ISBE Educator Licensure Frequently Asked Questions

Rev. September 2016         Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education        Page 1 of 34 
 
 
Frequently Asked Questions 
Click a topic below to be taken to a list of questions relating to that topic.  You may then select your 
question from the list to see the corresponding answer. 
 
TOPICS 
o  License and Endorsement Types 
o  Requirements for Licenses and Endorsements 
o  The Application Process 
o  Registration and Renewal 
o  Reinstatement of a Lapsed License 
o  Terminology 
o  Additional Information for International Applicants 
o  General Questions 
o  Contact Information 
 
 
 
 
Please note: The information in this document is subject to change with new law.  Any new information set forth in Illinois 
Administrative Code or Illinois Compiled Statutes shall supersede the information in this document. 
 
 

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License and Endorsement Types 
What types of licenses exist? 
What endorsements can be added to my professional educator license? 
What endorsements can be added to my educator license with stipulations? 
Can I receive a paper copy of my license? 
 
For how many years is my license valid? 
 
I have not met all of the requirements for a professional educator license.  Can I receive any sort of 
provisional license so I can begin teaching right away? 
If I receive an educator license with stipulations endorsed as a provisional educator, will this license 
automatically be exchanged for a professional educator license (PEL) once I have met the requirements 
for the PEL? 
If I hold a valid professional educator license or educator license with stipulations, am I qualified to be a 
substitute teacher? 
What types of special education endorsements or approvals are available?  
 
Requirements for Licenses and Endorsements 
How can I obtain a substitute teaching license? 
How can I obtain an ELS endorsed for a paraprofessional educator? 
 
  
 
How can I qualify to teach special education in pre-kindergarten?  
How can I qualify to teach in a self-contained general education setting? 
How can I qualify to teach special education in a cross-categorical Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I) 
setting? 
I have completed an alternative educator licensure program in another state.  What are my options for 
licensure in Illinois?  
Which tests do I need to take for a specific license? 
 
Which tests do I need to take to add a specific endorsement to my license? 

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Do I need to have U.S. citizenship to obtain a license in Illinois? 
 
I need additional coursework for the PEL.  What courses can I take to fulfill these requirements, and 
where can I take them? 
 
How can I obtain the gifted education teacher or gifted education specialist endorsement? 
 
Does Illinois offer any alternative routes to educator licensure? 
 
What are requirements for supervisory endorsements? 
 
 
 
The Application Process 
How much are the application fees? 
How can I pay the application fees? 
How long will it take for my license, endorsement, or approval to be issued? 
The endorsement or approval I want is not available on the application.  Why? 
What happens if my license has been previously denied? 
 
Registration and Renewal 
How much are registration fees for my license? 
Which regional office of education (ROE) is in my county or region? 
What will I need to do to renew my professional educator license? 
What will I need to do to renew my educator license with stipulations- provisional educator? 
How do I renew my substitute teaching license? 
I hold a professional educator license and a substitute license. Now that I have to pay separate 
registration fees for both, is it necessary to maintain both licenses? 
                                                               
My certificate has been exchanged for a license.  When do I need to renew my license? 
I am a new Illinois educator and have just received my first Illinois license.  When should I register my 
license? 
 

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Reinstatement of a Lapsed License 
My license has lapsed.  What are my options for reinstatement? 
I need to reinstate my license.  What coursework can I complete? 
 
Terminology 
My license/endorsement status is listed in ELIS as lapsed, deficient, pending review, etc.  What do these 
statuses mean? 
What is a self-contained general education endorsement? 
What is an endorsement? 
What is LBS I? 
What are school support personnel? 
What is a paraprofessional? 
What do you mean by a valid, comparable out-of-state certificate or license? 
What is a state-approved program? 
What is entitlement? 
What is the difference between an endorsement and a designation on my license? 
 
What is an approval? 
 
What is an IEIN? 
 
Additional Information for International Applicants 
I completed an educator preparation program outside of the United States.  What additional 
requirements do I need to apply for licensure in Illinois? 
I am an international student completing a state-approved program at a U.S. college or university.  Am I 
eligible to receive an Illinois license? 
Do I need to have U.S. citizenship to obtain a license in Illinois? 
 

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General Questions

How do I access my Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account?

How do I change my name, address, or other information in ELIS?

How can I contact my regional office of education or ISBE?

I cannot open a deficiency letter in my account. What is wrong?

I have two ELIS accounts and need the accounts merged. What should I do?

How can I submit course descriptions to ISBE for review?

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License and Endorsement Types

What types of licenses exist?

There are three types of licenses in Illinois:

 Professional Educator License

 Educator License with Stipulations

 Substitute Teaching License

Click each license type to see the endorsements that can be added to that particular license.

Please note endorsements cannot be added to a substitute license. Click here to see the

requirements for obtaining each license.

Please note that after issuance, all licenses must be registered in your ELIS account to be valid

for teaching.

What endorsements can be added to my professional educator license?

The following endorsements can be added to a professional educator license:

Early Childhood Education (Birth-grade 3)*

Elementary Education

(K-9)*

Secondary Education (9-12)*

Special (K-12, endorsed in one content area)*

Special Education (PK- Age 21)*

School Counselor (PK- Age 21)*

School Social Worker (PK- Age 21)*

School Psychologist (PK- Age 21)*

School Nurse (PK- Age 21)*

Speech Language Pathologist (teaching or non-teaching) (PK-Age 21)*

Principal (PK-12)*

General Administrative (K-12)***

Chief School Business Official (PK-12)*

Director of Special Education (PK-21)*

Superintendent (PK-12)*

Gifted Education Teacher (grade range varies)**

Gifted Education Specialist (PK-12)

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Reading Specialist (K-12)*

Teacher Leader (PK-12)*

Content/Subject Areas (Grade range varies)**

*Requires completion of a state-approved educator preparation program

** Can only be added within the grade range of your current credentials

***The general administrative endorsement is only available to educators who completed their general

administrative program prior to September 1, 2014.

