subject: All About Illinois State Medical License [print this page] The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's Division of Professional Regulation oversees Illinois professional licensure for more than one million working professionals in the state. In addition to providing Illinois professional licensure for individuals such as such as barbers, roofers, realtors and funeral home directors, the Division of Professional Regulation is also responsible for Illinois medical licensure and oversees medical professionals such as physicians, nurses, chiropractors, and dentists.
Illinois professional licensure and Illinois medical licensure generally follow the same procedure when seeking licensure from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Those looking for Illinois professional licensure and Illinois medical licensure must first apply for a professional license through the Department. Although the Department often chooses to grant most applicants Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure, there are instances in which the Department decides that denying a particular individual's application for Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure would be in the best interests of the citizens of Illinois. There are many different reasons as to why the Department may choose to deny an application for Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure, including for example prior criminal convictions or outstanding unpaid alimony or child support.
If the applicant seeking Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure wishes to contest the Department's decision to deny his or her application for a professional license, he or she may request a hearing. Once an applicant requests the hearing, the Department may at its own discretion hold an informal conference with the applicant to determine whether the matter can be resolved without proceeding to hearing.
However, the Department may choose to not offer a conference or appearance before the licensing board, or they may fail to reach a resolution at the informal conference. At this point, the applicant then has a right to a hearing in order to determine whether or not they may receive Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure. Other possible outcomes of settlement talks include a full denial of the application, an issuance of Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure with a discipline, or full issuance of the professional license without any additional disciplinary action attached.
Even after an applicant successfully obtains Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure, they may still be subject to discipline from the Department if it becomes aware of a potential violation of the applicable licensing statute and institute a case. Additionally, licensees to change the conditions on a license, or to restore their Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure from probation, suspension, or revocation may also institute cases. In these instances, the licensee must file a Petition for Restoration with the Department. In these and the previous types of cases, an Administrative Law Judge and the relevant disciplinary Board will make recommendations as to what course of action is appropriate. These recommendations are then sent to the Director of the Department, who will consider these recommendations when making his final decision as to what should happen to the individual's Illinois professional licensure or Illinois medical licensure.
