CNA Program

The Urbana Adult Education Center (UAEC) holds two Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training classes during the Fall and Spring semester.

Students are required to take a TABE reading test to determine acceptance into UAEC’s CNA program. If students test too high for the program, they will not be allowed to retake the test in an attempt to qualify for the class. These students should apply to Parkland. If students test too low and would like to retake it, they are limited to one retake per school year. If they test too low on the second retake, they will need to complete the UAEC’s CNA Bridge class (if offered) in order to enroll in that school year’s CNA program.

• This CNA training program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
• The Urbana Adult Education Center’s CNA course requirements are specific to the State of Illinois. Upon successful completion of the CNA training program at Urbana Adult Education, students are eligible to sit for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam (INACE).
• The classroom phase of the CNA class approximately is 5-6 weeks.
• The clinical portion is approximately 2 weeks.
• Any day(s) canceled due to inclement weather (i.e. snow days) must be made up per Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines.
• Classes are held at the OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center – OSF HealthCare (1400 W Park St, Urbana, IL 61801). Clinical rotation location is TBA.

CNA 2026-27 Schedule (All dates and times subject to change)

Session 1: CNA class TBD

Registration for the 2026 – 2027 Academic Year is open 

These are the basic requirements/prerequisites that CNA students must meet:

• Persons enrolled in or graduated from a Community college or University degree program are not eligible for our program.
• Students must have an original Social Security card or a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN).
• Students will need to show proof of immunizations including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Varicella, and Influenza.
• Persons who are currently on probation (for any reason) or parole (for any conviction) are not eligible for our program.
• If the CNA student requires a waiver of his/her criminal history, he/she will need to complete a healthcare worker waiver application. The student must be approved and have the approval letter with him/her when he/she applies for the class. Do not bring us the waiver application. Send the waiver application to the Illinois Department of Public Health.  The decision regarding the waiver is made by the Illinois Department of Public Health. This is a six to eight-week process.