K-9 Elementary programs must be completed by September 1, 2018, and endorsements must be

issued by September 1, 2019.

What endorsements can be added to my educator license with stipulations?

The following endorsements can be added to an educator license with stipulations:

Provisional Educator

Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 3)*

Elementary Education

(K-9)*

Secondary Education (6-12)*

Special (K-12, endorsed in one content area)*

Special Education (PK- Age 21)*

School Counselor (PK- Age 21)*

School Social Worker (PK- Age 21)*

School Psychologist (PK- Age 21)*

School Nurse (PK- Age 21)*

Speech Language Pathologist (teaching or non-teaching) (PK-Age 21)*

Chief School Business Official (PK-12)*

Director of Special Education (PK-21)*

Principal (PK-12)

Superintendent (PK-12)*

Content/Subject Areas (Grade range varies)**

Alternative Provisional Educator (various programs available)

Chief School Business Official (PK-12)

Career and Technical Educator (7-12) (field endorsed)

Provisional Career and Technical Educator (11-12) (field endorsed)

Part-time Provisional Career and Technical Educator (6-12)

Transitional Bilingual Educator (PK-12) (language endorsed)

Visiting International Teacher (grade range varies)

Paraprofessional Educator (PK- Age 21)

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** Can only be added within the grade range of your current credentials

The following endorsements can only be issued through entitlement:

Alternative Provisional Educator (grade range varies)

Resident Teacher (grade range varies)

Reading Specialist (K-12)*

Teacher Leader (PK-12)

*Unless an out of state approved program was completed

K-9 Elementary programs must be completed by September 1, 2018, and endorsements must be

issued by September 1, 2019.

Can I receive a paper copy of my license?

Educators will not receive paper copies of their licenses but may print any ELIS page if they wish

to have a printed version of their credentials.

For how many years is my license valid?

A newly-issued professional educator license(PEL) is valid for five full fiscal years and renewable

if professional development requirements are met.

The educator license with stipulations endorsed as a provisional educator is valid for one full

fiscal year. If licensure tests are passed within this time, the license can be extended for an

additional fiscal year. If the educator has not been employed full-time on the license in an

Illinois public or recognized non-public school, the license may be renewed for two additional

years upon request from the educator (ISBE form 80-04: Request to Renew an Educator License

with Stipulations Endorsed for a Provisional Educator form must be submitted to ISBE prior to

the license’s expiration date.)

The educator license with stipulations endorsed as a transitional bilingual educator is valid for

five full fiscal years and may not be renewed.

The educator license with stipulations endorsed as a career and technical educator is valid for

five full fiscal years and may be renewed.

The educator license with stipulations endorsed as a provisional career and technical educator

is valid for five full fiscal years and may be renewed once.

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The educator license with stipulations endorsed as a visiting international teacher is valid for

three full fiscal years and may not be renewed.

The substitute teaching license is valid for five full fiscal years and renewable with payment of

registration fees. All substitute licenses received a new five-year cycle in the exchange; thus, all

licenses with a 7/1/2013 begin date will need to renew by 6/30/2018.

I have not met all of the requirements for a professional educator license. Can I

receive any sort of provisional license so I can begin teaching right away?

If you have not met all of the requirements for a professional educator license and you would

like to begin teaching immediately, you may be eligible for an educator license with stipulations

endorsed as a provisional educator. Please view the requirements for the professional

educator license and the educator license with stipulations to determine which license is best

for you.

An educator license with stipulations endorsed as a provisional educator is valid for one full

fiscal year and can be extended for an additional fiscal year if licensure tests have been passed.

The license may be renewed for an additional two fiscal years if you have not been employed

full-time on the license. Before your provisional license expires, you must meet the

requirements of the professional educator license to continue to be legally employed.

If I receive an educator license with stipulations endorsed as a provisional

educator, will this license automatically be exchanged for a professional

educator license (PEL) once I have met the requirements for the PEL?

Yes, your educator license with stipulations endorsed as a provisional educator will be

automatically exchanged for a professional educator license if the requirements for the PEL have

been met within the two-fiscal year validity of your deficiency letter. Click here to see the

requirements for obtaining the professional educator license.

If you do not meet the requirements for the PEL within two full fiscal years, you must submit a

new application and fee and meet any new licensure requirements that are in effect at the time

of your new application.

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If I hold a valid professional educator license or educator license with

stipulations, am I qualified to be a substitute teacher?

If you hold a valid professional educator license or educator license with stipulations that

required a bachelor’s degree for issuance, you are qualified to be a substitute teacher. You do

not need to hold a substitute teaching license. Some districts may require the issuance of a

Substitute license for employment.

What types of special education endorsements or approvals are available?

To view requirements for each endorsement or approval, click here.

