Though Illinois has some of the best medical care in the entire country, CNAs continue to be needed in the area. Illinois is a diverse state with both a strong urban core like Chicago as well as rural and farming communities. Both of these areas will have have health care needs as the population ages. Well-trained CNAs have the opportunity to contribute to excellent medical resources and serve different nursing facilities. To serve as a CNA, prospective candidates must meet some requirements. CNAs in Illinois can make as much as $44,010 on the higher end, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prospective CNA candidates must complete a state-approved nursing program. 80 hours of theory-teaching are required and 40 hours of clinical work are expected. 12 of the instructional hours must address mental dysfunctions such as Alzheimer’s. Below are some details on how to qualify as a trained CNA in Illinois.
Online CNA Programs in Illinois
When seeking excellence in CNA training, Illinois stands as a beacon of exceptional educational opportunities. Here, we spotlight the finest online CNA programs that combine convenience with excellence in education:
- International Career Institute (ICI): Duration: 4-10 WeeksAt ICI, CNA aspirants are nurtured with a comprehensive training approach. This program presents a balanced combination of classroom instruction and practical hands-on training, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the Illinois State competency exam. For inquiries, contact ICI at 847-920-6129.
- AVID CNA School: Duration: 5 WeeksAVID CNA School in Streamwood offers a dynamic 5-week online BNATP that encompasses the entirety of nursing skills. Through theoretical lessons, laboratory sessions, and clinical experiences, students acquire a well-rounded education. Additionally, this program offers flexibility and eligibility for the SIUC exam. Get in touch at 630-855-3977.
- Medway Healthcare Institute:Marrying the best of online learning and hands-on clinical practice, Medway Healthcare Institute presents a hybrid BNATP that holds the approval of both the Illinois Board of Higher Education and Public Health. This program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to flourish in their CNA careers. For inquiries, contact Medway Healthcare Institute at 773-778-8800.
Illinois CNA Certification Requirements
Because CNAs are an important part of Illinois healthcare, strict requirements must be fulfilled to earn your CNA certification in Illinois. Potential CNAs must have completed most of their primary school and should be able to read competently. Though it is a good idea to have graduated high school, it is not required if candidates can pass reading comprehension exams. Candidates must also have:
- a criminal background check
- be at least 16 years old
- have a medical exam
- proof of immunization
- negative TB test
- minimum of an eighth-grade education
- attend the program’s orientation session
- some programs require a Healthcare Provider CPR card
Illinois CNA Classes and Testing Costs
In order to earn your CNA license in Illinois, candidates must pass a state-approved course. There are several colleges, community colleges, high schools, nursing homes, and other establishments that can provide educational programs for prospective CNAs. 150 minimum hours of classes are required. In order to become a fully qualified CNA, graduates must pass the nurse aid evaluation exam within two years of graduation. The courses may vary in length; as long as it satisfies the minimum requirements, it may be as long as 4 months or as brief as 3 weeks.
CNA classes are available in many establishments. Those who meet the state requirements may qualify and enroll. Many hospitals and nursing homes sponsor classes for prospective CNAs. It is possible to enroll in a program that charges between $700 to $1800. Extra funds should be budgeted to cover textbooks and other expenses. Here is a list of Illinois CNA classes.
The cost of testing is the same for re-applicants and beginning applicants. The testing fee is $65. The Nurse Aide Testing Center should be contacted for more specifics.
CNA Classes and Nurse Aid Programs in Illinois
If becoming a trained CNA in the state of Illinois sounds promising, below are some opportunities that may help you get started. Some of these institutions may provide classes that are a good fit for your schedule. Some may charge tuition. Contact these establishments directly for more answers.
