Legislation/School Rules/School Code:
Click here to view the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) web page containing information on Legislation, School Rules and School Code. Thank you for your patience as we continually transition to updated requirements.
Educators must register their licenses in the county in which they teach. Individuals are highly encouraged to create a username and a password on the Educator Licensure Information System in order to monitor their credentials.
Illinois has transitioned all certificates to three types of licensure.
- 1. Professional Educator License (PEL)
- 2. Educator License with Stipulations (ELS)
- 3. Substitute License
More information regarding Licensure and Renewal:
Licensure Resources
- ELIS Login
- Letter to Educator Regarding 2024 Renewals [PDF]
- ISBE Licensure Renewal 2024 FAQ
- License Renewal Instructions (PEL, ELS-CSBO, CTE) [PDF]
- Licensure Renewal Requirements [PDF]
- Professional Development Entry and Renewal Instructions [PDF]
- Register_in_Additional_Regions.pdf
- Illinois Licensure and Testing Verification [PDF]
- How To Create an ELIS Account [PDF]
Contact for More Information
Illinois State Board of Education Disclaimer
IT IS SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LICENSE HOLDER TO RENEW AND REGISTER HIS OR HER LICENSE IN A TIMELY MANNER TO PREVENT IT FROM LAPSING. THE LIABILITY TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT EMPLOYS AN EDUCATOR WHO DOES NOT HOLD A VALID AND REGISTERED EDUCATOR LICENSE IS SIGNIFICANT. THE STATE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING REMINDERS, THOUGH COURTESY EMAIL MESSAGES ARE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THE LICENSEE HAS ON FILE IN ELIS.
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Paraprofessional (ELS-PARA or PARA)
A Paraprofessional assists teachers within school districts. Under the supervision of a licensed teacher, a Paraprofessional supports teachers and students in many ways. For instance, a paraprofessional can tutor students or assist the teacher with managing the classroom and organizing instructional materials.
Requirements:
Age:
At least 19 yrs of age to qualify for Pre-K- 12th grade.
At least 18 yrs of age to qualify for Pre-K-8th grade. (Must be at least 19 yrs to qualify for the short-term PARA approval)
Meet one (1) of the following requirements:
- Associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
- 60 semester hours of non-remedial coursework from a regionally accredited institution
- High School Diploma or equivalency and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS ParaPro test
- High School Diploma or equivalency and the following scores on the ACT WorkKeys tests: Applied Mathematics/Applied Math - 4 Reading for Information or Workplace Documents - 4
*Paraprofessional $100 application fee, $30 registration fee. All fees processed and charged by ISBE.
ISBE offers a Short-term PARA approval option. It is valid for 3 years and is non-renewable.
Requirements:
- 19 yrs. of age
- High School diploma or equivalent
*Short-term PARA $50 application fee, no registration fee. All fees processed and charged by ISBE.
**Not all school districts accept the Short-term PARA approval for employment.
How to apply for the Short-term Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional testing options:
- ACT WorkKeys - Information for ACT WorkKeys testing offered by Joliet Junior College.
- Educational Testing Service ETS
How to Apply for the Paraprofessional License
- Create an ELIS account How to create an ELIS account
- Apply for the Paraprofessional License How to apply for the Paraprofessional license
- Submit required documentation via email to the ROE Licensure Department at druiz@willroe.org
Submit Required Documentation:
Official college/university transcripts may be submitted by:
- Email
- Electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the registrar to the ROE. Please address and email transcripts to the ROE Licensure Department at druiz@willroe.org
- Postal mail
- Official transcripts must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, as issued by the college Registrar. ROE Licensure Department 116 N Chicago St. Joliet, Ill. 60432
*The ROE does not have access to any documents submitted to ISBE.
Please submit copies of test results and HS Diploma/HS Equivalency to the ROE Licensure Department at druiz@willroe.org
*ISBE or the ROE does not accept transcripts opened or forwarded.
My license was issued! What's next?
Log into your ELIS account and register in Will County and/or any county within Illinois that you will be serving.
Begin applying at Will county school districts. A background check/fingerprint appointment will be required by the school district during the hiring process. Please contact the employing school district for further instructions.
Do I receive an official certificate?
Licensure verifications can be printed from the credential page of your ELIS account. ISBE no longer issues certificates.
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Paraprofessional (ELS-PARA or PARA)
Un Paraprofesional asiste a los maestros dentro de los distritos escolares. Bajo la supervisión de un maestro con licencia, un Paraprofesional apoya a los maestros y a los estudiantes de diversas maneras. Por ejemplo, un Paraprofesional puede tutorizar a los estudiantes o ayudar al maestro a gestionar el aula y organizar los materiales didácticos.
