Illinois requires at least 120 hours of state-approved training before you can sit for the CNA certification exam and begin work as a Certified Nursing Assistant, a threshold that shapes every program option in the state. Net tuition for community college programs ranges from around $1,200 in-district at some downstate campuses to over $5,000 at suburban colleges near Chicago, a spread that mirrors cost differences across the Best Nursing Schools in Illinois, and it widens further once you add exam fees, scrubs, and clinical supplies. Rural programs in southern Illinois often have quicker clinical placements, while Chicago-area schools face longer waitlists for the same slots.
Format matters as much as price. Some colleges compress the 120 hours into four-week accelerated tracks with evening or weekend sessions; others stretch training across a full 16-week semester and blend online lectures with in-person labs. The Illinois Department of Public Health approves each curriculum, so the credential is the same regardless of timeline, but pass rates and employer reputation vary more than most prospective CNAs expect.
Illinois CNA Programs Ranked for 2027
The strongest Illinois CNA programs combine low real-world cost with clear paths to the state certification exam. The programs below stretch from the Chicago suburbs to southern and central Illinois, so most residents can find a respected option within a reasonable drive.
How we ranked these
- Financial aid and actual price
- Program completion and graduation rates
- Flexibility of class schedules
- Reported post-completion earnings
- Regional access and delivery options
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Rend Lake College
#1Ina, IL · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
Best for: First-time college students wanting affordable CNA training
Rend Lake College anchors the southern Illinois list with a Basic Nurse Assistant pathway approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The program pairs classroom and clinical learning to prepare students for the state CNA registry exam, and a grade of C or better keeps them on pace. Early entry is a genuine advantage: applicants can begin at 16, pass the required reading assessment, complete a background check, and hold CPR certification.
- IDPH-approved classroom and clinical training
- Grade of C or better required to pass
- Reading test minimum score of 235
- Minimum age of 16 with background check
- CPR certification required before starting
Carl Sandburg College
#2Galesburg, IL · ~$4,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Adults returning to school for one focused semester
Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg offers a certificate built for quick entry into the CNA workforce. The curriculum meets Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines and layers lecture, simulation lab, and clinical time, with no general education courses slowing students down. Admissions center on readiness: high school transcript, background check, drug screening, TB testing, and CPR certification are all part of the enrollment process.
- Cost about $1,945.50 for in-district students
- Meets Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines
- Combines lecture, simulation lab, and clinical work
- No general education courses required
- Background check, drug screen, TB test, and CPR required
- Prepares graduates for the state competency exam
John A Logan College
#3Carterville, IL · $5,000 – $8,000/yr
Best for: Career changers needing flexible start timelines
John A. Logan College in Carterville keeps its nursing assistant certificate lean: a single seven-credit course that brings together classroom, lab, and clinical learning. The IDPH-approved route is a practical fit for southern Illinois students headed toward hospitals or long-term care, and it can also satisfy requirements within the college's medical assistant pathway. Contact with Testing Services plus a criminal background check keep the entry process straightforward.
- Single 7-credit course taught as NAD 101
- IDPH-approved with classroom, lab, and clinical work
- Training designed for hospitals and long-term care
- Criminal background check required
- Contact Testing Services for admission details
Rock Valley College
#4Rockford, IL · $5,000/yr (net price)
Rock Valley College gives Rockford-area students a nursing aide certificate that fits around work and family commitments. The program includes 80 classroom hours and 40 clinical hours, with morning, afternoon, or evening sections available. Financial aid and scholarships are part of the picture, and a grade of C or better keeps students eligible for the Illinois state exam.
- 80 classroom hours plus 40 clinical hours
- Morning, afternoon, or evening scheduling available
- Certificate can be finished in 8, 14, or 16 weeks
- Grade of C or better required to pass
- Meets Illinois Department of Public Health requirements
- Financial aid and scholarships available
Oakton College
#5Des Plaines, IL · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
Oakton College, in Des Plaines in the northwest Chicago suburbs, offers an eight-credit Basic Nurse Assistant Training program that fits in one semester. Students move through lecture and hands-on clinical time, with hybrid and face-to-face sections available. Admission includes a program office interview, a 2.0 GPA minimum, and concurrent enrollment in the paired BNA courses, making the pathway structured and intentional.