| Training Program | City | Zip Code | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology Center of DuPage | Addison, IL | 60101 | 630-620-8770 |
| Shawnee Community College | Anna, IL | 62906 | 618-833-3399 |
| Waubonsee Community College | Aurora, IL | 60506 | 630-801-7900 |
| Waubonsee Community College - Aurora Fox Valley Campus | Aurora, IL | 60504 | 630-585-7900 |
| Right at Home of Fox Valley | Batavia, IL | 60510 | 630-780-9766 |
| Midwest Career Source Vocational School | Belleville, IL | 62223 | 618-213-6539 |
| SWIC Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL | 62221 | 618-235-2700 |
| Benton Consolidated High School | Benton, IL | 62812 | 618-439-3103 |
| Bloomington Area Vocational | Bloomington, IL | 61701 | 309-829-8671 |
| Spectrum Nurses, Inc. | Bolingbrook, IL | 60440 | 630-771-9069 |
| Southern Illinois University | Carbondale, IL | 62901 | 618-453-2121 |
| John A. Logan College | Carterville, IL | 62918 | 618-985-2828 |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia, IL | 62801 | 618-545-3000 |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 61821 | 217-351-2200 |
| Excelsior Healthcare Academy | Chicago Heights, IL | 60411 | 773-297-2417 |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 60411 | 708-709-3500 |
| Carepaks Health Services Inc | Chicago, IL | 60640 | 773-784-7500 |
| Olive-Harvey College | Chicago, IL | 60628 | 773-291-6100 |
| Harold Washington College, City College of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 60601 | 312-553-5600 |
| CPR Associates, Inc. | Chicago, IL | 60656 | 773-973-6933 |
| CPR Associates, Inc. | Chicago, IL | 60659 | 773-973-6933 |
| East-West University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 60605 | 312-939-0111 |
| Great Paragon Health Services Inc | Chicago, IL | 60645 | 773-274-7694 |
| TTI Medical Training School | Chicago, IL | 60656 | 773-774-2222 |
| Apex Home Health Services | Chicago, IL | 60646 | 773-202-1948 |
| Chicago Community Learning Center | Chicago, IL | 60613 | 773-506-1503 |
| Coyne College | Chicago, IL | 60602 | 800-720-3990 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 60660 | 773-274-3000 |
| Midwestern Career College | Chicago, IL | 60606 | 312-236-9000 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago, IL | 60625 | 773-583-4050 |
| SOLEX College Chicago Downtown | Chicago, IL | 60601 | 312-970-1375 |
| Verve College | Chicago, IL | 60606 | 312-920-8822 |
| Harry S Truman College | Chicago, IL | 60640 | 773-907-4000 |
| Malcolm X College | Chicago, IL | 60612 | 312-850-7000 |
| Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | 60634 | 773-777-7900 |
| Kennedy-King College | Chicago, IL | 60621 | 773-602-5000 |
| Richard J. Daley College | Chicago, IL | 60652 | 773-838-7500 |
| The Arturo Velasquez Westside Technical Instituite | Chicago, IL | 60608 | 773-838-1520 |
| Dawson Technical Institute of Kennedy King College | Chicago, IL | 60609 | 312-553-2500 |
| Chicago’s Pulse CPR | Chicago, IL | 60655 | 773-445-2277 |
| Phlebotomy Training Specialists | Chicago, IL | 60602 | 888-531-8378 |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago, IL | 60607 | 312-996-7000 |
| Career Training Center Of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 60659 | 773-583-8532 |
| CTCC (Career Training Center of Chicago) | Chicago, IL | 60659 | 0 |
| City College of Education | Chicago, IL | 60659 | 708-296-2209 |
| First Step to Excellence Health Care Training Academy, Ltd. | Chicago, IL | 60617 | 773-437-5003 |
| Morton College | Cicero, IL | 60804 | 708-656-8000 |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 60012 | 815-455-3700 |
| J Renee Career Facilitation | Crystal Lake, IL | 60014 | 815-444-7751 |
| Danville Area Community Clg | Danville, IL | 61832 | 217-443-3222 |
| Heartland Technical Academy | Decatur, IL | 62521 | 217-872-4050 |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 62521 | 217-875-7200 |
| Northern Illinois University | DeKalb, IL | 60115 | 0 |
| Oakton Community College | Des Plaines, IL | 60016 | 847-635-1600 |
| Jethro Health Care School & Placement Services | Des Plaines, IL | 60016 | 847-258-5783 |
| Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon, IL | 61021 | 815-288-5511 |
| Adonis College Of Nursing | Dolton, IL | 60419 | 888-308-3892 |
| Larlin HomeCare Services | Downers Grove, IL | 60516 | 630-852-4007 |
| Midwest Technical Institute | East Peoria, IL | 61611 | 309-427-2750 |
| Helping Hands Home Healthcare | East Peoria, IL | 61611 | 309-699-4715 |
| Illinois Central College - East Peoria Campus | East Peoria, IL | 61635 | 309-694-5422 |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 60123 | 847-697-1000 |
| J´RENEÉ COLLEGE | Elgin, IL | 60123 | 815-444-7751 |
| Jo Daviess Carroll CTE Academy | Elizabeth, IL | 61028 | 815-858-2203 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 60208 | 847-491-3741 |
| Frontier Community College | Fairfield, IL | 62837 | 618-842-3711 |