Requisitos:
Edad:
- Al menos 19 años de edad para calificar para Pre-Kínder a 12º grado
- Al menos 18 años de edad para calificar para Pre-Kínder a 8º grado. (Debe tener al menos 19 años para calificar para la aprobación de paraprofesional a corto plazo)
Cumplir con uno (1) de los siguientes requisitos:
- Título de asociado o superior de una institución acreditada regionalmente60 horas semestrales de cursos no remediales de una institución acreditada regionalmente
- Diploma de escuela secundaria o equivalencia y una puntuación de 460 o superior en el examen ETS ParaPro
- Diploma de escuela secundaria o equivalencia y las siguientes puntuaciones en los exámenes ACT WorkKeys:
- Matemáticas Aplicadas - 4
- Lectura para Información o Documentos Laborales - 4
*Tarifa de solicitud de paraprofesional de $100, tarifa de registro de $30. Todas las tarifas procesadas y cobradas por ISBE.
ISBE ofrece una opción de aprobación temporal de paraprofesional (Short-term PARA). Es válida por 3 años y no renovable.
Requisitos:
- 19 años de edad
- Diploma de escuela secundaria o equivalente
*Tarifa de solicitud para aprobación temporal de paraprofesional de $50, sin tarifa de registro. Todas las tarifas procesadas y cobradas por ISBE.
**No todos los distritos escolares aceptan la aprobación temporal de paraprofesional para el empleo.
How to apply for the Short-term Paraprofessional
Opciones de exámenes para paraprofesionales:
- ACT WorkKeys - Información sobre el examen ACT WorkKeys ofrecido por Joliet Junior College.
- Educational Testing Service ETS
How to Apply for the Paraprofessional License
- Crea una cuenta ELIS How to create an ELIS account
- Solicita la licencia de Paraprofesional How to apply for the Paraprofessional license
- Envía la documentación requerida por correo electrónico al ROE Licensure Department druiz@willroe.org
Envía la Documentación Requerida
Los expedientes académicos oficiales de la universidad/institución pueden ser enviados por:
- Correo electrónico
- Los expedientes electrónicos deben ser enviados directamente por la oficina del registrador al ROE. Por favor, dirige y envía los expedientes al ROE Licensure Department druiz@willroe.org
- Correo postal
- Los expedientes oficiales deben estar en un sobre sellado, tal como los emite el universidad. ROE Licensure Department 116 N Chicago St. Joliet, Ill. 60432
- Los expedientes oficiales deben estar en un sobre sellado, tal como los emite el universidad. ROE Licensure Department 116 N Chicago St. Joliet, Ill. 60432
*El ROE no tiene acceso a ningún documento enviado a ISBE.
Por favor, envía copias de los resultados de los exámenes y del diploma de escuela secundaria/equivalencia al Departamento de Licencias del ROE a druiz@willroe.org
*ISBE o ROE no aceptan transcripciones abiertas o reenviadas.
¡Se emitió mi licencia! ¿Qué sigue?
Inicia sesión en tu cuenta de ELIS y regístrate en el condado de Will y/o en cualquier condado de Illinois en el que vayas a trabajar.
Comienza a aplicar en los distritos escolares del condado de Will. El distrito escolar requerirá una verificación de antecedentes/cita para huellas dactilares durante el proceso de contratación. Por favor, contacta al distrito escolar empleador para más instrucciones.
¿Recibiré un certificado oficial?
Las verificaciones de licencias pueden imprimirse desde la página de credenciales de tu cuenta ELIS. ISBE ya no emite certificados.
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Substitute License
Requirements:
Meet one (1) of the following requirements:
- Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
- Currently enrolled in an Illinois approved educator preparation program with 90 semester hours of coursework completed
How to apply for the Substitute license
*Substitute $50 application fee, $50 registration fee. All fees processed and charged by ISBE.
ISBE offers a Short-term SUB approval option. It is valid for 5 years and is non-renewable.
Short-term SUB approval
Requires one of the following:
- Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
- Completion of 60 semester hours of non-remedial coursework from a regionally accredited institution
*Short-term SUB $25 application fee, plus registration fee. All fees processed and charged by ISBE.