- Eight credits completed in a single semester
- Hybrid or face-to-face class formats
- Hands-on clinical experiences at local healthcare facilities
- High school diploma and 2.0 GPA required
- Mandatory interview and testing appointment before enrollment
- 99% of graduates finish without debt
- Prepares for the Illinois state competency exam
Richland Community College
#6Decatur, IL · $4,000/yr
Richland Community College in Decatur delivers a nurse assistant basic certificate designed to be finished in a year or less. The campus-based curriculum emphasizes hands-on care under licensed nurse supervision, opening roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and home health. A standard college application process and several funding options make it a straightforward central Illinois starting point.
- Academic certificate completed in one year or less
- Covers basic patient care under licensed nurse supervision
- Career paths include hospitals, clinics, and home health
- Clinical experience is embedded for real-world readiness
- Financial aid, scholarships, and veteran benefits available
Illinois Valley Community College
#7Oglesby, IL · $2,000/yr
Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby offers an accelerated CNA certificate built for quick entry into the field. The eight-week format blends online theory through Brightspace with required lab and clinical hours in long-term care, and day and evening sections run across all three semesters. Illinois Valley also makes the state exam a low-friction step; it can be taken right on the IVCC campus, and the certificate sets up graduates for the college's LPN and RN programs.
- 8-week certificate with 6.5 total credit hours
- Online theory plus 20 lab and 40 clinical hours
- Day and evening sections each fall, spring, and summer
- State exam available on the IVCC campus
- Can serve as a prerequisite for IVCC's RN and LPN programs
- Total instruction exceeds 120 clock hours
Shawnee Community College
#8Ullin, IL · $5,000 – $8,000/yr
Shawnee Community College in Ullin offers a 130-hour Certified Nurse Assistant track for students across far southern Illinois. Most hours are spent in theory, with a sizable clinical block that prepares candidates for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency test and jobs in nursing homes and home health. The entrance requirements are clear and attainable: students must be at least 16, meet English placement standards, and complete a background check.
- 130 total training hours: 90 theory plus 40 clinical
- Eligible for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency test
- Open to students age 16 and older
- English placement and background check required
- 7.5 credit-hour certificate
- CPR training included
Kaskaskia College
#9Centralia, IL · $6,000/yr
Kaskaskia College in Centralia offers a nurse assistant certificate with a predictable cost and timeline. Students enroll in a seven-credit course that pairs classroom and lab work with clinical time in long-term care, and the full package including books and required fees comes to roughly $1,934. The 8-to-16 week structure gives southern Illinois students some choice in pace.
- 8 to 16 week completion window
- Total cost about $1,934, including books and required fees
- 7 credit hours with classroom, lab, and clinical sections
- IDPH-approved curriculum with Alzheimer's care training
- Prepares for the Illinois state CNA exam
Danville Area Community College
#10Danville, IL · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
Danville Area Community College's Certified Nurse Assistant pathway sets a high bar for its students: 100% attendance and an 82% course average are required on top of the 99 classroom hours and 40 clinical hours. The IDPH-guided curriculum serves east central Illinois and area employers, with state certification testing available after completion. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED, and non-native English speakers must show language proficiency.
- 99 classroom hours plus 40 clinical hours
- Requires 100% attendance and an 82% average
- High school diploma or GED required
- TOEFL required for non-native English speakers
- Leads to Illinois Department of Public Health certification
- Program is not eligible for federal financial aid
Moraine Valley Community College
#11Palos Hills, IL · $4,000 – $10,000/yr
Moraine Valley Community College, serving Chicago's southwest suburbs, takes a rigorous but flexible approach to CNA training. The Basic Nurse Assistant Training program covers 21 Illinois-required patient care skills and runs 8 or 16 weeks at Palos Hills, Tinley Park, and Blue Island locations. Limited class sizes and multiple schedule blocks keep clinical practice personal and practical.
- 64 classroom, 40 lab, and 40 clinical hours
- Covers 21 Illinois-required manual care skills
- IDPH-approved with state exam eligibility
- Offered at Palos Hills, Tinley Park, and Blue Island
- Fall, spring, and summer sessions in 8 or 16 week formats
- Morning, afternoon, and evening schedules available
- In-district tuition starts around $1,350, plus fees
- Limited to 24 students per section
Morton College
#12Cicero, IL · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
Morton College, in Chicago's near-west suburb of Cicero, frames its nursing assistant program as both a first job credential and a stepping stone in healthcare. Students practice the day-to-day tasks of patient care, including bathing, feeding, and mobility, while building communication and ethical workplace skills. Basic English and math placement plus a background check keep the start accessible for local applicants.
