LICENSURE TYPES

professional educator license (PEL)

PEL TEACHING LICENSE

If you hold a valid, comparable out of state license:

  • A copy of your valid, comparable out of state license

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education

If you do not have a valid, comparable out of state license:​

If completing a program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure their specific requirements/timeframes are met.


*Please Note: To expedite application process, please send all required documentation to ROE #20 at:

            • shenson@roe20.org

            • ssmith@roe20.org


Educator License with stipulations (ELS)

​​Requirements

  • Minimum of 60 semester hours*

  • Documented a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of education in the area to be taught

  • Must apply online and submit ISBE form 73-23

  • Submit Work Experience

    • 73-23A(To be Completed Only By the Employer)

    • 73-23B​(Employment Information by Applicant. Employer/Supervisor No Longer Available)

Years Valid

5

Limitations

  • Can only teach in the specified area of endorsement

  • Valid for grades 5-12

Renewable?

Yes, renewable every 5 years with 120 hours of professional development. For tips on renewing your ELS-CTE license, review this document.​


Paraprofessional License (para)


Requirements

  • At least 19 years of age

  • 1 of the Following:

    • Associate’s degree or higher

    • 60 semester hours of coursework

    • High School Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Parapro

    • High School Diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT Workkeys:

      • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)

      • Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)

Years Valid

5

Limitations​

Must work under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher

Renewable?

May be renewed with payment of registration fees

Notes:

  • ​If you hold a Paraprofessional License and have a Bachelor’s Degree on file, you are qualified to be a substitute teacher.

  • Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.​​


TO APPLY:

  1. Submit an application online in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).

  2. A $100 fee will be assessed electronically when the application is submitted (please have a credit card available).

  3. To expedite the process, send an official* transcript and any other required documentation to ROE #20 at either address:

    • shenson@roe20.org

    • ssmith@roe20.org

*Note: To be official, transcripts must be submitted in the sealed envelope from the college or university or be sent directly by the institution. Transcripts received that are not in a sealed envelope from the university or sent directly from the university will be considered unofficial and cannot be used for evaluation purposes.

Once your license has been issued, please log into your ELIS account and pay the applicable registration fees. The license is not valid for employment until these fees are paid.


substitute license (sub)

  1. Submit an application online in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).

  2. A $50​ fee will be assessed electronically when the application is submitted (please have a credit card available).

  3. To expedite the process, send an official* transcript and any other required documentation to ROE #20 at either address:

    • shenson@roe20.org

    • ssmith@roe20.org

*Note: To be official, transcripts must be submitted in the sealed envelope from the college or university or be sent directly by the institution. Transcripts received that are not in a sealed envelope from the university or sent directly from the university will be considered unofficial and cannot be used for evaluation purposes.

Once your license has been issued, please log into your ELIS account and pay the applicable registration fees. The license is not valid for employment until these fees are paid.


SHORT Term substitute license (sts)

How to EXPAND the Short Term Sub License

REQUIREMENTS

  1. Must hold an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or show completion of 60 semester hours of coursework.

*Notes:

  • Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.

  • Short-Term Substitute licenses are valid until June 30, 2023, and may not be renewed.

  • Cannot teach more than 5 consecutive days per licensed teacher.

  • Must complete a training program provided by the school board.​

  • Can​ serve as a Paraprofessional​.

  • Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

  • How to Become a Substitute Teacher?


SUBSEQUENT TEACHING ENDORSEMENTS

Once you hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) or Educator License with Stipulations endorsed in a teaching field, you can add additional content area endorsements. These endorsements can be added at any grade level even if the underlying teaching endorsement on the PEL is a different grade range. The PEL serves as a foundation to which any teaching endorsement can be added after applicable coursework and testing are completed.

Illinois offers full reciprocity for all endorsements listed on a valid, comparable out-of-state license. To add subsequent endorsements to your Professional Educator License (PEL) via reciprocity, please apply for the endorsement in your ELIS account and provide a copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license. ​​Early Childhood Education Birth-Grade 2

  • All grades for the endorsement coursework must be "C-" or higher, and coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

  • All test scores are valid indefinitely.