Endorsements Requiring Completion of an Approved Preparation Program:

Learning Behavior Specialist I (PK- Age 21) (cross-categorical special education)

Teacher of Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (PK- Age 21)

Teacher of Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired (PK- Age 21)

Speech Language Pathologist- Teaching (PK- Age 21)

Other Endorsements:

Learning Behavior Specialist I (valid for the grade range of your license)

Learning Behavior Specialist II (available through entitlement only after completing an approved

program in Illinois)

Approvals:

Early Childhood Special Education

Bilingual Special Education

ESL Special Education

Adaptive PE

Sign Language Interpreter

Interim Sign Language Interpreter

Cued Speech Interpreter

Short-Term Emergency Approval in Special Education

Teacher Coordinator of Vocational Programs

Vocational Coordinator

Interim Approval for School Counselor Intern

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School Nurse Intern

School Psychologist Intern

Social Worker Intern

Requirements for Licenses and Endorsements

How can I obtain a substitute teaching license?

A substitute teaching license, valid for substitute teaching in grades PK-12 in any county in

Illinois, may be issued to individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally

accredited institution of higher education. To apply, individuals may submit an application

online in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). A $50 fee will be assessed

electronically when the application is submitted. After submitting their application, individuals

should have an official transcript showing an awarded bachelor’s degree sent to ISBE.

 To be valid for teaching, a substitute license must be registered in ELIS after it is issued.

The license is valid for five years and may be renewed with the payment of registration

fees.

Please note: Individuals who hold a lapsed professional educator license (PEL) and owed

professional development are not eligible to obtain a substitute teaching license. If your PEL is

lapsed and you do not owe professional development, you may obtain a substitute teaching

license.

Individuals who have had their PEL or ELS suspended or revoked and have not met the renewal

requirements are not eligible to obtain a new substitute teaching license.

Individuals who hold a license indicative of a bachelor’s degree (such as a professional educator

license) are able to substitute teach on that license. A substitute teaching license is not required

by the state. Please check with your employer to see if you need to obtain a substitute teaching

license.

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How can I obtain an ELS endorsed as a paraprofessional educator?

A paraprofessional educator endorsement on an educator license with stipulations may be issued to

an individual who is at least 20 years of age, holds a high school diploma or its recognized

equivalent, and has met one of the following requirements:

1. Holds an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;

2. Has completed at least 60 semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited institution of

higher education (excluding remedial coursework) (coursework must be passed with a “D” or

higher);

3. Presents an official score report from Educational Testing Service (ETS) showing a score of 460

or higher on the ParaPro test; or

4. Presents evidence of earning the following scores on the Work Keys test (offered by ACT):

Reading for Information (4), Writing/Business Writing (3), and Applied Mathematics (4).

To apply for an educator license with stipulations endorsed as a paraprofessional educator,

individuals may submit an application in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS.) A $100

fee will be assessed electronically when the application is submitted. After submitting their

application, individuals should have a copy of their high school diploma and official transcripts

showing completion of any college coursework sent to ISBE.

An educator license with stipulations endorsed as a paraprofessional educator is not valid until it is

registered. Once registered, the license is valid until June 30 immediately following five years of the

endorsement being issued and may be renewed. Please note: If an individual already holds an

educator license indicative of a bachelor’s degree or an educator license with stipulations endorsed

for career and technical educator, an educator license with stipulations is not required to serve in

the capacity of a paraprofessional.

How can I obtain a middle school endorsement?**

Before you can add a middle school endorsement, you must hold an endorsement for one of the

following grade ranges:

 Elementary

(K-9)

 Secondary (6-12)

 Special (K-12) or Special Education (PK-21)

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If you hold an elementary education endorsement, the middle school endorsement is valid for

grades 5-8. If you hold a secondary education endorsement, the middle school endorsement is

valid for grades 6-8. If you hold a special (K-12) or special education (PK-21) endorsement, the

middle school endorsement is valid for grades 5-8.

To obtain a middle school endorsement, you must submit an application for endorsement and

meet the coursework requirements for the endorsement sought. Some middle school

endorsements also require passing a content area test. View requirements for all available

middle school endorsements here. Six semester hours of middle grade professional coursework

must also be completed. For more information about the middle school coursework, click here.

Exception: If you completed a state approved K-12 program and hold a special K-12

endorsement in a specific subject area, you can teach middle school in that specific subject area

without completion of the middle grade professional coursework.

**Middle grade endorsement applications submitted prior to February 1, 2018 will be

evaluated under current rules. Visit https://www.isbe.net/Documents/future-of-illinois-middle-

grades.pdf for information on Middle Grade Program/Endorsement changes!

K-9 Elementary programs must be completed by September 1, 2018, and endorsements must be

issued by September 1, 2019.

How can I qualify to teach special education in pre-kindergarten?

To teach special education in pre-kindergarten, you must hold an early childhood special

education approval. This approval can ONLY be obtained if you already hold an early childhood

education (birth-grade 3) endorsement, a special (LBSI PK-21) endorsement, or a split

elementary education/secondary education endorsement that includes an LBSI endorsement

with a combined grade range equivalent to PK-21. The Early Childhood Special Education

approval (ECT) is granted when an educator has completed coursework in early childhood

special education methods, early childhood special education assessment, language

development in the young child, and child, family, & community relationships. This is not always

achieved with the completion of just four courses. Illinois institutions have identified a specific

sequence of courses offered at their institutions that will meet these areas.

Although the grade range of the special (LBSI PK-21) endorsement encompasses pre-

kindergarten, educators with this endorsement are not qualified to teach pre-kindergarten

special education until they hold the early childhood special education approval.

Exception: Teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, teachers of students who are

blind or visually impaired, and speech language pathologists are not required to hold an early

childhood special education approval.

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How can I qualify to teach in a self-contained general education setting?

To teach in a self-contained setting and teach all subjects, you must hold the self-contained

general education endorsement on your license. This endorsement is only available to

individuals who have completed a state-approved early childhood education or elementary

education program and have passed the appropriate tests

How can I qualify to teach special education in a cross-categorical Learning

Behavior Specialist I (LBS I) setting?

