Becoming a CNA in Illinois

The medical industry is anticipated to grow in upcoming years, choosing to embark on a career as a certified nurse aide, can prove to be an excellent choice. It is not complicated to become certified and it can be done in a matter of months or even weeks.  These programs are regulated by The Illinois Department of Public Health, and are designed to help you pass the state mandated certification exam.

The city of Chicago alone has more than 30,000 jobs for this position.  Becoming a CNA in Illionois can lead to a very fulfilling career, as the medical field is only expected to expand over the next few years.

It is truly amazing to be able to work with people and know that you are accomplishing something great for your community. Plus, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment makes this career an exciting one that also offers a lot of potential for growth

Enrollment and Completion of CNA Classes in Illinois

Step 1:

Pick a State approved program that is right for you:
Find a CNA Training Program

In an approved program for CNA certification, the curriculum will cover things that are necessary requirements of the state. This includes courses on nursing basics and fundamentals of the job. You will receive instruction on sanitation, patient rights, CPR skills, basic phlebotomy techniques, and hosts of other skills that you will need to know to succeed within the field.

Step 2:

State law  requires that any person considering enrolling in cna classes in Illinois must be at least 16 years of age.   You will need to undergo a full physical examination and a background check prior to enrolling in a school. This is normal for most jobs in the medical field, and is necessary to ensure the good character of employers in efforts to maintain patient safety. Other requirements to work in a licensed facility as a nurse assistant include passing the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Exam. This exam is conducted by the Illinois Nurse Aide Testing Program,  and it must be taken and passed no more than 120 days after completion of your training.

CNA Testing Procedures and Applying for CNA Certification in Illinois

Step 1:

After the completion of the CNA certification program, the written competency test is taken. The person must be physically present at a testing site and be prepared to show state provided identification. Bring along your copy of the certificate you received after completing your nurse aide program for good measure. Dress comfortably and be ready to concentrate for about three hours.

Step 2:

As mentioned above the test will be given by the Illinois Nurse Aide testing association, at a preapproved location.    Here, you will be tested on many areas of nurse skills, and the test is broken up into two parts: written and clinical. Generally the written portion consists of 50-60 questions in a multiple choice format. The second part involves performing five nurse aide skills that you will have learned in your hands-on training. If you master both portions of the test, you will be added to the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry.

Step 3:

Upon completion of the exam you will now be a certified nursing assistant.  Make sure to get out and apply for a job as quickly as possible.  You want to keep your skills fresh, especially just out of school.    Start by creating an online resume and profile in our database.  We try to work with employers to get you into the job market quickly.

Illinois Nurse Aide Registry
Illinois Department of Public Health Worker Registry
525 W. Jefferson Street, Springfield, IL 62761
Phone: (217) 785-5133
License Verification: (217) 782-3070
Fax: (217) 524-0137