Free Illinois CNA Exam Prep
Illinois Certified Nursing Assistant (INACE)
Pass your Illinois CNA exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
Quick Facts
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Illinois CNA License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to maximize your chances of passing on the first try
Complete an IDPH-Approved BNATP
Enroll in and complete an Illinois IDPH-approved Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program. After completing training, your program coordinator will submit your eligibility roster to SIUC so you can create an INACE account and schedule your exam.
Illinois Regulations & Registry RequirementsYou are here
Study Illinois-specific rules: IDPH Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR), Illinois Administrative Code Title 77 Part 395 (120-hour BNATP), Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45), Health Care Worker Background Check Act (225 ILCS 46), mandatory abuse/neglect reporting under 210 ILCS 30, and the 12-month/3-attempt INACE testing window.
Physical Care Skills & Infection Control (39% of Exam)
Master personal care ADLs (bathing sequence, perineal care, dressing weak side first), basic nursing skills (vital signs ranges, body mechanics, positioning/transfers), and infection control (standard precautions, hand hygiene steps, PPE donning/doffing, C. diff/MRSA/TB isolation).
Safety, Communication & Resident Rights (28% of Exam)
Study fall prevention (MORSE scale basics), fire safety (RACE/PASS), restraint-free alternatives, therapeutic communication techniques, SBAR reporting, documentation rules, OBRA resident rights, and Illinois-specific abuse definitions and mandatory reporting timelines.
Clinical Skills Evaluation Preparation
Practice the required clinical skills (hand hygiene, vital signs, transfers, perineal care, etc.). Each step must be performed correctly — partial credit is not awarded. Simulate the skills checklist timing used by INACE evaluators.
Can You Take the Illinois CNA Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •Must successfully complete an IDPH-approved BNATP (120 hours) before applying to test
- •Must pass both the INACE written exam (85 questions, 90 min) AND a clinical skills evaluation (5 skills from 21 mandated)
- •Must pass the INACE within 12 months of program completion, with a maximum of 3 attempts before retraining is required
- •Must not have a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on any state nurse aide registry
- •Registration is through SIUC Nurse Aide Testing Program — online at inace.nurseaidetesting.com
- •Results posted to Illinois Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR) approximately 2 weeks after testing
- •Out-of-state CNAs must apply through the SIUC Out-of-State application process
Illinois CNA Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
2-4 weeks after completing training program (schedule at inace.nurseaidetesting.com)
From start to license in hand
Exam Provider
SIUC Nurse Aide Testing Program (on behalf of Illinois IDPH)
Retake Policy
Candidates score the two parts independently and retake only the part they fail. You may fail up to 3 times, but all attempts must fall within 12 months of program completion; after a third failure you must complete a new BNATP before retesting. Reschedule through the INACE portal.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free Illinois CNA Prep That Actually Works
85+ Practice Questions
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Updated for 2026
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What You'll Study
14 chapters covering everything you need to pass
Introduction to Illinois CNA Certification
3 sections
Illinois Regulatory Framework and the Health Care Worker Registry
3 sections
Patient Rights, Legal Considerations, and Ethics
4 sections
Communication, Documentation, and the Healthcare Team
3 sections
Infection Control and Prevention
3 sections
Safety, Emergency Procedures, and Fall Prevention
3 sections
Body Mechanics, Transfers, and Patient Mobility
3 sections
Vital Signs, Measurements, and Observations
4 sections
Personal Care Skills
3 sections
Nutrition, Hydration, and Feeding Assistance
2 sections
Elimination, Bowel and Bladder Care, and Catheter Management
2 sections
Mental Health, Cognitive Care, and Behavioral Management
2 sections
The 21 Illinois Clinical Performance Skills — Mastery Guide
2 sections
Illinois CNA Career Development, Salary, and Advancement
3 sections
Illinois CNA Exam Details
Illinois Certified Nursing Assistant (INACE)
Administered by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) / SIUC Nurse Aide Testing
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) / SIUC Nurse Aide Testing content outline
Bathing, grooming, oral hygiene, dressing, nutrition/feeding, elimination, perineal care, comfort measures
Vital signs, body mechanics, positioning, transfers, wound observation, data collection and reporting, catheter care
Range of motion exercises, ambulation and assistive devices, restorative programs, self-care independence, prevention of complications
Dementia/Alzheimer's care, mental health basics (depression, anxiety), spiritual and cultural needs, behavioral interventions
Scope of practice, interdisciplinary team, delegation from RN/LPN, ethics, professionalism, care planning under Illinois law
Hand hygiene, PPE, standard and transmission-based precautions, medical vs. surgical asepsis, isolation procedures
Fall prevention, fire safety (RACE/PASS), restraint alternatives, disaster preparedness, resident/patient safety in Illinois LTC
Therapeutic communication, reporting to charge nurse, SBAR, documentation, verbal and nonverbal communication
OBRA 1987 rights, Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45), abuse/neglect definitions and mandatory reporting, dignity and privacy
What's Included
14 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
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What's Next After the Illinois CNA?
After passing the Illinois CNA, you can pursue these career paths
Illinois CNA Exam FAQ
Official Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) / SIUC Nurse Aide Testing Resources
Verify information with these official sources
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