To teach cross-categorical special education for grades kindergarten and above, you must hold

the LBS I endorsement or LBS I approval. The LBSI approval, no longer issued as of September 1,

2015, was valid for 3 calendar years if issued on or after January 1, 2002. If issued prior to that

date, there is no end date and the approval does not expire. The LBS I approval is valid for the

grade range of the endorsement held for grades kindergarten and above. To serve as a teacher

for cross-categorical early childhood special education, you must also obtain the early

childhood special education approval.

You may hold one of the following grade level endorsements and either the LBS I approval or

the endorsement:

Grade Level Endorsement

LBS I Approval or Endorsement Grade Range

Early Childhood Teaching

(Grade K-3)

Elementary Teaching

(Grade K-9) or (PreK-9)

Secondary Teaching

(Grade 6-12)

Special K-12 Teaching (Music, PE, Visual Arts…)

(Grade K-12)

Special Education (PK-21) endorsed in one of

the following:

 Deaf or Hard of Hearing

 Blind or Visually Impaired

 Speech Language Pathologist

(Grade K-12)

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ǂ 
K-9 Elementary programs must be completed by September 1, 2018, and endorsements must be 
issued by September 1, 2019. 
 
I have completed an alternative educator certification program in another state.  
What are my options for licensure in Illinois?  
Each out-of-state applicant for an Illinois teaching license must meet licensure requirements 
that are similar to Illinois requirements.  For those who have completed alternative certification 
or licensure programs, requirements include: 
  Graduation from a regionally accredited institution with a bachelor’s degree that 
directly corresponds to the endorsement sought and meets the requirements for that 
endorsement 
  An intensive course of study approved by that state for this purpose 
  Student teaching or another structured teaching experience that forms part of the 
approved alternative program, as well as additional required coursework that applies to 
all out-of-state applicants 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Which tests do I need to take for a specific license?  
 
To see the exact tests needed for licensure, view the Illinois Licensure, Endorsement, and 
Approval Requirements and select the particular license you are seeking. 
An out-of-state test of basic skills or content test can be honored during the initial PEL 
evaluation if the test was used to obtain initial licensure in another state. Verification is required 
from your institution or the state in which licensure was awarded. Use form 80-02: State 
Approved Program and Completion of Standards Verification to verify passing scores. 
A passing score on an edTPA taken in another state for licensure can also be honored in Illinois. 
Click here for more details (under Testing Information). Use form 80-01A: Out-of-State 
Verification of EdTPA and visit www.edtpa.com to submit official scores to Illinois. 
For additional testing information, including test registration, please visit www.icts.nesinc.com.   
 
 
 

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 16 of 34

Which tests do I need to take to add a specific content/subject endorsement to

my license?

Click here to see what tests (if any) are required for each subject/content area endorsement.

All content-area tests are valid indefinitely.

Do I need to have U.S. citizenship to obtain a license in Illinois?

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or hold a valid social security number to obtain an Illinois

license, but you must hold a valid social security number to obtain employment as an educator.

For additional information about acquiring a social security number through the Social Security

Administration, click here.

I need additional coursework for the PEL. What courses can I take to fulfill these

requirements, and where can I take them?

The Illinois State Board of Education has pre-approved courses from various Illinois and out-of-

state institutions for the professional educator license requirements. To see specific courses

that that may be completed to meet licensure requirements in the areas of cross-categorical

special education methods, ESL/bilingual methods, reading methods, and reading in the content

area, click here.

How can I obtain the gifted education teacher or gifted education specialist

endorsement?

View the Illinois Licensure, Endorsement, and Approval Requirements document.

Does Illinois offer any alternative routes to educator licensure?

Yes. Instead of completing a traditional route to educator licensure, you may complete an

approved alternative licensure program in the state. Alternative programs are two-year

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 17 of 34

programs and typically begin with an intensive course of study during the summer term. Then,

candidates serve as teachers of record in their own classroom for two years. Additional

program requirements are completed during this time.

To be admitted to an alternative licensure program, you must already hold a bachelor’s degree

in a content area and have passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (or provided acceptable ACT

or SAT scores) and have passed the applicable content test.

To begin your first year of residency, you must apply for an educator license with stipulations

endorsed for provisional alternative educator and complete a course of study in the approved

alternative education program.

Before beginning your second year of residency, you must complete any additional coursework

required by your program, pass the edPTA (candidates beginning their second year of residency

in the 2015-2016 school year will be required to pass the edTPA during that year), pass the APT

test, and be recommended by your program to begin the second year of residency.

Please view the Directory of Approved Programs to see the alternative licensure programs

available in Illinois. You may contact specific institutions for information about applying to the

program.

What are requirements for supervisory endorsements?

Supervisory endorsements may be added in the following areas:

 Learning Behavior Specialist I

 Teacher of Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

 Teacher of Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

 Speech Language Pathologist (teaching)

 Early Childhood Special Education

 School Social Worker

 School Nurse

 School Counselor

 School Psychologist

 Speech Language Pathologist (non-teaching)

To qualify for a supervisory endorsement, an educator must already hold one of the above

endorsements on his/her professional educator license and complete eight semester hours of

graduate professional education coursework that includes:

 One course for supervision of personnel

 One course for administration and organization of schools

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 18 of 34

The Application Process

How much are the application fees?

