Rock Valley College
3301 N. Mulford Road
Basic Nurse Assistant Training
- Duration:
- 8 weeks
- Phone:
- (815) 921-7821
CNA Classes in Rockford, IL
1 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training program in Rockford. Illinois requires 120 hours of training and uses Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) — Illinois Nurse Aide Testing for the competency exam.
Programs in Rockford
1
State Required Hours
120 hours
Exam Vendor
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) — Illinois Nurse Aide Testing
All CNA Programs in Rockford
Becoming a CNA in Illinois
Becoming a CNA in Illinois is a 120-hour commitment — substantially more than the federal 75-hour minimum but less than California's 160. Most candidates complete full-time Basic Nurse Assistant Training Programs (BNATPs) in 6 to 10 weeks, with the 120 hours split into 80 hours of classroom and skills-lab time and 40 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care setting. The Illinois Community College Board co-approves BNATPs alongside IDPH, which means community colleges across the state run the largest network of low-cost training options — typically in the $400 to $1,200 range, with many districts offering financial aid for healthcare pathway students.
Frequently Asked Questions: CNA Training in Rockford
How many CNA training programs are available in Rockford, IL?
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Our directory lists 1 state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training program in Rockford, IL. All programs must meet Illinois's minimum of 120 hours and prepare graduates to sit for the Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) — Illinois Nurse Aide Testing competency exam.
What is the fastest CNA program in Rockford?
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Rock Valley College offers the shortest published program in Rockford at 8 weeks. Illinois requires 120 hours of state-approved training, so any accelerated program must compress the required hours into a shorter calendar window through full-time scheduling. Call (815) 921-7821 for current cohort start dates.
How do I become a CNA in Rockford, IL?
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To work as a CNA in Rockford, you must meet a Illinois-approved training program of at least 120 hours, pass the Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) — Illinois Nurse Aide Testing competency exam (Two-part Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Exam: an 85-question written knowledge test (90 minutes) plus a manual skills component covering the 21 mandated nurse aide skills), and clear a Illinois Healthcare Worker Background Check Act fingerprinting. Most candidates complete the full process in 8–14 weeks (training is typically 6–10 weeks, exam and registry listing 2–4 weeks).
Are there free CNA classes in Rockford?
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No Rockford program on our directory currently advertises free tuition, but many Illinois nursing facilities pay for CNA training in exchange for a work commitment after certification. Ask local long-term care employers about employer-sponsored training programs, and check the American Red Cross and Job Corps for additional pathways.