Training and Certification Instructions

CANS 2.0 certification is mandated for all casework staff and supervisors (including POS) in the state of Illinois, in order to be valid and reliable users of the instrument. Other professional roles such as IPS, PPT, and Wrap Providers also certify and complete CANS per program expectations.  It is expected that all CANS users will hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree. Below are instructions for initial certification and re-certification on the tool.

For initial certification on the tool:

1. Visit the Illinois DCFS Virtual Training Center and enter your login and password. If you don’t have a login and/or password, contact DCFS training at 877-800-3393 or via email: DCFS.Training@illinois.gov.
2. Once you sign in, locate the ‘Events and Registration’ and search for ‘CANS’
3. Sign up for the ‘CANS ONLINE TRAINING’ training component and complete it within a week of registration.
4. Once you have successfully completed the online training, you will be able to sign up for the ‘CANS EXAM’ component (repeat step 2).
5. DCFS will send you an email with your score and certification status within a few weeks.

For re-certification on the tool:

1. Scoring Refresher Training must be taken prior to recertification exam
2. CANS 2.0 Recertification Exam, call 877-800-3393 to register for the exam

Check our CANS Program page for everything you need to know about completing and submitting the CANS for your program.