Professional Educator License (PEL) Application Fee:

If you completed an educator preparation program in Illinois, the license application fee is

$100.*

If you completed an educator preparation program outside Illinois, the application fee for your

license is $150.*

If you do not qualify for the PEL but meet the requirements for the ELS endorsed as a provisional

educator, the ELS will be issued. The ELS can be exchanged for the PEL for no additional fee or

application if PEL deficiencies are removed within one calendar year.

Educator License with Stipulations Application Fee:

If you completed an educator preparation program in Illinois, the license application fee is

$100.*

If you completed an educator preparation program outside Illinois, the application fee for your

license is $150.* Exception: Transitional bilingual educator fees are $100.*

Substitute License Fee:

The application fee for a substitute license is $50.*

Paraprofessional Endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations:

The application fee is $100.*

Endorsements:

The application fee for adding an endorsement to an existing license is $50 per endorsement.*

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 19 of 34

Approvals:

The application fee for adding an approval is $50.* Approvals are free if no professional

educator license is held, and if a license is not required for the approval’s issuance.

*A convenience fee will be applied at the time of your online payment.

How can I pay the application fees?

All fees must be paid online with a credit or debit card at the time of application. If you are

uncomfortable using your personal credit/debit card, pre-paid credit cards with an expiration

date may be used. Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express are accepted.

How long will it take for my license, endorsement, or approval to be issued?

Applications are processed in the order they are received, and issuance time depends on the

volume of applications. June through October is our busiest time of year.

You can check the status of your application in the “My Credentials” section of your ELIS

account. Below are statuses you may see in your account.

PR- Pending Review- Your application has been received and is in a queue to be reviewed.

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. You will receive an email alert when

your evaluation has been completed.

D- Deficient- Your application is missing one or more requirements, such as a test, coursework,

or a necessary document. Check the “deficiency letter” section of your account to view the

requirements you are missing. Access your letter using Internet Explorer or Firefox.

I- Issued- Your credential has been issued. If your credential is a new license, you need to

The endorsement or approval I want is not available on the application. Why?

There are a few reasons the endorsement you are seeking may not be available on the

endorsement application:

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 20 of 34

1. If you already hold the endorsement, or if you have applied for the endorsement in the past

year and hold a valid deficiency letter, you will not be able to apply for the same

endorsement. Click the “My Credentials” tab in your ELIS account to see your issued,

pending, and deficient credentials.

2. If an Illinois university or college has recommended you for a specific endorsement or

approval through entitlement, you will not be able to apply for the same endorsement

through ISBE evaluation. Please check your pending credentials on your ELIS homepage to

see if a higher education institution has entered a notification for entitlement. You can then

apply for the pending endorsement.

3. Some endorsements or approvals are only available through entitlement. The reading

specialist, alternative provisional superintendent, alternative provisional educator, and

resident teacher endorsements, as well as the interim school counselor intern approval and

all LBS II approvals, are only granted through entitlement. If you are seeking one of these

endorsements or approvals, please speak to an Illinois university or college for information

about approved program requirements.

4. Other endorsements are only available for specific grade ranges. You must hold an

endorsement for the grade range needed for a particular endorsement. For instance, you

cannot submit an application for mathematics (9-12) unless you already hold either the

secondary, K-12, or PreK-21 education endorsement. To add an additional grade range

endorsement to your license, you must complete a state-approved program at a regionally-

accredited college or university.

5. Some endorsements can only be added to a specific license. If you do not hold the correct

license type, you will not be able to add the endorsement. View a list of endorsements that

can be added to a professional educator license and a list of endorsements that can be

added to an educator license with stipulations.

What happens if my license has been previously denied?

If you have previously been denied a license or have had another action against your license, be advised

that if you re-apply, ISBE will review a personal statement and letters of reference or recommendation

and may require you to submit additional documentation (see Rule 25.485 for complete details). Your

application fee is non-refundable. This is not a guarantee that you will receive a license. Your application

may be denied and if so, you will be advised of your option to appeal that denial.

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 21 of 34

Registration and Renewal

How much are registration fees for my license?

Licenses must be registered for $10 per year to prevent them from lapsing. Educators can pay

registration fees by logging in to ELIS, and registration fees must be paid for the entire cycle of

the license. If you hold more than one license, you must pay registration fees for each license.

It is your responsibility to remember when your license needs to be registered.

If a license is not registered after six months, it lapses, and the educator will have to pay a $500

penalty fee OR complete nine semester hours of appropriate college coursework. View more

information about lapsed licenses here.

Which regional office of education (ROE) is in my county or region?

Regional offices of education are grouped by counties throughout Illinois. Your license must be

registered in the region where you are employed. Non-public and retired educators register in

the county where they live; Out of state educators register in Region 15. Click here to see a list

of regional offices of education.

What will I need to do to renew my professional educator license?

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 22 of 34

Teachers, Career and Technical Education Teachers, Teaching Speech Language Pathologists

Complete and record the required amount of professional development reflected in ELIS at the bottom

of the Educator Development screen. Log in to ELIS on/after April 1

of your renewal year. Click on

Renewals in the Action Center on your homepage. Follow the instructions to renew and register your

license.

Beginning in 2019 teachers who hold administrative credentials will must complete 1 Administrator

Academy (AA) during each five-year cycle. Information about AAs is available by contacting your

Regional Office of Education.

School Service Personnel (Does not include Teaching Speech Language Pathologists)

Complete and record the required amount of professional development reflected in ELIS at the bottom

of the Educator Development screen. Alternately, School Service Personnel may record their Illinois

Department of Financial and Professional Regulations license in ELIS to fulfill 100% of their professional

development requirements. Log in to ELIS on/after April 1

of your renewal year. Click on Renewals in

the Action Center on your homepage. Follow the instructions to renew and register your license.

