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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $85
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – Health Care Worker Registry
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
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
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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
All three attempts must occur within 12 months of the program completion date; after 3 failures or after the 12-month window expires, must complete a new Illinois-approved BNATP before retesting
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CNA Competency Exam
Questions
85 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Administered By
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) – Illinois Nurse Aide Testing
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $85Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| 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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Illinois with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
CNA requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Illinois
See how Illinois compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
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CNA Schools in Illinois
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Illinois? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to Illinois →
Transfer your CNA license from Illinois to: Indiana → | Iowa → | Kentucky → | Missouri → | Wisconsin →
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.