Thinking about a career where you genuinely make someone’s day better? Learning to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Home Health Aide (HHA) in Illinois could be your ticket. These roles are all about helping people live healthier, happier lives—whether that’s fixing breakfast, keeping company, or supporting them in daily routines. Training takes just a few weeks or months, job demand is strong, and hey, nobody regrets choosing a caring career. Let’s explore your training path to making this actually happen in Illinois.
Types of Training: College vs Vocational School
Public & Private Colleges in Illinois
In Illinois, many caregiver training programs are offered through community colleges like College of DuPage, Illinois Central College, and Joliet Junior College. These schools are approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to offer CNA training. Classes are often scheduled in semesters or quarters, and students can usually apply for state or federal financial aid like the MAP Grant or FAFSA. These programs give you a solid foundation with extra coursework in healthcare basics or patient care, but the timelines are usually a bit longer—around 8 to 12 weeks or more—and tuition may vary based on residency.
Vocational & Career Schools in Illinois
If you’re looking to jump into the workforce quickly, Illinois has dozens of licensed vocational training centers, especially in places like Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield. These schools often offer accelerated CNA or HHA programs that meet IDPH guidelines—sometimes as fast as 4 to 6 weeks. They focus on hands-on learning from day one, helping you complete clinical hours quickly. While many are privately owned, they’re still regulated by the state. However, these programs might not qualify for federal financial aid, so most students pay out-of-pocket or use payment plans.
Public & Private Colleges with CNA/HHA Programs
Vocational & Career Schools with Caregiver Training
CNA vs HHA in Illinois: What’s the Real Deal?
- CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant): Trains for 120 hours total—80 in the classroom and ~40 hours clinical—and lets you work in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and sometimes home health Nursing IllinoisVivian Health+4ZipRecruiter+4Nursing Process+4. Once you’ve trained, you take a competency test and get listed on the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry Bureau of Labor Statistics+15IL Public Health Worker Registry+15Healthcare Pathway+15.
- HHA (Home Health Aide): Also requires 120 hours of training (with 16 clinical hands‑on hours) Dreambound+1Healthcare Pathway+1. HHAs mostly work in clients’ homes, supporting daily living activities with supervision from nurses. They don’t always need to work in facilities.
In short: both have similar training time, but CNAs have broader settings (like hospitals), and HHAs are more focused on in‑home care.
What About PCA?
In Illinois, Personal Care Aide (PCA) roles are typically entry-level, non-certified caregiving jobs. While there’s no official license or state exam, many home care agencies offer their own training (around 40 hours). PCAs help with non-medical tasks like grooming and meal prep for seniors living at home.
Job Market & Salary Snapshot (as of July 2025)
- CNA Demand: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 4 % growth from 2023 to 2033—roughly average growth with 216,000+ annual openings across roles Nursing Illinois+15Bureau of Labor Statistics+15CareAcademy+15.
- Illinois CNA Salary: Average hourly wage is about $14.31 Vivian Health+1Nursing Illinois+1. ZipRecruiter reports home‑health aide CNAs in Illinois earn around $17.26/hour (~$35,900/year) ZipRecruiter.
- Illinois HHA Salary: On average, HHAs earn $35,270 annually Dreambound.
- Broader Workforce Trends: Direct care jobs nationwide are expected to have 8.9 million openings from 2022‑32 PHI. Illinois specifically faces RN shortages too—nearly 15,000 by 2025—so entry‑level caregivers are critical ILLINOIS NURSES’ Grassroots Coalition+1IL Public Health Worker Registry+1.
Licensing & Certification Requirements
For CNAs in Illinois:
- Complete a state‑approved 120‑hour program (80 classroom + 40 clinical) Illinois Central College+9NursingHome411+9Dreambound+9.
- Pass competency test (written + skills).
- Be listed on the Nurse Aide Registry, managed by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) IL Public Health Worker Registry+1Bureau of Labor Statistics+1.
- Stay active: Work at least one 8‑hour paid shift every 24 months to keep certification valid Illinois General Assembly+1NursingHome411+1.
- Background Check: Must pass registry background checks; convictions may disqualify or require waivers Illinois Department of Public Health.
For HHAs in Illinois:
- Complete a 120‑hour approved training—including 16 hours of clinical CareAcademyDreambound.
- Pass a state competency evaluation.
- Background check as per Home Care Worker regulations; registry checks apply Bureau of Labor Statistics+2Dreambound+2Vivian Health+2.
- Annual training: 12 hours each year to keep skills and certification current CareAcademy.
Next Steps
- Goal: Decide which path suits you better—CNA for facility-based roles, HHA for home care.
- Pick a school: Public vs vocational, check schedules, formats, clinical hours, and prices.
- Finish and test: Wrap your training, pass tests and get registered.
- Start working: You’re ready for roles paying $14–17 an hour, with training done in just a few months.
Ready to Get Going?
Training, testing, and caring—you get what you put in! If you want help choosing a school, comparing costs, or understanding financial aid options, I’ve got your back. Let’s find your path to a fulfilling career in care.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Program costs, durations, and requirements are subject to change. Always check with IL‑approved schools and the Illinois Department of Public Health for the latest and most accurate info.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook (CNA data) Illinois Department of Public Health+12Illinois Central College+12Illinois General Assembly+12ZipRecruiter+9Bureau of Labor Statistics+9IntelyCare+9
- Illinois Nurse Aide Registry & certification info CareAcademy+11IL Public Health Worker Registry+11Wikipedia+11
- IL CNA program & work requirements Wikipedia+2Nursing Illinois+2Nursing Process+2
- CareAcademy training hour requirements CareAcademy+1HomeCare Pulse+1
- HHA training & salary in IL Dreambound
- Illinois CNA salary details Wikipedia+5ZipRecruiter+5Nursing Process+5
- National direct care workforce data PHI+1Healthcare Pathway+1
- RN shortage in Illinois Wikipedia+4ILLINOIS NURSES’ Grassroots Coalition+4Nursing Illinois+4