Administrators

Complete and record the required amount of professional development reflected in ELIS at the bottom

of the Educator Development screen. Confirm that all Administrator Academies (AAs) you completed

are reflected on the Educator Development screen. Contact ISBE Educator Licensure regarding missing

AAs. Log in to ELIS on/after April 1st of your renewal year. Click on Renewals in the Action Center on

your homepage. Follow the instructions to renew and register your license.

What will I need to do to renew my educator license with stipulations-

provisional educator?

If you have not been employed full-time on your educator license with stipulations (ELS-PEDU), you may

renew your license for two full fiscal years. During this two-year period, you should complete the edTPA

(if applicable) in order to earn your professional educator license.

To renew your ELS-PEDU, you must complete the top portion of ISBE form 80-04: Request to Renew an

Educator License with Stipulations- Provisional Educator and your ROE must complete the bottom

portion. Your ROE must upload the form to your ELIS account. The form must be received by ISBE

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 23 of 34

(uploaded to your ELIS account) prior to the day your license is due to expire. If not received in time,

your license will expire and cannot be renewed.

How do I renew my substitute teaching license?

A Substitute Teaching License can be renewed by logging into your ELIS account and paying the

applicable registration fees.

I hold a professional educator license and a substitute license. Now that I have

to pay separate registration fees for both, is it necessary to maintain both

licenses?

It is not necessary to maintain both types of licenses. Your professional educator license (PEL)

allows you to teach as a substitute. The PEL allows more flexibility for teaching; so even if you

retire, it is better to maintain your PEL than to receive a substitute license and allow your PEL to

lapse.

I am a new Illinois educator and have just received my first Illinois license.

When should I register my license?

Your license should be registered within six months of its issuance or it will lapse and be invalid

for public school employment. If a license lapses, you must pay a $500 reinstatement fee or

complete 9 semester hours of coursework in one of your endorsement areas to reinstate your

license. You should register your license in your ELIS account and identify the regional office of

education in the county where you work. Non-public and retired educators register in the

county where they live; Out of state educators register in Region 15. Click here to see a list of

regional offices of education listed by county.

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 24 of 34

Reinstatement of a Lapsed License

My license has lapsed. What are my options for reinstatement?

If your educator license has lapsed because you have not completed the required

professional development and/or Administrators’ Academy courses, you must complete

any deficient professional development, enter the activities in ELIS, and submit your PD

before you may reinstate your license.

Once you have satisfied the professional development requirements, you may choose

one of the two following options:

1. Complete nine semester hours of coursework in one or more of the

endorsement areas listed on your license. Coursework must be

completed within the last five fiscal years. View acceptable courses

you may complete for reinstatement below.

2. Pay a $500 penalty fee in place of completing nine semester hours of

coursework.

You may apply for reinstatement in ELIS. You will be able to select which of the two

reinstatement options you wish to use. View the following documents to obtain step by

step ELIS instructions on how to reinstate your license:

 ELIS Procedures - Documentation for 9 Semester Hours of College Coursework

Option (11/15)

 ELIS Procedures - $500 Fee Option (11/15)

I need to reinstate my license. What coursework can I complete?

If you plan to reinstate your license by using nine semester hours of coursework completed within

the last five fiscal years, view the list of acceptable coursework for each license type below.

Elementary or Early Childhood Endorsement: Core content courses (English language

arts, math, science, or social science), reading, special populations (including special

education, gifted, English as a second language, or bilingual education), human

development, educational psychology, methods of instruction, or technology as it

relates to education. Coursework in any of your endorsement areas will also be

accepted.

Secondary Education or K-12 Special Endorsement: Endorsement area content

coursework, Reading, special populations (including special education, gifted, English as

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 25 of 34

a second language, or bilingual education), human development, educational

psychology, methods of instruction, or technology as it relates to education. Coursework

in any of your endorsement areas will also be accepted.

Special Education PK-21 Endorsement: Core content courses (English language arts,

math, science, or social science), reading, special populations (including special

education, gifted, English as a second language, or bilingual education), human

development, educational psychology, methods of instruction, or technology as it

relates to education. Coursework in any of your endorsement areas will also be

accepted.

Administrative Endorsement: Administrative coursework, Reading, special populations

(including special education, gifted, English as a second language, or bilingual

education), human development, educational psychology, methods of instruction, or

technology as it relates to education. Coursework in any of your endorsement areas will

also be accepted.

School Support Personnel Endorsement: Endorsement area content coursework,

Reading, special populations (including special education, gifted, English as a second

language, or bilingual education), human development, educational psychology,

methods of instruction, or technology as it relates to education. Coursework in any of

your endorsement areas will also be accepted.

Through September 1, 2016, educators may utilize coursework completed on or after 7/1/2010 toward

reinstating their licenses. Beginning September 2, 2016, educators may utilize coursework taken on or

after September 1, 2011. This timeline is compliant with 25.450 (b)(2)(C), which states: “The validity

period for any coursework used for license reinstatement shall expire on September 1 immediately

following the fifth full year after the date of the coursework's completion.”

**A $500 penalty fee can be submitted instead of completing nine semester hours of

coursework.

Terminology

My license/endorsement status is listed in ELIS as lapsed, deficient, pending

review, etc. What do these statuses mean?

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 26 of 34

Completed Program (CP): If you are being recommended for a license or endorsement through

entitlement, your status will be “Completed Program” until you apply for your pending

notification. To apply for the entitlement notification, go to your ELIS homepage and click on

the link that alerts you of your pending entitlement notification. Your status will change to

“issued” once your application and fee are received.

