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Becoming a Teacher within the State of Illinois
Illinois offers full reciprocity. At the time of the initial evaluation for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), educators will be considered for all areas listed on his or her valid, comparable out-of-state license. Per Part 25 Rules, all out-of-state licenses must be equivalent to the Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL). ISBE has authority to determine license equivalency and may request additional documentation to verify equivalency. Any educator applying with an out-of-country license must also submit a translated foreign credential evaluation showing preparation in the licensure area sought. Visit the International Resources section of our website to learn more.
In order to serve as a teacher, school support personnel, or an administrator in the state of Illinois at a public or approved non-public programs, an individual must obtain a PEL. A PEL must be endorsed in one of the following areas:
Pre-Approved Coursework for the Illinois Professional Educator
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Regionally Accrediting Bodies
All coursework must be completed through a regionally accredited institution for licensure in Illinois. Below you will find a list of regionally accrediting bodies:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- New England Commission of Higher Education
- North Central Association of Colleges & Schools - Higher Learning Commission
- Northwest Commission of Colleges & Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges & Schools - Commission on Colleges
- Western Association of Schools & Colleges
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior College
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSE?
A PEL is applied for in the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS), which can be accessed here within a Firefox (18.0 or above) web browser system.
*If you are receiving your PEL through entitlement through an Illinois college/university, you should work directly with your school's licensing office if you have questions pertaining to your application process.
WHERE TO SEND DOCUMENTS:
While the system recommends that you have your official transcripts showing college coursework sent to ISBE in Springfield, we strongly suggest that you send your documents to the Kane County Regional Office of Education (ROE) instead.
NOTE: If you have foreign credentials, you need to have them evaluated by a professional evaluation company. Please select one from the ISBE Foreign Credential Services Sources document
KANE COUNTY ROE CONTACT INFORMATION
Option 1 - Electronic
- Official transcripts should be sent to transcripts@kaneroe.org
- Official score reports should be sent to licensure@kaneroe.org
Option 2 - US Postal Services
- 28 N. First St., Geneva, IL 60134
You may also contact the Kane County ROE at (630) 232-5955 to reach their Licensure Department for further assistance with your application.
WHERE CAN I REGISTER FOR REQUIRED CONTENT AREA TESTS?
All Illinois content area tests can be registered through the ILTS - Illinois Licensure Testing System found here.
WHAT IF I HAVE A PENDING POSITION?
Because this license can take a few weeks to issue, if an administrator within the district is interested in hiring you, we can request a RUSH on your evaluation for the license on your behalf.
- This RUSH can only be sent after you apply for the license/approval in ELIS and have submitted all of the required documentation to the ROE.
- After we request a RUSH, it can take up to a week for the license to be issued. ISBE will send you an automated email when the license/approval has been issued, but we strongly recommend that you check your ELIS account periodically for updates.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY LICENSE ISSUES?
Once your PEL has been issued, you will then need to register it in Kane County (31-KANE ROE) so that your license will be considered valid for employment within our district. For assistance with completing this process, please see the HOW-TO GUIDE.
NOTE:
- The initial registration fee for your license will be $60.00 (fee for current school year and 5 additional years).
- Subsequent renewal/registration fees will be $50.00.