- Minimum age 16 and criminal background check required
- Basic English and arithmetic placement testing
- Covers bathing, feeding, and mobility assistance
- Emphasis on communication, ethics, and teamwork
- Hospital, long-term care, and home health career paths
Kishwaukee College
#13Malta, IL · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
Kishwaukee College in Malta offers an eight-week Basic Nurse Assisting certificate that mixes guided lab practice with clinical time around real patients. The Illinois Department of Public Health-approved route teaches skills such as blood pressure measurement and daily living assistance, then points graduates to the state competency exam. It is a practical entry point for students in the DeKalb area considering longer nursing programs.
- Eight-week campus-based completion format
- Hands-on lab and clinical work with real patients
- IDPH-approved curriculum
- Covers vital signs and daily living assistance
- Prepares for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam
John Wood Community College
#14Quincy, IL · ~$7,000/yr (est.)
John Wood Community College in Quincy stretches CNA training beyond the traditional classroom with hybrid options and clinical practice in nearby care settings. Students earn seven credit hours while learning anatomy, vital signs, patient care, and rehabilitation, with an in-district tuition of about $1,190. Mandatory orientation, background checks, and drug screening set clear expectations for healthcare work.
- Available in campus-based or hybrid formats
- 7-credit program with in-district tuition about $1,190
- Clinical practice in long-term care settings
- Mandatory orientation, background check, and drug screening
- Covers anatomy, vital signs, and person-centered care
- Day and evening options at multiple locations
Elgin Community College
#15Elgin, IL · ~$6,000/yr (est.)
Elgin Community College's Basic Nurse Assistant Training program serves the northwest Chicago suburbs with a traditional single-semester structure. Students complete seven credits of theory and clinical instruction, pay in-district tuition of about $1,061, and budget roughly another $450 for health, background, and uniform costs. Admission stays accessible for ages 16 and up, though reading and math prerequisites plus full health documentation are required.
- 7-credit campus-based program in a single semester
- In-district tuition about $1,061 plus required costs
- Minimum age 16 with reading and math prerequisites
- IDPH-approved and prepares for the state competency exam
- Fall, spring, and summer class sessions
- Background check, drug test, and health insurance proof required
- Requires BLS CPR certification and clinical-site transportation
Olney Central College
#16Olney, IL · ~$10,000/yr (est.)
Olney Central College, part of the Illinois Eastern Community College system, brings a strong pass-rate record to its Certified Nurse Aide training. Students can choose a 16-week format in fall or spring or an accelerated 8-week summer session, with clinical hours completed at local hospitals. A mandatory orientation and fingerprint background check precede the program, and Olney reports a first-time state exam pass rate of 96.6% for its 2024 cohort.
- IDPH certification pathway with classroom and clinical hours
- 16-week fall or spring format
- 8-week summer format available
- Clinical hours at local hospitals
- Mandatory orientation and fingerprint background check
- First-time pass rate of 96.6% for 2024
Southeastern Illinois College
#17Harrisburg, IL · ~$11,000/yr (est.)
Southeastern Illinois College, with locations in Harrisburg and Carmi, offers a certified nurse assistant route with an unusual price advantage: tuition is waived for in-district students, who pay qualifying fees of about $369. The IDPH-approved certificate includes classroom and clinical training and does not require a high school diploma or GED, though reading assessments still apply. This is one of the most affordable CNA paths for southern Illinois residents.
- Tuition waived for in-district students; fees about $369
- No high school diploma or GED required
- IDPH-approved with classroom and clinical training
- Reading assessment required before enrollment
- Offered at Harrisburg and Carmi campuses
- Eligible for the Illinois state competency exam
- Program is not eligible for federal financial aid
Triton College
#18River Grove, IL · $5,000 – $15,000/yr
Triton College in River Grove offers a nursing assistant certificate built on lectures, lab practice, and clinical experience near Chicago's western suburbs. The IDPH-approved program leads to the Illinois Nurse Aide Test and prepares graduates for work in hospitals, long-term care, and related settings. A mandatory information session, the college application, and any needed placement steps keep entry structured.