Deficient (D): You have not met all of the requirements needed for the endorsement/license.

You will receive a letter through email detailing the requirements you need to meet.

Deleted/Removed (DR): The license/endorsement has been removed from your credentials and

is not valid for teaching in an Illinois public or state-operated school. You may see this status if a

duplicate license/endorsement was removed from your credentials.

Educator Surrendered (SU): The educator has voluntarily given up the license/endorsement.

Exchanged (EX): The license has been converted into a different license. The license with the

“exchanged” status is not valid for employment in an Illinois public or state-operated school.

This status is most often seen on licenses that were once “certificates” prior to implementation

of ELIS. For example, prior to July 1, 2013, an initial certificate may have been exchanged for a

standard certificate, or a provisional certificate may have been exchanged for a full certificate. In

ELIS, these historical licenses would have an “exchanged” status.

Expired (X): The license/endorsement has expired and is not valid for employment in an Illinois

public or state-operated school.

Inactive (IN): Your license registration fees expired and/or a Statement of Assurance (SOA) was

not approved prior June 30 of this year. You have until December 31 of this year to pay

registration fees and/or obtain SOA approval. Your license is invalid for employment in an

Illinois public or state-operated school.

Issued (I): You have met all necessary requirements for the license/endorsement.

Lapsed (L): Your last renewal cycle ended on or before June 30 of last year. Your license lapsed

because your license registration fees were not paid and/or professional development was not

submitted. Your license is invalid for employment in an Illinois public or state-operated school

until you reinstate it. Click here for an explanation of your reinstatement options.

Licensure Conversion (LC): If you held an Illinois certificate prior to July 1, 2013, that certificate

transferred to the new licensure system with a “licensure conversion” status. If your certificate

was valid at the time of the conversion, the same license is listed in your credentials with an

“issued” status.

Pending Review (PR): ISBE has received your application, and it is waiting to be reviewed by an

evaluator. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 27 of 34

Pre-Completion of Program (PC): The individual is being entitled for a license by an Illinois

university or college, but has not yet met all of the requirements for licensure.

Revoked (R): For educational purposes, the license no longer exists, and notification to that

effect was entered into the nationwide database.

Suspended (S): The license or endorsement is no longer valid for working in a position requiring

that credential, but it may be reinstated after a specific period of time.

What is a self-contained general education endorsement?

This endorsement allows an educator to teach all subject areas in one classroom to all students

within the grade range of the license.

What is an endorsement?

The term endorsement is used to describe a credential listed on a professional educator license

or an educator license with stipulations.

A teaching endorsement may be a grade-level endorsement (i.e. early childhood, elementary,

secondary, or special) or a content/subject-area endorsement (i.e. middle school language arts,

senior high school health education, or transitional bilingual educator).

Administrative endorsements include chief school business official, director of special

education, superintendent, principal, and general administrative.

School support personnel endorsements include school counselor, school social worker, school

psychologist, school nurse, and speech language pathologist (non-teaching).

What is LBS I?

LBS I is the acronym for Learning Behavior Specialist I. An educator can teach cross-categorical

special education with an LBS I endorsement.

What are school support personnel?

School support personnel include the following: school social worker, school counselor, school

psychologist, school nurse, and non-teaching speech-language pathologist.

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 28 of 34

What is a paraprofessional?

Paraprofessionals are personnel authorized to be employed to assist in instruction (for example,

a teacher’s aide). After July 1, 2013, all new applicants for a paraprofessional credential must

hold an educator license with stipulations endorsed for a paraprofessional educator in order to

be employed as a paraprofessional.

What do you mean by a valid, comparable out-of-state certificate or license?

To receive an educator license with stipulations endorsed as a provisional educator, you must

present a valid, comparable out-of-state certificate or license. To be “valid”, your certificate

must be active and not expired. To be “comparable”, your certificate must be equivalent to an

Illinois license endorsed in the specific teaching field you are seeking. For instance, if you are

seeking the “secondary education” endorsement in Illinois, your out-of-state certificate or

license must list credentials for teaching grades 6-12 (or a similar range).

If you are seeking an educator license with stipulations endorsed in an administrative or school

support personnel area, your out-of-state certificate or license must reflect the credential you

are seeking in Illinois. For example, if you are seeking the school counselor endorsement in

Illinois, your out-of-state certificate or license must list a school counselor credential.

What is a state-approved program?

A state-approved program is a higher education institution or not-for-profit organization’s

focused program for the preparation of education personnel that leads to licensure in that state

or country. To be considered an “approved program” in Illinois, an institution/organization must

meet rigorous requirements and be recognized as such by the Illinois State Board of Education.

For a list of approved programs available at Illinois colleges and universities, click here.

What is entitlement?

Entitlement is the process Illinois institutions of higher education or not-for-profit entities

recognized and approved to offer educator preparation programs use when recommending a

candidate for a particular endorsement or license. If you completed coursework at an Illinois

university or college that qualified you for an endorsement or license, the institution may enter

a notification for entitlement in your ELIS account.

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 29 of 34

By entering this notification, the institution is confirming you have completed all coursework

and testing requirements required for the endorsement/license per current Illinois rules and

regulations.

The pending credential will be listed on your ELIS home page. You can apply for this credential

on your ELIS home page.

What is the difference between an endorsement and a designation on my

license?

An endorsement entitles you to teach or administrate in a specific area. Designations

demonstrate areas of expertise or training modules completed, but do not enable an educator

to teach in an area. For example, you cannot teach in a National Board for Professional Teaching

Standards (NBPTS) designation area unless you hold the applicable Illinois endorsement.

