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How to become a CNA in Illinois. Training: 120 hours required. Exam provider: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) – Illinois Nurse Aide Testing. Total initial fees: $85. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Certified Nursing Assistant
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Health Care Worker Registry
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
68% of data points are verified against official sources. 11 fields based on preliminary research. 2 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
120 hrs
Training Hours
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) – Illinois Nurse Aide Testing
Exam Provider
$85
Total Initial Fees
2 years (24 months)
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least one paid 8-hour shift providing nursing or nursing-related services under the supervision of a licensed nurse during the preceding 24-month period
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Health Care Worker Registry
(217) 785-5133
Program Approval Body
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Health Care Worker Registry
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
120
Total Hours
80
Classroom
40
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Topics Covered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Not Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) – Illinois Nurse Aide Testing
Written Exam Details
85
Questions
90 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass within 12 months of completing training program; up to 3 attempts allowed; after 3 failures, must complete another approved training program before retesting
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; some employers cover training costs | $500–$1,500 |
Competency Exam Fee Paid to SIUC/Illinois Nurse Aide Testing; retake also $85; reschedule fee $55 | $85 |
State Registration Fee No fee for initial placement on the Health Care Worker Registry | $0 |
Total Initial Fees Exam fee only; no state registration fee; excludes training program tuition and background check costs | $85 |
Scope of Practice
Mostly verifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (24 months)
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least one paid 8-hour shift providing nursing or nursing-related services under the supervision of a licensed nurse during the preceding 24-month period
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
No renewal application or fee required; active status maintained through the Health Care Worker Registry based on employer verification of work
Late Renewal Fee
$0
No late fee; however, after 24 consecutive months without qualifying work, certification becomes inactive
Inactive Reinstatement
After 24 consecutive months without providing nursing services, certification lapses; must retake and pass the written competency exam to be reinstated
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Submit Out-of-State CNA Application with $25 fee to SIUC; must hold current, active CNA certification from another state that meets federal standards; no additional exam required if prior certification qualifies
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Illinois is regulated by the Department of Public Health (not the Board of Nursing), uses Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) to administer exams (not national testing companies), and requires 12 hours of dementia/Alzheimer's training within the 120-hour program. The state exam is written-only with 85 questions.
Illinois requires 120 training hours (80 classroom + 40 clinical), exceeding the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
12 of the 120 training hours must cover dementia and Alzheimer's care
Illinois is unique in that SIUC administers the competency exam (not Pearson VUE, Prometric, or D&S Diversified)
Illinois uses a written-only state competency exam; clinical skills are evaluated during the training program itself
The Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR) is maintained by IDPH, not the Board of Nursing
No renewal fee and no state registration fee; approximately 50 testing sites statewide
Minimum age is 16 (not 18), and 8 years of grade school education required
Disqualifying criminal convictions may be waived by obtaining a Health Care Worker Waiver from IDPH
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#23 of 51
Salary
#15 of 51
Cost
#6 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)
Entry Level
$38,520
25th percentile
Median
$44,750
+13% vs. national avg ($39,530)Experienced
$48,110
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
64,660 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Nursing Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+57,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
182,300
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Nursing Career Ladder+187% salary growth potential
You are here
CNA
$44,750
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
You are here
CNA
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$44,750
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$66,030
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$86,410
MSN or DNP + national certification
$128,620
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 7–22 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Health Care Worker Registry — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Health Care Worker Registry — Licensing Requirements
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Illinois requires 120 hours of training and passage of the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) – Illinois Nurse Aide Testing competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Health Care Worker Registry.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.