2.3 Certification Maintenance, Renewal, and Reciprocity

Certification Maintenance, Renewal, and Reciprocity

Earning your Illinois CNA certification is just the beginning. Maintaining your active status on the Health Care Worker Registry requires ongoing compliance with work requirements and reporting obligations. Understanding these requirements will help you keep your certification in good standing throughout your career.

Maintaining Active Status

Unlike many other professional certifications, Illinois does not require a formal renewal application or renewal fee. Instead, your certification remains active as long as you meet the work requirement:

What Counts as Qualifying Work

To maintain your certification, the work must:

• Be paid employment (volunteer work does not count)
• Involve nursing or nursing-related services (direct patient care or related duties)
• Be performed under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
• Be at least one 8-hour shift within the 24-month period
• Be reported to the HCWR by the employer

Examples of qualifying work settings:

• Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Hospitals
• Home health agencies
• Assisted living facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Hospice programs

What Happens if Your Certification Lapses

If you do not complete the work requirement within 24 months:

Reciprocity (Transferring from Another State)

If you hold an active CNA certification in another state and want to work in Illinois, you can apply for reciprocity without retaking the exam:

Eligibility Requirements:

1. You must hold a current, active CNA certification in another state
2. You must be listed on another state's nurse aide registry as competent
3. Your other state's certification must meet federal CFR requirements (42 CFR 483.151 and 483.152)
4. You must have no substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation
5. You must pass the Illinois background check

Reciprocity Process:

1. Submit a reciprocity application to SIUC
2. Provide documentation of current registration from your other state
3. Pay the $25 reciprocity fee
4. Complete the Illinois background check
5. Await processing and HCWR listing (typically 4-6 weeks)

Important: Once granted reciprocity, you are not required to retest. Your Illinois certification will be based on your existing credentials from the other state.

Transferring FROM Illinois to Another State

If you are moving to another state:

1. Request a verification letter from the HCWR
2. Contact the new state's nurse aide registry to learn their reciprocity requirements
3. Apply for reciprocity in the new state
4. Some states may require you to take their state exam even with reciprocity
5. Your Illinois certification remains active as long as work requirements are met

Name Changes and Address Updates

You must keep your HCWR record current: