Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Registration Requirements

Professional Appearance: The goal is to maintain a clean, neat, and professional look that aligns with the expectations of healthcare settings.

The uniform must be worn to every clinical session. Students must maintain a clean, neat and professional appearance.

• Navy blue scrub pants: Must be hemmed and not touch the floor. No jogger-style pants.
• Navy blue scrub top: Must have pockets and fully cover undergarments. A plain white or navy shirt may be worn underneath for warmth. No colored undershirts or bras should be visible.
• Shoes: Must be white, navy, or black; made of leather or plastic; closed-toe and closed-back; flat; skid-resistant; and free of designs or other colors. Shoes must be clean. No sandals, high heels, clogs, or shoes with openings,
• Socks: White socks that show above the ankle must be worn
• Scrub jacket: May be required
• Students must be neatly and conservatively dressed at all times

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) mandates that all students attend allocated hours of theory and clinical instruction as well as demonstrating manual skills competence in order to be eligible for the state certification exam. College of DuPage complies with this law and has written the program to include the prescribed number of instruction hours and break time to meet all laws regulating the program. The CNATP requires students to attend all instructional and clinical times as well as passing grades on all aspects of the course. Therefore, attendance at ALL theory classes and ALL clinical sessions is mandatory.

Reference: Illinois Administrative Code Title 77 Section 395.150

CNA students will have their fingerprinting done for the background check at orientation.

All health care workers and student health care workers are required to undergo a criminal background check in order to work in a clinical setting. A student with a positive background check containing disqualifying conditions as defined by Federal and State law will not be allowed to enter the clinical portion of the program. A student with a positive background check containing disqualifying conditions as defined by Illinois State Law (225ILCS46/25) and 77 Ill Adm. Code 955 Section 955.160 will not be allowed to enter the clinical portion of this program, thus preventing the student from obtaining mandated certification and/or licensure.

College of DuPage will send all official communications to you through your official COD email (dupage.edu). You will no longer be able to use a preferred email account. You do have the option to forward these communications to a personal email account if you wish. Check out your COD email to get the message about:

• Official COD communications
• Financial aid communications
• Petition to graduate
• Transfer credit evaluation
• Prerequisite proof Sensitive
• FERPA-related communications
• Transcript order Important messages from instructors

For more information, see the College's student email policy.

Watch the mandatory Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Information Video and take the quiz online within a 12-month period prior to the registration deadline. This is the recommended first step.

If you have not been admitted to COD, complete the non-refundable $20 https://cod.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/. This application is for general admissions to COD only. 

• If you are an F-1 International Student, you must receive prior approval from the International Student Advisor in the International Student Admissions Office, Student Services Center (SSC), Room 2225 prior to registration.
• Any student under the age of 18 will need to contact the dual enrollment department before enrolling and refer to the online instructions for details.
• Student must be at least 16 years old and be able to provide a valid Social Security Number or ITIN to participate in the program

To ensure that all of your eligible credits are evaluated towards the admission requirements, turn in ALL official transcripts from institutions that you have attended. Immediately:

• Submit your official transcript(s) to College of DuPage, Office of Student Records. If College of DuPage is the only institution you have attended, you do not need to request official transcripts.
• Verify receipt of your transcript(s). Log into myACCESS account, click on ‘myACCESS’, select ‘My Profile’. The receipt status of your transcript will be listed under ‘Transcript Institutions’.
• NOTE: If you have an international transcript from high school or college, it must first be evaluated. 

