspective into the formal and informal policies and procedures followed in licensing cases. With our help, you can address any issues that may arise and ensure that your license is issued as quickly as possible.

Addressing License Application Deficiencies

In recent years, the IDFPR and the Illinois Board of Nursing have increased the level of scrutiny placed on nursing license applicants. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many applicants being denied a license for illegitimate reasons. Even if an applicant is able to address the reasons for a denial, the process of doing so can significantly extend the amount of time before a license will be issued.

In many cases, an applicant will receive a Notice of Deficiency Checklist from the IDFPR. These notices may request information about a person's background, including court records or legal documents, and they may state that these questions must be answered before a license will be issued. Some potential deficiencies include:

• Convictions for felony offenses, crimes related to the practice of nursing, sex offenses, or violations of state or federal drug laws
• Arrests for driving while under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, or other intoxicating substances
• Previous instances of disciplinary action to a nursing license in a sister state

In many cases, proper explanations can be provided for these deficiencies. However, some records may show up on an application that should not be considered when determining whether a license should be granted to an applicant. Namely, any adjudications for juvenile offenses, arrests that did not result in a conviction, convictions that were later overturned, or convictions for which a person received a pardon or expungement should not be considered.

Nurse applicants contact our office every week after receiving a Deficiency Checklist or being notified that they are prohibited from practicing based on their background or criminal record. If you are facing any license application issues, we can provide a free, one-hour consultation in which we will assess your immediate needs and help you determine the best way to proceed. If necessary, we can work with you to draft an explanation letter to the Illinois Board of Nursing and the IDFPR that provides a satisfactory answer to any queries. More importantly, we can also help you understand whether you may be able to address the situation on your own without our assistance while offering advice on the best ways to achieve success.

If you do hire us to provide assistance with your application, we will draft your explanation letter and follow up with IDFPR officials to ensure that your license is issued in a timely fashion. In many cases, we are able to address inquiries quickly and have a license issued much faster than an applicant on their own can accomplish.

We have assisted many satisfied clients with nurse license applications, and the results speak for themselves:

"I am a new graduate nurse. I took my boards in January and was able to find a job immediately at a local hospital. On my first day at my new job I received a letter from the IDFPR saying my temporary license was not valid because of deficiencies on my license application. The deficiencies were from charges that occurred when I was in high school over 16 years ago. I contacted Fred Nickl after I found his website on Google. He was able to get my license issued within a week of hiring him. Even my nurse manager was shocked on how quickly the license was issued. I would highly recommend them!"  -RN, Chicago

Contact an Illinois Nurse License Application Attorney

When beginning your nursing career, you will want to address any issues that would delay the issuance of your license as quickly and effectively as possible. At Williams & Nickl, LLC, Edward and Fred can help you understand the best steps to take to ensure that you receive your license when you need it. To schedule your free consultation, contact us today at 312-335-9470.