SUBSTITUTE INFORMATION
SUBSTITUTE LICENSE
REQUIREMENTS
Must meet one of the following:
Must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
Beginning January 1, 2023, applicants enrolled in an approved Illinois educator preparation program may qualify for the substitute license with at least 90 semester hours of coursework.
*Notes:
Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.
Substitute licenses are valid for 5 years, and may be renewed with the payment of registration fees.
Cannot teach more than 90 consecutive days per licensed teacher in the same school year.
A substitute teacher who holds a Professional Educator License cannot teach more than 120 consecutive days per licensed teacher in the same school year.
IF I HOLD A VALID PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSE, EDUCATOR LICENSE WITH STIPULATIONS OR PARAPROFESSIONAL LICENSE, AM I QUALIFIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER?
If you hold a valid professional educator license, educator license with stipulations or paraprofessional license and hold a bachelor’s degree, you are qualified to be a substitute teacher. You do not need to hold a substitute teaching license.
CAN I OBTAIN A SUBSTITUTE LICENSE IF MY PEL IS LAPSED?
Yes.
SHORT TERM SUBSTITUTE LICENSE
REQUIREMENTS
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 in the same school year unless the state has a declared a disaster proclamation in which the short-term substitute may serve 15 consecutive days per licensed teacher in the same school year.
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.
ROE 20 SUBSTITUTE TEACHING LIST REQUIREMENTS
To be added to the ROE 20 Substitute Teaching List you must have one of the following licenses:
Professional Educator License (PEL)
Educator License with Stipulations - Career and Technical Education (ELS-CTE)
Educator License with Stipulations - Paraprofessional (ELS-PARA)
Substitute License (SUB)
If you have one of the licenses listed above, the next step is to complete the required documents attached below and return them to the ROE 20.
Application for ROE 20 Substitute Teacher List
Physician's Statement of Good Health
Background Screening Form - After the ROE receives the required documentation and can verify an applicant holds a required license, the applicant will be given a background screening form and the applicant will need to schedule an appointment for a background check and fingerprinting.