Illinois is one of the states that use the “Reduced Practice” policy in which certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) are required to be in career-long partnerships with doctors and are restricted in tasks that they can handle unsupervised.
For example, in such an arrangement, you would only be able to prescribe and dispense medications when your supervising physician delegates such a task to you. Yes, you would need to request prescriptive authority from the Board, but you will still prescribe these medications under the name of your supervising physician.
With sufficient experience, however, CNPs can apply for Full Practice authority. The requirements include verification of employment indicating 4000 hours of clinical experience and an affidavit certifying the completion of 250 additional continuing education units.
The application fee is $125 for Full Practice authority, and an additional fee is required for each licensure category. The application and supporting documents should be sent to: IDFPR, ATTN: Division of Professional Regulation, PO Box 7007, Springfield, IL 62791.
The National Academy of Medicine views Full Practice as the standard that should apply in all states. Nurses and associated professions are asked to lend their voices to hasten the adoption of this policy by all US states. The full practice policy is helpful because it enables CNPs to apply their full knowledge and training optimally, reducing care shortages and overall healthcare expenses.