What is a Illinois NP's scope of practice?

An Illinois NP’s scope of practice is defined by the APRN’s education, training, and certification, with the Department’s approval of the APRN role¹². As Certified Nurse Practitioners (among other APRN roles), NPs may perform advanced assessment and diagnosis; order, perform, and interpret diagnostic/therapeutic tests; order treatments and medical devices; use therapeutic and corrective measures; provide palliative and end-of-life care; deliver advanced counseling, education, and advocacy; exercise prescriptive authority (subject to delegation or full practice authority); delegate nursing interventions; and assist physicians in—but not perform—surgery³⁴.

Illinois does not limit APRN practice by patient category, payer, or geography within the state when the APRN has appropriate training and experience⁵. APRNs are professionally and legally responsible for the care of persons they attend⁶.

Prescribing and practice may occur under a written collaborative agreement until the APRN attains full practice authority from the Department⁷⁸. With full practice authority, APRNs may prescribe legend drugs and Schedules II–V controlled substances, but benzodiazepines and Schedule II narcotic drugs require documented monthly physician consultation within the Prescription Monitoring Program; full practice APRNs may administer only a local anesthetic and may not perform operative surgery⁹¹⁰.