PRIORITY Processing of Applications for Certificates and Endorsements

The Educator Certification Department has an established procedure to help districts fill positions and candidates gain employment on a priority rush basis.

An application qualifies for priority processing if two (2) conditions are met:

• The applicant has submitted all applicable fees, applications, and documents to the appropriate ROE and has a reasonable expectation that he or she is qualified for the credential; AND
  
  
• The applicant must receive the credential in order to be employed.

Priority processing may be requested only through a Regional Superintendent (in Chicago, the Human Resource Department of Chicago Public Schools). A local district or a teacher candidate may request that the ROE (or CPS) send priority notification to the State Board of Education.  The regional superintendent will determine the validity of the request and then submit a completed priority rush form to the State Board. ISBE Educator Certification staff will process priority applications within two weeks (10 working days).

Note: Applicants should contact their ROE, not the Springfield ISBE office, for information about their application. ISBE's Springfield office does not have sufficient staff to assist applicants individually.