CNA Classes in Illinois
Start your healthcare career in the Prairie State. Illinois requires a minimum of 80 training hours (40 classroom and 40 clinical) through state-approved programs. Candidates must pass the INACE exam to be listed on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry. Our directory connects you with accredited programs in Chicago, Aurora, and Rockford.
How to Become a CNA in Illinois
Complete 80 Training Hours
Enroll in a program approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). You must complete a minimum of 80 hours, split into 40 theory hours and 40 clinical hours.
Criminal Background Check
Submit to Live Scan fingerprinting for the Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR). This mandatory check must show no disqualifying convictions to remain eligible for testing.
Pass the INACE Exam
Register for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam through Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). You must pass the computer-based evaluation to be certified.
Registry Verification
Once you pass, your status is updated to "Active" on the IDPH Health Care Worker Registry. You can verify your credentials online through the public portal.
Maintain Active Status
Illinois does not have a formal expiration date. To stay active, you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing work every 24 months to avoid a gap in service.
Illinois Certification Guide
Reciprocity & Transfers
Out-of-state CNAs can apply for reciprocity to be listed on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry. You must be in good standing in your current state and pass the Illinois-mandated criminal background check. Illinois typically does not require a re-test if your current license is active and verifiable.
INACE Computer Testing
The state competency exam (INACE) is exclusively computer-based. You must pass the knowledge evaluation after your program coordinator verifies your 80 hours of training and clinical proficiency to receive "active" status on the registry.
The 120-Day Rule
Under Illinois state law, a "Nurse Aide in Training" may work in a licensed long-term care facility for up to 120 days while completing their approved training and testing. You must be actively enrolled in a program to utilize this employment window.
Live Scan Fingerprinting
All Illinois CNA candidates must undergo Live Scan fingerprinting through an IDPH-authorized vendor. This background check is a prerequisite for taking the state exam and being listed as eligible for hire on the Health Care Worker Registry.
Lapsed Status Recovery
If your status lapses due to a 24-month gap in service, you must either complete a manual skills competency evaluation at an approved site or retake the entire training program to regain active registry status and legal eligibility for employment.
Illinois CNA Salary
Certified Nurse Aides in Illinois earn an average annual salary of $40,120. Compensation is highest in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area, where high patient volumes and a competitive healthcare market drive hourly wages above the state average.
Exams & Clinical Skills
Illinois requires passing the INACE exam administered through SIU Carbondale. You must demonstrate clinical proficiency in fundamental nursing tasks and pass a written theory evaluation to be listed on the Health Care Worker Registry.
Illinois CNA Programs
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Illinois CNA Frequently Asked Questions
Illinois requires a minimum of 80 hours of instruction, which must include 40 classroom/theory hours and 40 clinical hours at a healthcare facility.
The Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam (INACE) is administered by Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) on behalf of the IDPH.
The average annual salary for a CNA in Illinois is $40,120, with significantly higher earning potential in the Chicago metro area.
Illinois doesn't have a traditional "expiration." To remain active, you must perform at least 8 hours of paid nursing work every 24 months.
Yes. All candidates must undergo Live Scan fingerprinting to be cleared for the Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR) before testing.
Tuition typically ranges from $800 to $1,500. Technical colleges may offer lower rates via grants, and some facilities offer free training for employment commitments.
Yes, hybrid programs are allowed for the 40 theory hours, but the 40 clinical hours must be completed in-person at an approved facility.
Yes. CNAs in good standing from other states can apply for reciprocity through the IDPH to be listed on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry.
Candidates must be at least 16 years of age and have completed at least 8 years of grade school or provide proof of equivalent knowledge.
You have three attempts to pass the INACE exam within 12 months of completing your training program. If you fail three times, you must retake the training.