Admission, Certification, and Exams for Credit

ECC offers admission, certification, and exams for credit. These tests are given by appointment only, and additional fees may apply.

American College Testing (ACT)

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The American College Testing (ACT) test is administered at ECC multiple times yearly. Visit The ACT Test Website for test dates and registration information.

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)

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ASE student certification is the first step in building a career as a service professional in the automotive industry through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. The exam marks the completion of career-entry studies in automotive technology, collision repair and refinishing, or medium/heavy-duty trucks. ECC tests students once a year. Visit the Automotive Service Excellence website for more information.

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

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The Certified Nurse Assistant exam is for those that have completed a Basic Nurse Assistant (BNA) training program that you can complete in one semester.

Although ECC is an approved testing site, you must register and pay for the exam through SIU's Nurse Aide Testing site if you have questions, email inat@siu.edu.

All nursing assistants must be listed on the Illinois Department of Public Health's Health Care Worker Registry. Nursing assistant students are placed on the registry after meeting the required training and competency testing or equivalency criteria and undergoing a criminal background check. After students take the CNA certification exam, the state will add the exam results (pass/fail) to the registry. For details on this requirement, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health.

CLEP Testing

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Elgin Community College is a national test site offering CLEP exams to students and the community. Anyone who registers and pays the testing fees is eligible to sit for a CLEP Exam. With a passing score, academic credit may be awarded at participating colleges and universities. For ECC students, please view the CLEP Scores & Equivalency Chart. Exams are administered by appointment in the Testing Center in Building B. Registration is a two-part process completed online. Learn More about Registration for the Exam

CompTIA

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Elgin Community College is a test site for CompTIA certifications as a starting point for a career in IT. You can schedule exams through PearsonVue or this CompTIA Certification Testing.

General Education Development (GED) Tests

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Elgin Community College is partnered with PearsonVUE to provide a secure and convenient place to take your GED® exams online. For more information about the GED and to choose which location you would like to test, create your profile and register at the GED Testing Service website.

HVACR Test

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Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration certification testing, including EPA 608 and residential exams, is available to students in ECC's HVACR courses. A fee is required for the EPA 608 exam. For details, contact George Rosa at 847-214-7871 or go to Building O, Room O153.

IAODAPCA Test

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Addictions counselor certifications are offered at Elgin Community College through the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). ICB is a private, non-profit organization that promotes standards for professionals in the addiction field. ICB offers several certifications through the Testing Center, including:

• CADC - Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
• CAAP - Associate Addictions Professional
• CRSS - Recovery Support Specialist
• CFPP - Family Partnership Professional

For more information on how to apply to test for these exams, visit the Illinois Certification Board.

IB Diploma Programme (DP) Test

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The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme subject tests may be used to fulfill ECC course requirements in various areas. Download a guide to assessment to learn more about your IB diploma and college admission.

Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam

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The Certified Nurse Assistant exam is for those that have completed a Basic Nurse Assistant (BNA) training program. ECC's NUR 105: Basic Nurse Training Program is a 7-credit hour course you can complete in one semester. Students who successfully complete this course can sit for the CNA test. There are several BNA programs in our area and across the state.

CNA test sessions are open for any eligible state of Illinois candidate, so they are not just for ECC students.

Testers register for testing through Nurse Aide Test Competency Exam. you can find a list of FAQs for testers on the Southern Illinois University Website. Students can also reach out to inat@siu.edu for help.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification

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Students in ECC's Digital Technology courses (CIS 241, CIS 242, CIS 243, and CIS 244) may apply for specific certifications. The first exam is free for each course. Contact your instructor for certification details. Students should create a Certiport account before coming to the test testing center on the exam date.

NASOE Licensure

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The National Association of Stationary Operating Engineers licensure test is paper-based. It is administered to students that have completed the appropriate HVAC course. Students will work with their instructor to schedule this exam.

State Seal of Biliteracy

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You may use a State Seal of Biliteracy designated on a high school transcript to earn proficiency credit in a language other than English. The State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes the completion of two years of high school language coursework. The courses for which a student can receive college credit based on the Seal of Biliteracy are denoted with a proficiency code in the catalog.

• Biliteracy course listings
• Illinois seal biliteracy FAQ.

Tests that Help You Earn College Credit

Credit by Proficiency offers an opportunity to gain credit for knowledge you have acquired in an occupation or educational environment outside of college or through other life experiences related to specific Elgin Community College courses.

Through this process, students who demonstrate the knowledge needed to complete an ECC course can gain college credit without taking the course. Proficiency exams are available in the Testing Center for the courses listed below and can be taken to gain credit. Students seeking proficiency credit in an eligible course not listed below should contact the course faculty directly for testing information.

Students seeking proficiency credit for a course must:

1. Meet with their academic advisor or faculty.
2. Complete the Proficiency Request Form and gain approval from the advisor or faculty
3. Submit payment to Student Accounts
4. Schedule an appointment with Testing Services

QuickBooks Exam

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Students completing ECC's ACC 210 QuickBooks Online course can sit for the QuickBooks Certified User exam. Students interested should contact their instructor to obtain a testing voucher. Students should create a Certiport account before coming to the test testing center on the exam date and must bring their voucher to the test.

WorkKeys Assessment

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ECC offers the ACT® WorkKeys® suite of tests, which can be used to gain Paraprofessional Licensure in the State of Illinois or a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Please read the Illinois State Board of Education requirements for a Paraprofessional. For more information on WorkKeys and the NCRC, please visit Workkeys.org.

ECC offers an online study program for the WorkKeys® exams called WorkKeys Curriculum to prepare for your exam. Sign-up for the WorkKeys Curriculum study program. WorkKeys exams are administered by appointment only. The exam fee is $25, due at the time of registration.