- IDPH-approved and leads to the Illinois Nurse Aide Test
- Mix of lectures, labs, and clinical experiences
- Mandatory information session and college application required
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- Certificate prepares graduates for healthcare employment
Lincoln Land Community College
#19Springfield, IL · $4,000 – $10,000/yr
Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield offers a Basic Nurse Assistant certificate with 8-week and 16-week start options plus rolling admission across three terms. The state-recognized curriculum costs about $1,036 for in-district students and is supported by financial aid and institutional grant dollars. For central Illinois learners, it is a direct route to the CNA state exam.
- 8-week or 16-week completion options
- In-district tuition about $1,036 plus textbooks and scrubs
- Rolling admissions for fall, spring, and summer
- Covers nursing fundamentals, anatomy, and legal aspects
- Financial aid and grants available
- Competency exam fee of $85 and drug screening required
Lewis and Clark Community College
#20Godfrey, IL · under $5,000/yr
Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey gets students through nurse assistant training within a one-semester, one-course format that includes 48 clinical hours. The certificate prepares graduates for the Illinois CNA exam and jobs in area hospitals, nursing homes, and community health agencies. Entry requirements are transparent, and financial aid plus PATH Grant eligibility can lower the out-of-pocket cost for many students.
- One-course certificate with 48 clinical hours
- Certificate of Completion awarded
- Eligible for the Illinois CNA exam
- Strong pass rates on state certification tests
- Eighth-grade completion, health exam, and immunizations required
- Background check and drug test required
- Financial aid and PATH Grant eligible
McHenry County College
#21Crystal Lake, IL · $4,000 – $14,000/yr
McHenry County College in Crystal Lake takes a structured 16 weeks to deliver its Basic Nursing Assistant Certificate, going beyond state minimums with 136 total instructional hours. Students spend 48 of those hours in clinical settings while also completing theory and lab work. In-district cost runs about $1,535.75, and graduates leave eligible for the Illinois state nursing aide exam.
- 16-week, 7-credit certificate
- 136 total hours including 48 clinical hours
- In-district cost about $1,535.75 including fees
- Exceeds Illinois state training requirements
- Background check, fingerprinting, and medical forms required
- IDPH-approved and prepares for the state exam
- No online option
College of Lake County
#22Grayslake, IL · ~$8,000/yr (est.)
College of Lake County in Grayslake designs its nurse assisting certificate around flexibility for working adults. Students can complete the 7-credit program in as little as eight weeks full time, with day, evening, weekend, virtual, and in-person options. Clinical training in local facilities prepares graduates for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Examination, and funding paths include dual credit, PATH grants, and WIOA vouchers.
- 7-credit certificate with a 2-to-4 month completion range
- Full-time students can finish in 8 weeks
- Prepares for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Examination
- Clinical training in local healthcare facilities
- Day, evening, weekend, and online formats
- Background check, drug screen, and medical clearance required
- Dual credit, PATH Grant, and WIOA voucher eligibility
Sauk Valley Community College
#23Dixon, IL · $8,000/yr
Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon offers an IDPH-approved nurse assistant program with classroom and clinical learning spread over 8 to 16 weeks. The curriculum focuses on hygiene, nutrition, and mobility support, with estimated in-district costs starting around $1,392. Graduates are prepared for certification work in nursing homes, hospitals, and home care, and the course can serve as a foundation for further healthcare study.
- 8 to 16 week program with at least 8 credit hours
- In-district cost about $1,392 including tuition and fees
- Covers hygiene, nutrition, and mobility support
- IDPH-approved and eligible for the competency exam
- Open to students age 16 or older
- Work settings include nursing homes, hospitals, and home care
Joliet Junior College
#24Joliet, IL · $5,000 – $14,000/yr
Joliet Junior College, the state's first community college, offers a Certified Nurse Assistant program that exceeds Illinois minimum training hours and reports strong state exam pass rates. The program includes in-person and online orientation options, and Illinois MAP Grant funding may cover costs for eligible students. With an age minimum of 16 and no need for a high school diploma, it is one of the most open-access entry points on this list.