| CALC, Institute of Technology | Fairview Heights, IL | 62208 | 618-416-5366 |
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | 61032 | 815-235-6121 |
| Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | 61401 | 309-344-2518 |
| Meridian Village - Lutheran Senior Services | Glen Carbon, IL | 62034 | 618-288-3700 |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 60137 | 630-942-2800 |
| CMK Healthcare | Glendale Heights, IL | 60139 | 224-353-6318 |
| Lewis and Clark Community College Benjamin Godfrey Campus | Godfrey, IL | 62035 | 618-468-7000 |
| Southwestern Illinois College | Granite City, IL | 62040 | 618-931-0600 |
| Kaskaskia College Greenville Education Center | Greenville, IL | 62246 | 618-545-3465 |
| Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg, IL | 62946 | 618-252-5400 |
| TTI Medical Training School | Hickory Hills, IL | 60457 | 773-774-2222 |
| CMK Healthcare | Hinsdale, IL | 60521 | 630-537-1590 |
| Ambria College of Nursing | Hoffman Estates, IL | 60192 | 847-397-0300 |
| Zurik Healthcare Institute | Homewood, IL | 60430 | 708-960-0723 |
| Elim Outreach Training Center | Homewood, IL | 60430 | 708-922-9547 |
| Rend Lake College | Ina, IL | 62846 | 618-437-5321 |
| Joliet Junior College A Building (Administration, Library, Child Development) | Joliet, IL | 60431 | 815-729-9020 |
| University of St. Francis | Joliet, IL | 60435 | 800-735-7500 |
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | 60901 | 815-802-8100 |
| Hugs Inc . Health -Career- Training-Center | Lansing, IL | 60438 | 708-418-5925 |
| Healthcare Inservices | Lombard, IL | 60148 | 630-620-1297 |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 60150 | 815-825-2086 |
| Fox Valley Career Center | Maple Park, IL | 60151 | 630-365-5113 |
| Marengo Community High School | Marengo, IL | 60152 | 815-568-6511 |
| Scott School of Careers | Markham, IL | 60428 | 602-284-4495 |
| Lakeland College | Marshall, IL | 62441 | 217-826-8490 |
| Prudential Home Health Servcies Corp. | Matteson, IL | 60443 | 708-709-0709 |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 61938 | 217-234-5253 |
| Black Hawk College | Moline, IL | 61265 | 309-796-5000 |
| Illinois Eastern Community Colleges - Wabash Valley College | Mt Carmel, IL | 62863 | 618-262-8641 |
| JWCC Mt. Sterling Education Center | Mt Sterling, IL | 62353 | 217-641-4144 |
| Rend Lake College MarketPlace | Mt Vernon, IL | 62864 | 618-244-9525 |
| Midwestern Career College - Naperville Location | Naperville, IL | 60563 | 630-536-8679 |
| Carepaks Health Services, Inc. | Normal, IL | 61761 | 309-454-1000 |
| Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | 61761 | 309-268-8000 |
| Norridge Gardens | Norridge, IL | 60706 | 708-457-0700 |
| Verve College | Oak Brook, IL | 60523 | 630-705-9999 |
| KAM Institute of Technology and Healthcare | Oak Park, IL | 60302 | 708-848-1700 |
| Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby, IL | 61348 | 815-224-2720 |
| Olney Central College | Olney, IL | 62450 | 618-395-7777 |
| Ottawa Township High School | Ottawa, IL | 61350 | 815-313-4360 |
| Harper College | Palatine, IL | 60067 | 847-925-6000 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | 60465 | 708-974-4300 |
| Americare Technical School | Park Ridge, IL | 60068 | 847-825-8773 |
| Career Options Inc. | Park Ridge, IL | 60068 | 847-297-3900 |
| Pekin Community High School | Pekin, IL | 61554 | 309-347-4101 |
| Illinois Central College - Pekin Campus | Pekin, IL | 61554 | 309-353-5088 |
| Illinois Central College - Peoria Campus | Peoria, IL | 61635 | 309-690-6800 |
| Lasalle Peru Area Career Center | Peru, IL | 61354 | 815-223-2454 |
| Northwest Iowa Community College | Quincy, IL | 62305 | 217-224-6500 |
| Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center | Quincy, IL | 62301 | 217-224-3775 |
| John Wood Community College | Quincy, IL | 62305 | 217-224-6500 |
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | 60171 | 708-456-0300 |
| Lincoln Trail College | Robinson, IL | 62454 | 618-544-8657 |
| Rockford Business College | Rockford, IL | 61107 | 0 |
| Saint Anthony College of Nursing | Rockford, IL | 61114 | 815-282-7900 |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | 61114 | 815-921-7821 |
| Wilco Area Career Center | Romeoville, IL | 60446 | 815-838-6941 |
| Genesis Healthcare Institute | Romeoville, IL | 60446 | 815-439-3970 |
| Rushville-Industry High School | Rushville, IL | 62681 | 0 |
| Oakton Community College | Skokie, IL | 60077 | 847-635-1600 |
| Chicago ORT Technical Institute | Skokie, IL | 60077 | 847-324-5588 |
| South Elgin High School | South Elgin, IL | 60177 | 847-289-3760 |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 60473 | 708-596-2000 |
| Prestige Nurse Aide Training Academy | South Holland, IL | 60473 | 708-331-4580 |
| Midwest Technical Institute | Springfield, IL | 62707 | 217-527-8324 |
| Friendly Training | Springfield, IL | 62702 | 217-836-5265 |
| SIU School of Medicine | Springfield, IL | 62702 | 217-545-8000 |
