Illinois Licensure for Educators
ROE #21 stays current with changing regulations, laws, and policies in educator licensure and acts as a liaison between the Regional Office of Education and the State Educator Licensure Board (ISBE) for applicants, school districts, and other interested parties.
If you need to create an ELIS account, click here. For all login and password recovery assistance, please call one of our ROE offices or the "Help Desk" at the Illinois State Board of Education at 217-557-6763.
Become a Licensed Educator!
Looking to become a licensed teacher? The Golden Apple Accelerator's Program is a 15-month pathway for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree. Accelerators take virtual courses at one of four partner colleges/universities. They also complete a residency in a school within their community. The residency lasts an entire school year and takes place during the 15 months. After completing the program, Accelerators will have earned their Professional Educators License and be ready to enter the classroom for the 25/26 school year!
To support Accelerators, The Golden Apple Foundation pays the tuition and fees for the virtual coursework, provides the Accelerator a $10,000 stipend for any additional education expenses, and provides mentoring for three years! After obtaining their license, Accelerators agree to teach for four years in a partner district. Apply by January 10, 2024, to be considered for the Golden Apple Accelerators Program.
Educator Licensure Information
The Illinois State Board of Education has created videos with instructions for the Educator License Information System (ELIS).
How to...Create an ELIS Account
How to...Navigate your ELIS account
How to...Apply for a PEL
How to...Register your License in ELIS
How to...Apply for Reinstatement
How to...Apply for an Entitlement and Register a PEL
How to...Apply for Dual Credit Endorsement
How to...Become Licensed
Administrative Endorsement
Illinois offers multiple pathways to licensure. In order to obtain an Administrative Endorsement, the options are listed below:
Option 1: Reciprocity
Did you complete an approved out-of-state educator preparation program and become licensed in that state? If so, you can qualify for the Illinois PEL by submitting the following documents:
- A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license
- A master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
Option 2: ISBE 80-02
Did you complete an approved out-of-state educator preparation program but did not become licensed in that state? If so, you must meet the following requirements to obtain the IL PEL:
- A master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- Completion of a preparation program in the field of specialization (e.g. superintendent) (80-02: State-Approved Program and Completion of Standards Verification must be submitted to ISBE)
- Internship or equivalent experience
- Completion of coursework* addressing methods of teaching exceptional children, reading methods, content area reading, and methods of teaching English language learners (80-02: State-Approved Program and Completion of Standards Verification
- Licensure Tests: All test scores are valid indefinitely. View the options below to see the required tests for each area. Register for the tests.
If out-of-state test scores were completed, copies of the test scores must be submitted per the ISBE 80-02 form.
Option 3: Illinois Educator Preparation Program
If you are completing an educator preparation program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure their specific requirements are met.
Administrator License Renewal
Active Administrators are required to complete one administrator academy each fiscal year, in addition to 20 Professional Development Credit Hours. ROE #21 offers a full complement of Administrators’ Academies throughout the year. View the current offerings of Administrators’ Academy Workshops. We pride ourselves in ensuring that our Academies are relevant and that participants walk away with strategies they can implement immediately.
Professional Educator License (PEL)
Illinois offers multiple pathways to licensure. Please see the options below.
Option 1: Reciprocity
Did you complete an approved out-of-state educator preparation program and become licensed in that state? You can qualify for the Illinois PEL by submitting the following documents:
- A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license
- A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
Option 2: ISBE 80-02
Did you complete an approved out-of-state educator preparation program but did not become licensed in that state? You must meet the following requirements to obtain the Illinois PEL:
- A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- Proof of completion of a State Approved Program (80-02: State Approved Program and Completion of Standards Verification)
- Student teaching or equivalent experience
- Completion of coursework* addressing methods of teaching exceptional children, reading methods, content area reading, and methods of teaching English learners (80-02: State Approved Program and Completion of Standards Verification)
- Licensure Tests: All test scores are valid indefinitely. View the options below to see the required tests for each area. Register for the tests.
If out-of-state test scores were completed, copies of the test scores must be submitted per the ISBE 80-02 form.
Option 3: Illinois Educator Preparation Program
If you are completing an educator preparation program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure their specific requirements are met.
Career and Technical Education programs provide instruction for occupations in:
- Agricultural Education
- Business, Marketing and Computer Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Health Science Technology
- Technology and Engineering Education (Industrial)
Illinois offers two different Educator Licenses with Stipulations (ELS) endorsed in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- Career and Technical Educator License (ELS-CTE)
- Provisional Career and Technical Educator License (ELS/CTEP)
Career and Technical Educator License (ELS-CTE)
Requirements
- Minimum of 60 semester hours*
- Documented a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience in the area to be taught. Work experience in an educational setting may be used if the applicant was delivering the instruction and was not the recipient of the instruction.
- Must apply online and submit ISBE form 73-23
- Submit Work Experience
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.
