Agencies
Services
Examination Schedule
Walk-in services are currently unavailable at all CMS Assessment Center locations. Please contact the center for an appointment.
Upward Mobility Program testing continues as a call-in scheduling service. All Upward Mobility Program testers must be in possession of a Proficiency Examination Registration form (PER) prior to scheduling an exam. A PER must be presented to the Assessment Center at the time of scheduling in order to reserve a time slot. No walk-in scheduling or services are available.
Valid ID is required to take an exam. A Photo ID is preferred.
Testing is offered on easy to use touch screen computers. Applicants are allowed at least 90 minutes to answer the questions on automated tests. On tests with a larger number of questions or more complex questions (Human Resources Assistant & Associate; Data Processing Specialist & Administrative Specialist; Disability Claims Adjudicator Trainee; Insurance Analyst II; Revenue Tax Specialist Trainee; Social Services Career Trainee; Telecommunicator Trainee), more time is allowed to complete the exam.
Public use copiers are not available at the Assessment Centers. Therefore, it is important that applicants bring with them copies of their application for each title and test option for which they want to test.
Note: Our Career Services and Assessment Centers will be closed in observance of all State holidays when State offices are closed.
Regular office Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. See below for specific testing check-in times at each test site.
Chicago Office:
555 W Monroe
4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 814-2398 (voice)
Illinois Relay Center (800) 526-0844
Check in time for tests - clerical and non-clerical is anytime between 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Exception for Data Processing Administrative Specialist, Data Processing Specialist, Disability Claims Adjudicator Trainee, HR Asst., HR Assoc., Insurance Analyst II, Revenue Tax Spec. Tr., Social Services Career Trainee, Telecommunicator Trainee and Dictation exams; for these titles you must arrive and be ready to test before 12:30 p.m.)
***NOTE: A government-issued photo ID is required in order to enter the building.
Springfield Office:
Capital City Center
130 W. Mason Street, Second Floor
Springfield, IL 62702
(217) 524-1321 (voice)
Illinois Relay Center (800) 526-0844
Check in time for tests - clerical and non-clerical is anytime between 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Exception for Data Processing Administrative Specialist, Data Processing Specialist, Disability Claims Adjudicator Trainee, HR Asst., HR Assoc., Insurance Analyst II, Social Services Career Trainee, Telecommunicator Trainee and Dictation exams; for these titles you must arrive and be ready to test before 1:30 p.m. To test for the Revenue Tax Specialist Trainee title you must arrive and be ready to test before 12:30 p.m.)
TESTING BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Illinois Relay Center number for Speech/Hearing Impaired persons for these locations is (800) 526-0844
- Champaign Office:
State Regional Office Building
2125 South First Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Telephone (217) 278-3435 - Marion Office:
State Regional Office Building
2309 West Main Street, Suite 126
Marion, IL 62959
Telephone (618) 993-7005 - Rockford Office:
E. J. "Zeke" Giorgi Center
200 South Wyman, Rockford, IL 61101
Telephone (815) 987-7004
** NOTE: PER THE PERSONNEL RULES AN APPLICANT SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED TO RETAKE A MULTIPLE-CHOICE AND/OR PERFORMANCE EXAMINATION UNTIL 30 DAYS HAS ELAPSED.
ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES, INCLUDING CELL PHONES, MUST BE TURNED OFF PRIOR TO ENTERING THE TEST ROOM. VIOLATORS WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION AND/OR REMOVAL FROM THE TEST ROOM.
Examinations may be canceled or limited to certain localities without notice as hiring needs are met.
Unattended Children - To promote safety and security and to assure that testing standards are met, children may not accompany parents or caretakers in the test room during testing. Please review the details of our Unattended Children Policy.
Applicants interested in applying for the Juvenile Justice Specialist Intern title should access the following the Department of Juvenile Justice website for application information: https://idjj.illinois.gov/careers.html.
Applicants interested in applying for the Correctional Officer Trainee title should access the Department of Corrections website https://idoc.illinois.gov/aboutus/trainingacademy.html for application information.
Applications for the Mental Health Technician Trainee title must be submitted to the Department of Human Services, Technician Selection Program, 100 South Grand Avenue East (Lower Level), Springfield, IL 62762, 217/524-1548. People who are hearing impaired can contact the Illinois Relay Center at 1-800-526-0844. Do not send applications for these titles to the CMS Division of Examining & Counseling.
Career services staff at each CMS assessment center can review your completed application and, based on your education, work experience and career objectives, can recommend job titles and explain job requirements. A limited number of onsite counseling sessions at the centers are available by appointment only and fill up quickly. Thus, applicants are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the “Career Counseling by Mail” service. Simply complete a CMS-100 application, indicate you want counseling by mail along with your geographic employment preferences and salary requirements, and mail your application and request to either the Chicago or Springfield assessment center. Or, use our “Career Counseling by Email” service by sending your request and a scanned copy of your completed CMS-100 to CMS.CounselingByEmail@Illinois.gov. A career counselor will review your application and respond with potential job title matches based on your education, experience and employment preferences. For more information, contact one of the CMS Assessment Centers.
Proof of Military Service
Proof of military service, if claimed for additional points added to a passing grade, must be submitted at the time of examination. Applicants submitting proof of military service after the examination will be awarded veterans preference upon verification of the documentation. For information regarding Veteran Preference call Central Management Services Veteran Outreach at (800) 643-8138 (voice), (800) 526-0844 Illinois Relay Center.
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance to participate in the testing process, please contact Disability Services at Springfield (217) 785-1985 voice or Illinois Relay Center at (800) 526-0844 before the date of the test.