Question 1

Illinois CNA Certification Overview

Accepted Answer

To become a Certified Nurse Aide in Illinois, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Illinois requires a minimum of 75 hours of CNA training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice in a long-term care setting.

The exam has two parts:
• A written (or oral) knowledge test: 70 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes
• A cl

Question 2

Illinois CNA Written Exam — What Is Tested

Accepted Answer

The Illinois written exam follows the NNAAP format. The 70 questions come from six content areas:

• Physical Care Skills (45%) — bathing, grooming, feeding, transfers, positioning, catheter care, elimination
• Safety & Emergency Procedures (14%) — fall prevention, RACE protocol, choking response, seizure care
• Infection Control (14%) — handwashing, PPE order, isolation precautions, standard precautions
• Resident Rights (11%) — OBRA protections, right to refuse, privacy, abuse and neglect repo

Question 3

Illinois Pearson VUE Testing Locations

Accepted Answer

The Illinois CNA written exam is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout the state:

• Chicago (multiple locations)
• Aurora and the western suburbs
• Rockford
• Springfield
• Peoria
• Champaign-Urbana
• Joliet
• Elgin
• Naperville

To find the nearest testing center and available exam dates, visit pearsonvue.com and search for Illinois nurse aide. Your training program will provide your authorization to test upon completion of the required coursework. Chicago-area testing slots f

Question 4

Illinois CNA Skills Test — What to Expect

Accepted Answer

The clinical skills evaluation is conducted at a Pearson VUE skills testing facility. You will demonstrate 5 randomly selected skills in front of a trained evaluator.

Handwashing is evaluated within every skill — perform proper hand hygiene at the start and end of each skill demonstration. Illinois evaluators frequently cite handwashing errors as a leading reason for skills test failure.

Commonly tested Illinois skills include:
• Handwashing
• Measuring and recording blood pressure
• Providing

Question 5

How to Prepare for the Illinois CNA Exam

Accepted Answer

Illinois has a written exam first-attempt pass rate of approximately 70–74%. Practice test preparation is the strongest factor in first-attempt success.

Recommended study approach:

1. Begin with a full 70-question diagnostic practice test. Use your topic results to identify your weakest areas before spending time on stronger topics.

2. Focus on Physical Care Skills first — 45% of the exam. Master transfer technique (gait belt positioning, wheelchair lock, pivot toward the stronger side), bath

Question 6

After You Pass — Illinois Nurse Aide Registry

Accepted Answer

After passing both parts of the Illinois exam, your name is added to the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry maintained by IDPH. Illinois employers are required by law to verify registry status before hiring.

Your Illinois CNA certification is valid for 24 months. To keep your certification active, you must work as a nurse aide for pay for at least 8 hours during each renewal period.

If your certification lapses, you must retake both the written and skills exams to be re-listed. You can check your Il

Free CNA Practice Test Illinois — NNAAP Exam Prep Guide

Illinois CNA Certification Overview

Illinois CNA Written Exam — What Is Tested

Illinois Pearson VUE Testing Locations

Illinois CNA Skills Test — What to Expect

How to Prepare for the Illinois CNA Exam

After You Pass — Illinois Nurse Aide Registry

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