How to apply for the Short-term Substitute licensure
- How to create an ELIS account
- Apply for the Short-term SUB or Substitute License
- Submit required documentation via email to the ROE Licensure Department at druiz@willroe.org
Submit Required Documentation
Official college/university transcripts may be submitted by:
- Email
- Electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the registrar to the ROE. Please address and email transcripts to the ROE Licensure Department at druiz@willroe.org
- Postal mail
- Official transcripts must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, as issued by the college Registrar. ROE Licensure Department 116 N Chicago St. Joliet, Ill. 60432
*The ROE does not have access to any documents submitted to ISBE.
My license was issued! What's next?
Log into your ELIS account and register in Will County and/or any county within Illinois that you will be serving.
*ISBE or the ROE does not accept transcripts opened or forwarded.
My license is registered! What's next?
Begin applying at Will county school districts. A background check/fingerprint appointment will be required by the school district during the hiring process. Please contact the employing school district for further instructions.
Do I receive an official certificate?
Licensure verifications can be printed from the credential page of your ELIS account. ISBE no longer issues certificates.
*Licensed Substitute Teachers are qualified to work as Paraprofessionals.
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Substitute License
Cumplir con uno (1) de los siguientes requisitos:
- Título de licenciatura o superior de una institución acreditada regionalmente
- Estar inscrito actualmente en un programa de preparación de educadores aprobado en Illinois con 90 horas semestrales de cursos completados
How to apply for the Substitute license
*Tarifa de solicitud de sustituto de $50, tarifa de registro de $50. Todas las tarifas procesadas y cobradas por ISBE.
ISBE ofrece una opción de aprobación temporal de sustituto (Short-term SUB). Es válida por 5 años y no renovable.
Aprobación temporal de sustituto
Requiere uno de los siguientes:
- Título de asociado o superior de una institución acreditada regionalmente
- Completación de 60 horas semestrales de cursos no remediales de una institución acreditada regionalmente
*Tarifa de solicitud para sustituto temporal de $25, más tarifa de registro. Todas las tarifas procesadas y cobradas por ISBE.
How to apply for the Short-term Substitute license
- Crea una cuenta ELIS
- Solicita la licencia temporal de sustituto o la licencia de sustituto
- Envía la documentación requerida por correo electrónico a el ROE Licensure Department at druiz@willroe.org
Envía la Documentación Requerida
Los expedientes académicos oficiales de la universidad/institución pueden ser enviados por:
- Correo electrónico
- Los expedientes electrónicos deben ser enviados directamente por la oficina del registrador al ROE. Por favor, dirige y envía los expedientes al ROE Licensure Department at druiz@willroe.org
- Correo postal
- Los expedientes oficiales deben estar en un sobre sellado, tal como los emite el registrador de la universidad. ROE Licensure Department 116 N Chicago St. Joliet, Ill. 60432
*El ROE no tiene acceso a ningún documento enviado a ISBE.
¡Se emitió mi licencia! ¿Qué sigue? *
Inicia sesión en tu cuenta de ELIS y regístrate en el condado de Will y/o en cualquier condado de Illinois en el que vayas a trabajar.
*ISBE o ROE no aceptan transcripciones abiertas o reenviadas.
¡Mi licencia está registrada! ¿Qué sigue?
Comienza a aplicar en los distritos escolares del condado de Will. El distrito escolar requerirá una verificación de antecedentes/cita para huellas dactilares durante el proceso de contratación. Por favor, contacta al distrito escolar empleador para más instrucciones.
¿Recibiré un certificado oficial?
Las verificaciones de licencias pueden imprimirse desde la página de credenciales de tu cuenta ELIS. ISBE ya no emite certificados.
*Los maestros sustitutos con licencia están calificados para trabajar como paraprofesionales.
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Employment Status
Retired educators collecting benefits from a State retirement system should list themselves as such in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
Professional Development Entry and Renewal Instructions
How many hours can I work if I am retired?
***Please contact Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois with any questions regarding retirement benefits, limitations and requirements.***
TRS Website: www.trsil.org
Phone number: (877) 927-5877
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2024 Renewals start April 1st
Educators will receive a reminder email from ISBE when it is time to renew their license. To renew, educators can log into their ELIS account starting April 1 of the year their license expires.
If your License is currently expired, you must reinstate your License and register within your region again.
If your license requires professional development hours and/or Administrator Academies hours and the renewal option is not available, make sure all hours are met and entered on your professional development tab and adjust your employment status accordingly, if needed.
Professional Development and Adminstrator Academy resources:
Education-Innovation-Service Center (EISC)
How Do I Update My Employment Status
You will not be able to renew until all PD/AA requirements are met.