Career Options, Inc.
2644 E Dempster St., Ste. 116, Park Ridge, IL 60068 · (847) 297-3900
Data: Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor) approved list (April 2026); SIU Carbondale INACE 2025 annual cluster scores
- First-time pass rate
- 80.91%241 testers · 2025
- Vs state average
- −12.3points vs 93.24%
- Illinois rank
- #211of 234 programs
- Since 2024
- +3.9points vs 77% (287 testers)
- Chicago area rank
- #107of 117 ranked nearby
How Career Options, Inc. graduates do on the CNA exam
80.91% of 241 first-time test-takers from Career Options, Inc. passed the written CNA exam in 2025. That is 12.3 points below the Illinois average of 93.24% (all 301 listed programs with results, weighted by testers). It puts the program #211 of 234 Illinois programs with 10 or more testers, and #107 of 117 ranked programs in the Chicago area.
In 2024, 77% of 287 first-time testers passed, so the rate rose 3.9 points year over year.
With 241 testers, one more or one fewer passing student moves the rate by about 0.4 points. Illinois reports the written (knowledge) exam only; the skills test isn't included in this figure.
See the best CNA programs in Chicago by pass rate · All 234 ranked Illinois programs
How Career Options, Inc. stacks up
- Half of the 234 ranked Illinois programs had a first-time pass rate of at least 96.5% in 2025. At 80.91%, Career Options, Inc. is in the bottom quarter.
- 175 of the 234 reached 90% or higher.
- It had 241 first-time testers; the middle ranked program had 36, so this is one of the larger programs. Larger groups give a steadier rate.
- 79 other ranked programs are within 25 miles; 73 had a higher first-time pass rate in 2025; the highest was William Rainey Harper Coll. - Conant H.S. in Palatine (100.0%, about 13 mi away).
Ranked programs are those with 10 or more first-time testers in the SIU Carbondale INACE 2025 annual cluster scores. Distances are straight-line between ZIP code centres.
Program details
| Approval | Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor), program 0725 |
| Status | Approved (list dated April 2026) |
| Level | CNA I |
| Format | In person |
| Address | 2644 E Dempster St., Ste. 116, Park Ridge, IL 60068 Cook County |
| Phone | (847) 297-3900 |
| CNA median pay, Chicago area | $46,940 a year ($22.57/hour, BLS) |
Call the program to confirm the next start date, schedule and total cost; the state lists don't publish prices.
Other approved CNA programs near Park Ridge
| Program | City | Distance | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tukiendorf Training Institute | Chicago | 3 mi | — |
| Tukiendorf Training Institute, Inc. | Chicago | 3 mi | — |
| Tukiendorf Training Institute-Hybrid | Chicago | 3 mi | 90.3% |
| Tukiendorf Training Institute-Roosevelt | Chicago | 3 mi | 98.2% |
| Mizpah Center for Allied Health Education-Hybrid | Des Plaines | 4 mi | 89.5% |
| Central Scholar Academy | Des Plaines | 4 mi | — |
Distances are straight-line between ZIP code centres. "—" means fewer than 10 testers or no published rate.
FAQ
What is Career Options, Inc.'s CNA exam pass rate?
80.91% of 241 first-time test-takers from Career Options, Inc. passed the written CNA exam in 2025. That is 12.3 points below the Illinois average of 93.24% (all 301 listed programs with results, weighted by testers), and #211 of 234 Illinois programs with 10 or more testers.
Is Career Options, Inc. a state-approved CNA program?
Yes. It is on the official list of approved nurse aide training programs (Illinois Nurse Aide Testing (SIU Carbondale, the state's exam vendor), April 2026) as program 0725. Finishing an approved program makes you eligible for the Illinois CNA exam.
Is Career Options, Inc.'s pass rate going up or down?
Up: 80.91% of 241 first-time testers passed in 2025, against 77% of 287 in 2024 (+3.9 points).
How many hours of training does Illinois require?
120 hours: 62 theory, 18 skills lab, 40 clinical, with at least 12 hours on Alzheimer's and dementia care (77 Ill. Adm. Code 395.150). The exam is run by Southern Illinois University Carbondale (INACE).
How does Career Options, Inc. compare with CNA programs nearby?
79 other ranked programs are within 25 miles; 73 had a higher first-time pass rate in 2025; the highest was William Rainey Harper Coll. - Conant H.S. in Palatine (100.0%, about 13 mi away).
What other approved CNA programs are near Park Ridge?
The closest are Tukiendorf Training Institute in Chicago (about 3 mi), Tukiendorf Training Institute, Inc. in Chicago (about 3 mi), Tukiendorf Training Institute-Hybrid in Chicago (about 3 mi, 90% pass rate). Distances are between ZIP code centres.