- IDPH-approved and exceeds state minimum hours
- High pass rates on the Illinois state exam
- Open at age 16 with an eighth-grade education
- In-person and online orientation options
- IL MAP Grant funding may cover costs
- Includes HIPAA, safety, and Alzheimer's care training
- Career outlook with projected 11% job growth
What Drives Our Illinois CNA Rankings
A directory that simply lists every state-approved program is not the same as a ranking built to help you choose. Our list of top Illinois CNA programs leans heavily on affordability first, then folds in graduation outcomes, because cost is usually the biggest barrier standing between a prospective nursing assistant and a completed certificate.
How We Weigh Cost and Outcomes
Net price, what students actually pay after grants, scholarships, and other aid, carries the most weight in our scoring. We layer in graduation rate and available program outcome data on top of that affordability picture. The result favors schools that combine a manageable price tag with a track record of getting students through to completion, rather than schools that simply have the lowest sticker price or the flashiest marketing.
Context Matters for the Numbers
Two important caveats apply here. First, graduation rate reflects the institution as a whole, not the CNA program specifically, since program-level completion data is rarely published separately. Treat it as a proxy for how well a school supports students generally, not a guarantee about the nurse aide track. Second, the net price figure is an average after aid, and every student's actual cost will differ based on income, residency, and eligibility. Always contact a program directly for a personalized estimate before enrolling.
Why This Differs From a Basic List
What separates this ranking from a plain directory is the combination of affordability scoring and outcome data working together. And when we label a program online, on-campus, or both, that designation comes from how the program actually delivers instruction, not from a school's own self-reported marketing language.
What CNA Certification Actually Costs in Illinois
The sticker price of a CNA program is only part of the picture. Tuition at Illinois community colleges can range from roughly $1,000 to $5,000 depending on residency status, but every student also pays for exam fees, supplies, and clinical requirements. Private training centers and employer-sponsored programs shift these numbers further. Below is a realistic breakdown of total out-of-pocket costs for a typical community college CNA program in Illinois.
No-Cost and Low-Cost CNA Training in Illinois
Illinois currently lists roughly 18 No-Cost CNA Programs, more than most states offer, but almost none of them are free in the way students first assume.
Employer-Sponsored Programs
Federal law under OBRA requires nursing facilities that train their own aides to do so at no cost to the trainee, and several Illinois employers run these programs at scale. Plymouth Place CNA Academy (123 hours), Heritage Operations Group, Marshall Rehab and Nursing, and St. Elizabeth's Hospital Vocational College all advertise zero tuition. The trade-off is a service commitment: most expect graduates to work at the sponsoring facility for six months to a year after certification, and terms differ by employer, so ask before you sign anything.
WIOA Workforce Funding
The broadest free-training route runs through Illinois workNet centers, which administer Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act vouchers. Eligibility generally covers unemployed, underemployed, or dislocated workers, adults 18 and older, and household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. You apply through your local workforce board, not the school directly. Approved CNA Classes & Programs include Prairie State College ($1,970), College of DuPage ($1,885), the Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program ($1,985), and College of Lake County. Satellite CNA's 8-week, 140-hour course totals $3,300, but the WIOA tuition cap is $3,000, leaving a small gap plus non-tuition costs for some students.
Community College Waivers and Other Options
Southeastern Illinois College waives in-district tuition for its CNA course, though separate fees still apply. Paul Simon Chicago Job Corps Center covers training entirely for eligible young adults, generally ages 16 to 24. American Red Cross CNA offerings exist in some regions, but coverage and any fee assistance vary by chapter, so confirm locally.
Read the Fine Print
Even programs billed as free rarely cover everything. Background checks, physical exams, uniforms, and the state competency exam fee often land on the student, so ask for a full cost breakdown before you enroll.
Illinois by City
Explore other Illinois related topics
CNA Training Timelines: 4-Week Fast Track to Full-Semester Options
Illinois requires a minimum of 120 approved training hours, broken down into 62 hours of theory, 18 hours of lab, and 40 hours of supervised clinical instruction. How those hours are scheduled determines whether you finish in a month or across an entire semester. Here is how the three most common formats compare.