| Capital Area School of Practical Nursing | Springfield, IL | 62712 | 217-585-1215 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 62703 | 217-786-2200 |
| Orthopedic Center of Illinois | Springfield, IL | 62711 | 217-547-9100 |
| BrightStar Care Springfield / Bloomington | Springfield, IL | 62701 | 217-318-3396 |
| A Plus Healthcare Training | St. Charles, IL | 60174 | 630-549-0577 |
| TLC Health Care Institute | St. Charles, IL | 60174 | 630-549-0577 |
| Keyes2Life, Inc. | St. Charles, IL | 60174 | 844-539-3725 |
| Streamwood High School | Streamwood, IL | 60107 | 630-213-5500 |
| AVID CNA School | Streamwood, IL | 60107 | 630-855-3977 |
| Waubonsee Community College - Sugar Grove Campus | Sugar Grove, IL | 60554 | 630-466-7900 |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | 62992 | 618-634-3200 |
| Urbana Adult Education Center | Urbana, IL | 61801 | 217-384-3530 |
| STATE CAREER COLLEGE | Waukegan, IL | 60085 | 847-693-3838 |
| Best Step Academy | Westchester, IL | 60154 | 708-710-5714 |
| Northbrook College of Healthcare | Wheeling, IL | 60090 | 847-850-5700 |
| Woodstock High School | Woodstock, IL | 60098 | 815-338-4370 |
CNA Classes in Chicago
There are a lot of different options for CNA classes in Chicago. If you don’t have time to make classes regularly you can look for some hybrid courses with a blend of online and in-person learning, and occasionally you can find accelerated programs that offer four-week CNA classes in Chicago.
Phalanx Family Services: This is an eight-week program that is meant to teach basic nursing skills. However, the program is state-of-the-art and gives graduates a distinct advantage. Their program has financial assistance that is flexible for financially challenged families.
PC Center Training Institute: Students are prepared for a CNA career under the supervision of trained nurses. The program also prepares graduates for the state exam. After 120 hours of classes, students will have learned the basic nursing principles to succeed at work. The cost of tuition is $995, excluding materials for coursework.
Great Paragon Healthcare: This program provides classroom and clinical instruction to students. Registration requires a government-issued ID. The tuition is a reasonable $600, including a $100 registration fee. Materials for the course must be purchased apart from the tuition fees.
CNA Classes Chicago: A directory of all CNA programs located in the city of Chicago.
CNA Programs in Aurora
Envana Healthcare Training Center Inc.: This program requires the completion of 80 hours of theory and 40 hours of clinical work. An experienced instructor will take responsibility for CNA classes and education. Graduates will be prepared to take the competency exam. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. English competency is also required for this program. Tuition costs $800 plus an extra $77 for the course text and workbook.
CNA Programs in Rockford
CNA First by Medina: This program is an approved course that provides a downloadable student handbook. Graduates are qualified to take the competency test. Experienced instructors are available to teach the course. It lasts for seven weeks and includes 80 hours of theory with 40 hours of clinical study.
Additional Illinois CNA Resources
The information provided above can help you begin to accrue the needed qualifications for CNA work. Here are more resources listed below if necessary. To contact the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry, see the address below.
Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone: 844-789-3676
Out-of-State CNAs
CNAs who worked out of the state of Illinois may apply for inclusion if they are in good standing on their home state registry. Documentation of current registration from the home state is required. The documentation must show whether or not the certification meets the requirements outlined by the Code of Federal Regulations. A background check may also be required; no instances of abuse or neglect should be on the applicant’s record.
Renewal
Full-time working CNAs automatically retain their CNA certification in Illinois. However, a failure to work within a two-year period of registry listing will result in loss of certification. CNAs may reapply for certification. A manual skills test and a written competency test may be administered to the applicant.
How Much Does a CNA Make in Illinois?
The salary may vary by location and by skill sets. Some cities and regions in Illinois may offer a higher salary. Some facilities may offer a higher salary based on an applicant’s specific skill set. Experience is highly valued in this particular area of work, and experienced CNAs may earn more money than beginning CNAs. According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the average hourly pay for a CNA is $17.67, or a yearly salary of $36,750. This is slightly higher than the U.S. average of $17.41 per hour and $36,200 per year for CNAs.
