{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":"https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/health-care-regulation/health-care-worker-registry.html","board_email":"dph.hcwr@illinois.gov","board_fax":null,"board_mailing_address":null,"board_name":"Illinois Dept of Public Health","board_parent_org":null,"board_phone":"217-785-5133","board_physical_address":null,"board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":null,"ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Criminal records with disqualifying offenses require a formal waiver from IDPH, which can take 6-8 weeks to process.","title":"Disqualifying Convictions"},{"description":"Missing signatures, incorrect Social Security numbers, or missing fees will result in the application being returned.","title":"Incomplete Applications"},{"description":"SIUC does not accept personal checks or cash; using these will delay processing until a money order is provided.","title":"Payment Method Errors"},{"description":"Fingerprints must be taken by an Illinois-approved Livescan vendor; out-of-state prints are generally not accepted for the initial registry placement.","title":"Fingerprinting Out-of-State"}],"compact_member":null,"compact_name":null,"compact_privilege_fee":null,"created_at":"2026-04-11T20:10:54.757286+00:00","credential_type":null,"description":null,"endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":null,"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Ensure your CNA certification is active and in good standing on your current state's registry with no findings of abuse or neglect.","title":"Verify Home State Status","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Download and fill out the 'Out-of-State Nurse Aide Application' form.","title":"Complete Out-of-State Application","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Mail the completed application along with a $25.00 money order or cashier's check (payable to SIUC) to the Nurse Aide Testing office in Carbondale.","title":"Submit Application and Fee","url":"https://nurseaidetesting.com/out-of-state-cna/","url_label":"Mailing Instructions"},{"description":"After your application is processed, IDPH will mail you a Livescan Request Form. You must use this form to get fingerprinted at an Illinois-approved vendor.","title":"Complete Illinois Fingerprinting","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"No. Illinois does not issue paper certificates or license numbers. The Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR) is the sole official record of certification.","question":"Does Illinois issue a physical CNA license or certificate?"},{"answer":"There is no renewal application or fee. To stay active, you must work at least one 8-hour shift performing nursing-related services for pay under a licensed nurse's supervision every 24 months.","question":"How do I renew my Illinois CNA certification?"},{"answer":"If you have not worked in 24 months, you must recertify by passing both a manual skills evaluation and the written competency exam through SIUC.","question":"What happens if my CNA status becomes 'Inactive'?"},{"answer":"No, Illinois does not currently require continuing education hours for CNAs to maintain active status on the registry.","question":"Are there continuing education (CE) requirements for Illinois CNAs?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":null,"fingerprint_fee":null,"fingerprint_method_in_state":null,"fingerprint_method_out_of_state":null,"fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":null,"fingerprint_vendor_url":null,"initial_fee_amount":25.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":null,"last_updated":null,"last_verified":null,"license_duration":null,"licensing_pathway":null,"payload_url":null,"processing_time":"2 to 4 Weeks (for reciprocity applications)","profession":"Certified Nursing Assistant","provisional_info":null,"reciprocity_info":null,"renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years (based on employment and in-service education)","renewal_fee_amount":null,"renewal_portal_url":null,"required_documents":[{"description":"Certificate or transcript from an IDPH-approved BNATP.","name":"Proof of Training Completion","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"A copy of your official Social Security card is required for registry placement.","name":"Social Security Card","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Required for fingerprinting and admission to the testing center (e.g., Driver's License, Passport).","name":"Valid Government-Issued Photo ID","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"A uniquely generated form provided by your employer or training program for fingerprinting.","name":"Livescan Request Form","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"illinois-cna","state_name":"Illinois","state_slug":"illinois","statutes_url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1301&ChapterID=24","steps":[{"description":"Enroll in and successfully complete an Illinois-approved Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program (BNATP) consisting of at least 120 hours (80 classroom, 40 clinical).","title":"Complete an Approved Training Program","url":"https://hcwrpub.dph.illinois.gov/Programs.aspx","url_label":"Find Approved Programs"},{"description":"Your training program or employer will initiate a fingerprint-based criminal history records check through an IDPH-approved Livescan vendor.","title":"Undergo a Fingerprint Background Check","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Create an account on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) Nurse Aide Testing website to schedule and pay for your written competency exam.","title":"Register for the Competency Exam","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Successfully pass the 85-question multiple-choice exam. You have three attempts within one year of completing your training.","title":"Pass the Written Competency Exam","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Once you pass the exam and your background check is cleared, SIUC will report your results to the IDPH. Verify your 'Active' status on the Health Care Worker Registry.","title":"Verify Registry Status","url":"https://hcwrpub.dph.illinois.gov/Search.aspx","url_label":"Search Registry"}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":null,"temp_license_fee":null,"temp_license_processing_time":null,"updated_at":"2026-05-03T09:01:01.225375+00:00","verify_license_url":"https://hcwrpub.dph.illinois.gov/Search.aspx"}