| Feature | 4-Week Fast Track | 8-Week Standard | Full-Semester (16 Weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar length | Approximately 4 weeks | Approximately 8 weeks | 16 weeks (one full academic term) |
| Typical weekly commitment | 5 to 6 days per week, often full-day sessions | 1 to 3 days per week, with a mix of class and clinical days | 1 to 2 days per week, lighter weekly load |
| Schedule format | Daytime intensive or hybrid (online lectures plus in-person clinicals) | Daytime or evening sections; some programs meet 2 to 4 evenings per week from roughly 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Follows the regular college calendar with classroom, lab, and clinical hours spread across the term |
| Total training hours | 120 hours (Illinois IDPH minimum) | 120 to 125 hours depending on the college | 140 or more hours at some colleges (e.g., Heartland Community College includes 90 classroom and lab hours plus 50 clinical hours) |
| Best suited for | Students who can devote full days to training and want to enter the workforce quickly | Working adults or students who need a moderate pace with some scheduling flexibility | Students balancing other coursework, family obligations, or part-time jobs |
| Example Illinois programs | Various private training centers across Chicago and statewide (verify IDPH approval before enrolling) | Illinois Valley Community College, Black Hawk College | Heartland Community College (NURS 110, offered in both 8-week and 16-week formats) |
Can You Study for Your CNA Online in Illinois?
Illinois does not offer a fully online CNA credential, and that is by design: the state keeps hands-on training in person while allowing part of the theory work to move online.
Illinois requires at least 120 total training hours for a CNA. The classroom/theory portion is where online work is allowed. Under the IDPH hybrid policy, typically up to 60 of those classroom hours may be delivered online, while at least 20 hours of lab/skills training must remain face-to-face. The 40 clinical hours, however, must always be completed in person at an IDPH-approved facility. Programs may exceed these minimums, but they cannot go below them. No simulation or virtual clinical is accepted in place of those hands-on hours.
Online hours must be synchronous and proctored. Self-paced or asynchronous modules are not approved; an instructor has to be available during the session and reachable shortly afterward.
What a Hybrid CNA Program Looks Like
Students often watch lectures and skill demonstration videos on a scheduled online platform, then come to campus for in-person lab practice. A typical week might include a live online lecture on infection control, followed by an in-person lab session covering transfers and personal care. Clinical rotations follow at a nursing home or hospital. Community colleges and private training schools are the main providers of this format.
Before You Enroll
Ask the school to confirm its online component is part of an IDPH-approved Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program. A program listed as online or hybrid should not be mistaken for fully remote: it simply means some didactic hours can be completed online. Verify the site and schedule for lab and clinical attendance before you commit.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Illinois CNA Exam: Format, Fees, and Pass Rates
What does the Illinois CNA exam actually involve, and what happens if you don't pass on the first try?
The Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam (INACE) is administered through Illinois Nurse Aide Testing at SIUC and has two parts you must clear separately: a 70-question knowledge test (available in written or oral format) requiring 70 percent correct, roughly 49 questions, and a hands-on skills demonstration where you're randomly assigned 5 tasks to perform in front of an evaluator, such as handwashing, transferring a patient, or taking vital signs.1
Fees and Scheduling
Current pricing runs $85 for your initial attempt, $85 if you need to retake, and $55 if you miss your scheduled test date and need to reschedule. Fees have shifted over the years, so always confirm the current amount before you register.
If You Don't Pass
Candidates get two retake attempts within 12 months of finishing their training program. If you fail three times, or your window closes before you pass, you'll need to retrain before testing again. Plan your first attempt carefully, since retesting adds both cost and delay to your certification timeline.
How Illinois Candidates Are Doing
Statewide data from 2024 showed a 91 percent first-time pass rate, with early 2025 figures around 88 percent.1 Program-level results vary: Carl Sandburg College reported 92.7 percent in 2025 and 89.5 percent in 2024,2 while Illinois Central College posted 92 percent for 2023-2024. These numbers suggest your choice of training program can meaningfully affect your odds.
To prepare, many candidates work through practice exams that mirror the question format and skills checklist you'll face on test day.
What CNAs Earn Across Illinois
According to the most recent Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), Illinois nursing assistants earn a statewide median salary of $45,960 per year. That figure sits comfortably above the national median for CNAs, reflecting strong demand across the state's hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. While metro-level breakdowns are not currently published for every Illinois region, the statewide percentile spread gives a clear picture of what entry-level, mid-career, and experienced CNAs can expect. It is worth noting that a CNA earning around $46,000 in a downstate city like Peoria or Springfield will generally stretch that paycheck further than a counterpart in the Chicago metro area, where housing and transportation costs run significantly higher.
| Wage Percentile | Annual Salary | Approximate Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 25th Percentile (Entry Level) | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Mean (Average) | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| 75th Percentile (Experienced) | $48,380 | $23.26 |