Take the ACCUPLACER Reading Test and score 246 or higher or meet an equivalency*. Non-native speakers need to take the ESL ACCUPLACER Reading Skills Test and score 102 or higher. Practice tests are available. Visit the Testing Center website for hours and locations. Contact (630) 942-2401 or academictesting@cod.edu for questions. A photo ID is required to test. Students are not required to test if they meet any of the criteria listed below:

• College-level credit totaling 12 semester hours with at least a “C” cumulative average (2.0 cumulative GPA).
• College certificate, Associate degree, BA/BS degree, Graduate degree.
• 2.6 cumulative non-weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent, with a minimum of 7 high school semesters. Proof of GPA must be provided.*
• Successful completion ENGLI-1101
• ACT composite score of 20 or higher. Proof of score must be provided.
• SAT total score of 950 or higher. Proof of score must be provided.
• SAT verbal/critical reading score of 500. Proof of score must be provided. (Taken before March 2016)
• TOEFL score of 550 paper/pencil, 213 computer-based or 79 Internet-based. Proof of score must be provided.
• IELTS score of 6.5 or higher. Proof of score must be provided.

* Grade point average or College level credit, certificate, Associate’s degree, BABS degree or Graduate degree must be from a high school in the United States or a country with English as an official language. Special Education and ESL/ELS coursework are not eligible. Students from more than one high school must submit transcripts from all high schools and GPA must be re-calculated.

View specific options below and contact prereq@cod.edu or call (630) 942-2260 if you have any  questions or visit the Proof of Prerequisite page.

Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program. The comprehensive health insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which in most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of health insurance, please see important dates below and visit College of DuPage Student Insurance Plans.

Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program or clinical start. The insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which in most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of Health Insurance, please note the following important dates and visit cod.studentbenefitplans.com.

Important Dates

• Open Enrollment: Typically opens November through mid-January
  If you will need health insurance ANYTIME within the next year, you must apply during the current open enrollment period.

If you miss open enrollment, but have a qualifying life event, you can still apply during a Special Enrollment Period.

While we cannot guarantee your official acceptance into the program, you need to be aware that there is short timeframe of when you are able to purchase a Health Insurance plan. The purpose of this step is to make you aware and that the time to research and purchase is NOW. Purchasing health insurance outside of this timeframe will take months and may prohibit your admittance into the Program. NOTE: Obtaining Health Insurance is NOT an application requirement but it is a requirement to be in the program.

Order Drug Test and Medical Document Manager

Order your drug test and medical document manager through Disa Healthcare/CastleBranch. Go to disahealthcare.com. Choose USER type:

• If New User – click on “Create Account” (You are a New User if you did NOT create a Castle Branch account at COD for another program in the past)
  • Enter an email address and create a password. Click “Next” and follow steps
• If Current User – enter Username & Password then click “Sign In” (You are current user if you previously created an account for a COD program).
  • If you do NOT remember your password, click on “Forgot Password”. If you do NOT remember your Username, call Customer Service: (888) 723-4263
• All Users will be directed to enter/confirm User Profile Information and Security Questions.
• When logged in to DISA Healthcare/CastleBranch from above, select “Place Order” at the top right
  • Enter Package Code: CY64Spring and submit (tip: Copy/Paste from here!)
  • Review your order and check “I have read, understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions of Use” then click Continue
  • Follow the instructions to fill in your information – this creates your account and completes your order.
    • If a CastleBranch Badge is offered, select No. You do not need this.

Drug Test

Drug Tests MUST be complete through CastleBranch within a certain time frame mandated by clinical sites – review dates below. Results are REQUIRED prior to the deadline to receive registration permission. Results can take a minimum of 5 business days to process and be ready for clearance. We cannot predict when results will be received. Extensions are NOT provided for any retakes required for dilute samples.

• DOWNLOAD and PRINT your Registration Form, found in your CastleBranch “To-Do List”:
• Click “Drug Test” then the plus (+) icon
• Click “Download Form”
• PRINT and TAKE Form with you to the drug test appointment, along with a Government Issued ID. Location options are listed at the bottom of the form. 
• TAKE your Drug Test within the appropriate time frame listed below:
  • 16-week & 1st 8-week sessions – Complete AFTER Nov. 1.
  • 2nd 8-week sessions – Complete AFTER Jan. 1.