What is an approval?

The following approvals are available.

Adaptive PE

Bilingual Special Education

Cued Speech Interpreter

Early Childhood Special Education

English as a Second Language Special Education

Interim School Counselor Intern

Interim Sign Language Interpreter

Interim Speech Language Pathologist Intern

School Nurse Intern

School Psychologist Intern

School Social Worker Intern

Short Term Authorization for Position Otherwise Unfilled

Short Term Emergency (until September 1, 2018)

Sign Language Interpreter

Teacher Coordinator

Vocational Coordinator

What is an IEIN?

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 30 of 34

An IEIN (Illinois Educator Identification Number) is a unique number assigned to each individual

when his/her ELIS account is created. If you should ever need to contact your ROE or ISBE with

questions, please have your IEIN available so staff may easily locate your account.

Additional Information for International Applicants

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 31 of 34

I completed an educator preparation program outside of the United States.

What additional requirements do I need to apply for licensure in Illinois?

To receive a license in Illinois, out-of-country applicants must have been prepared as an

educator outside of the United States, meet all coursework and testing requirements, and meet

all other requirements detailed in Illinois statute and rules.

If you have foreign credentials, you will need to obtain a course-by-course evaluation that

converts the foreign educational credentials to equivalent U.S. semester credits and courses.

The evaluation will need to specify the grade level for which you were prepared as an educator.

It will also need to indicate the U.S. degree equivalence of your foreign credentials. We will

require the original course-by-course foreign credential evaluation report. You will also need to

present your original foreign documents to your regional office of education, and copies of

these documents will be sent to the Illinois State Board of Education. Click here for a list of

approved evaluation sources.

I am an international student completing a state-approved program at a U.S.

college or university. Am I eligible to receive an Illinois license?

Yes, you may receive an Illinois license. If you plan to use your newly-issued license for

employment in the U.S.; however, you must obtain a social security number. Please visit this

page of the Social Security Administration website for more information:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf

The following pages also provide helpful information:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/people/immigrants/

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10181.html#a0=1

Do I need to have U.S. citizenship to obtain a license in Illinois?

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to obtain an Illinois license.

General Questions

How do I access my ELIS account?

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 32 of 34

left column.

How do I change my name, address, or other information in ELIS?

You may change your email address, mailing address, or phone number by logging in to your

ELIS account and clicking the edit link in your contact information section.

To change your name or update your degree information, complete form 73-71 Licensure

Update Request and bring the form and other necessary documents to your regional office of

education (ROE) so they may upload the materials to ISBE. Alternatively, you may email the

materials to ISBE at lic[email protected]et. Official transcripts verifying a degree must be sent

directly from the institution or mailed to ISBE in an envelope that was sealed by the institution.

If your social security number is listed incorrectly, your ROE can upload a copy of your social

security card to ISBE, or you may mail or fax a copy of your card directly to ISBE.

If your birth date is listed incorrectly, your ROE can upload a copy of your birth certificate or

driver’s license to ISBE, or you may mail or fax a copy directly to ISBE.

Incorrect gender listings may be corrected by having your ROE upload a copy of your driver’s

license or birth certificate. You may also mail or fax a copy directly to ISBE.

I cannot open a deficiency letter in my account. What is wrong?

You may be using an incompatible browser. ELIS works best with Internet Explorer and Firefox;

there are known compatibility issues with other browsers. You should also access your letter

using a PC or laptop rather than a phone or tablet.

I have two ELIS accounts and need the accounts merged. What should I do?

Please email (licensure@isbe.net) a copy of your social security card and a note indicating you

have two ELIS accounts that need to be merged. The note should include your name and IEINs

for both accounts.

How can I submit course descriptions to ISBE for review?

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 33 of 34

Submit ISBE form 80-07: Request for Pre-Approval of Coursework/Re-evaluation of Coursework.

You may provide up to three course descriptions for review. The form should be emailed to

[email protected]t.

Contact Information

Issue

Contact

Assistance with ELIS

Your ROE (Directory of Regional Offices of

Education) or call our call center: 217-557-6763

between 8am and 5pm CST.

Renewal/Reinstatement Questions

Email renewal@isbe.net

Submitting Documents to ISBE

(excluding transcripts and forms that must be

signed by a university/college/ROE)

Acceptable documents to be emailed include:

-out-of-state license

-course descriptions/course syllabi

Email your documents to [email protected]et.

Transcripts and documents requiring official

signature or seal from a university/college/ROE

cannot be emailed by the applicant. *Note: This

email is used to submit documents only; questions

and comments are not monitored and will not

receive a response.

Rev. September 2016 Educator Licensure Division, Illinois State Board of Education Page 34 of 34

- social security card & request for account merge

-letters of teaching experience (must be emailed

directly from your administrator or school district

human resources office)

Submitting social security card for account

merges/name changes

Email a copy of your card to [email protected]et or

fax a copy of your card to 217-524-1289.

Submitting Transcripts to ISBE

Must be mailed directly from the institution or

emailed directly from the institution to

[email protected]t. Applicants may mail official

transcripts to ISBE as long as the transcript is in an

unopened envelope from the university/college.

General Questions

Contact your ROE (Directory of Regional Offices of

Education) or call our call center: 217-557-6763

between 8am and 5pm CST.

Educator Licensure Mailing Address

Illinois State Board of Education

Educator Licensure Division

100 North First Street

Springfield, IL 62777

 For Licensure Requirements: Visit https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-Licensure-

Requirements.aspx

 Pre-approved coursework you may take for the professional educator license is found here:

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/pre-app-pel-coursework.pdf