Provisional Career and Technical Educator License ELS/CTEP
Requirements
- Documented a minimum of 8,000 hours of experience in the area to be taught. Work experience in an educational setting may be used if the applicant was delivering the instruction and was not the recipient of the instruction
- Must apply online and submit ISBE form 73-23
- Submit Work Experience
Years Valid
5
Limitations
At the time of application, the applicant must obtain a letter from the school district confirming that no teacher holding a PEL or ELS endorsed in career and technical education is available and that circumstances warrant the issuance of this license. Valid for grades 5-12 only.
Renewable?
Yes, renewable every 5 years. For tips on renewing your ELS-CTEP license, review this document.
All required paperwork MUST be uploaded by the ROE before you apply for a CTE license.
Prior to applying for a license, please ensure that you have submitted all required paperwork to one of our ROE #21 offices.
Checklist to use when applying for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) as an out of state (OOS) or out of country (OOC) license holder. PEL LICENSE | OUT-OF-STATE UNIVERSITIES
Retired Educators
Educators who maintain an Illinois educator license in retired status are exempt from professional development and registration fees. To update your professional development status to retired, please refer to: How to Update Your PD/Employment Status.
To place a license in retired status, educators must complete two steps on or before August 31 of last year of the five-year renewal cycle in which they retire.
- Educators must change their professional development (PD)/employment status in ELIS to retired, beginning with the first full semester following retirement.
- Educators must complete and record the amount of professional development required for the number of semesters worked during the renewal cycle in which they retire.
Failure to complete either of the steps above will result in a lapsed license on September 1 following the end of the five-year cycle in which the educator retired. If your license results in lapsed status, you must reinstate your license.
Current Reinstatement Requirements
- Complete and record all outstanding professional development,
- Pay all applicable back registration fees, and
- One of the following:
- 9 semester hours of college coursework, or
- Payment of a $50 reinstatement fee.
Licensure Renewal for Educators
Click Here for Frequently Asked License Renewal Questions.
Beginning with the 2015–2020 renewal cycle, and every cycle thereafter, teachers and school support services personnel must complete 120 hours of professional development to renew regardless of the number or types of degrees held. Acceptable Professional Development: Coursework from a regionally accredited Illinois College or University, National Board Certification, National Licenses (For School Support Personnel) and activities provided by an Approved Illinois Professional Development Provider. Licensee Professional Development Requirements
How to videos...
How to Video - Updating your Professional Development or Employment Status in ELIS
How to Video - Educator License Renewal in ELIS
How to Video - Adding Professional Development into your ELIS account
View Renewal and Professional Development for Educators tips on ISBE's website.
Renewal & Professional Development for Educators
If you hold one of the following licenses, you must renew it every five years. All endorsements are renewed with the license.
Please see chart below:
| License Type | Required PD Hours | Registration Fees (Five Year Cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Educator License (PEL) (Teacher or School Support Personnel) | 120 hours | $50.00/5-year cycle |
| Professional Educator License (PEL) (Administration) | 100 hours AND 1 Administrator Academy (AA) per fiscal year
(If employed as Administrator for 50% or more FTE). |
$50.00/5-year cycle |
| Educator License w/Stipulations
(Chief School Business Official) |
100 hours AND 1 Administrator Academy (AA) per fiscal year
(If employed as Administrator for 50% or more FTE). |
$50.00/5-year cycle |
| Educator License w/Stipulations
(CTE) |
120 hours | $50.00/5-year cycle |
| Educator License w/Stipulations
(Provisional CTE) |
No required professional development | $50.00/5-year cycle |
| Educator License w/Stipulations
(Part-Time CTE) |
No required professional development | $50.00/5-year cycle |
| Substitute Teaching License | No required professional development | $50.00/5-year cycle |
| Paraprofessional License | No required professional development | $30.00/5-year cycle |
| Short-Term Substitute License | No required professional development | $25.00/5-year cycle/expires 2028 |
Updates for 2022
Teacher Updates!
There has been a 20% reduction in the Professional Development requirement for both administrators and educators for School Year 2021-2022. You should notice an update on the Professional Development Section of your ELIS account (see example below).
| Name | Description | Provider | Hours | Begin Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Development Reduction | Per PA 102-0852 effective May 13, 2022, active educators are eligible for a professional development reduction in FY 2022. | ISBE | 20.00 | 03/31/2022 | 03/31/2022 |
Administrator Updates!
The Administrator Academy requirement was waived for School Year 2021-2022. There has also been a 20% reduction in the PD requirement for both administrators and educators for FY22. You should notice an update on the Professional Development Section of your ELIS account (see example below).
| Name | Description | Provider | Hours | Begin Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Development Reduction | Per PA 102-0852 effective May 13, 2022, active educators are eligible for a professional development reduction in FY 2022. | ISBE | 20.00 | 03/31/2022 | 03/31/2022 |
| AAC | 3928 - Administrator Academy Waiver for FY22 per Public Act 102-0730 | IAAMS | 0.00 | 05/20/2022 | 05/20/2022 |
If you completed an Administrator Academy in FY22, the AA credit will automatically be converted to Professional Development Hours.