Important Drug Test Notes

‘Positive’ results for Marijuana will NOT be accepted as marijuana is not federally regulated. This means that if you receive a ‘positive’ result for Marijuana, you will not be able to move forward in the program as the clinical sites require a ‘clear’ drug test. FYI, marijuana can remain in your system for at least 4-8 weeks. Please note that even if you had a prescription for medical marijuana, it will still not be accepted. Please see the Clinical Requirements Packet for more information.

If you receive a “dilute negative” result, this means that your urine was too diluted to obtain an accurate result and you need to re-pay and take a new drug test. Please be cognizant of how much liquid you drink. It is best to try to schedule the test first thing in the morning when the sample will be most concentrated, if possible.

Medical Document Manager

After you place your package order and create your account through CastleBranch, you will have access to your To-Do List:

• Click on the plus icon (+) for each requirement to reveal instructions and submit documentation. Read all directions in each requirement carefully!
• Click Browse to upload a file. When a document is successfully uploaded, the status will change to: In Process.

All Requirements Must Be Complete and Approved to Register

• Sign policy forms
• Health Care Worker Background Check Form – read the instructions!
• Upload Health Insurance Card
• Complete health requirements as listed below
• Uploading Edward Occupational Health Chart Review

Completion time for the health requirements may take anywhere from 1-3 weeks and is individualized for each student. Please start early and plan accordingly. Deadline extensions will NOT be provided. Follow the steps and information in the Clinical Requirement Packet.

Summary of Health Requirements

• Physical Exam with your own healthcare provider or preferred clinic (encouraged for use of health insurance) OR with Edward Corporate Health (see next step for locations)
  • Physical Exam Form (See pg.10 of Clinical Requirement Packet and Essential Functions on CNA page) must be dated as follows:
    • January classes: Feb. 1, 2026 or later
    • March classes: April 1, 2026 or later
• Negative Lab results for QuantiFERON TB Gold Blood Test: dated May 21, 2025 or later
• TDAP vaccine - dated within 10 years, including booster if older than 10 years
• 2026-2027 Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (typically available late August annually)
• Hepatitis B Immune IGg Titer (blood test)* lab results
• Varicella Immune IGg Titer (blood test)* lab results
• MMR – Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella Immune IGg Titer (blood test)* lab results

*NOTE: You must have IGg titers for Hep B, MMR & Varicella completed. Proof of the vaccine series will not be accepted. Negative titers will require starting vaccination or booster series prior to chart review.

After you complete all the health requirements, you need to schedule a Chart Review at Edward Occupational Health (EOH) using one of the locations listed below – see Clinical Requirement Packet for full instructions and costs. Forms completed elsewhere are NOT accepted. Complete all health requirements PRIOR to your appointment and bring ALL documentation with you. We suggest scheduling for the earliest possible date you know you will be ready. Chart reviews must be received by the registration deadline. Exceptions cannot be made for late documentation.

Call (630) 527-7299 and press 2 to schedule an appointment. Please leave your full name and call-back phone # and they will return your call.

1. Addison
2. Bolingbrook
3. Elmhurst
4. Naperville
5. Plainfield

Once the above steps are completed, you will be granted permission to register along with your next steps via e-mail. Registration is first-come; first-serve. No spaces will be saved. No early registration is permitted. No deadline extensions are provided. Seat capacities are final.

Clearance for registration is NOT automatic. You will not be able to register until you receive an email with clear instructions. If you have questions, please contact nursinghealth@cod.edu.

Have questions about How to Register? Explore COD Registration Online

Have questions about Tuition Payments? Explore COD Payment Plans Online

Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation before class begins. Orientations typically take place 2 weeks prior to the class start and will differ depending on the section you register for.

Specific details will be emailed to you AFTER you register. If you have concerns about attending, you must provide advance notice and specific reasoning for approval. If approval is not granted, you will not be able to continue in the program.