Illinois State Board of Education
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All individuals enrolled in Illinois educator preparation programs are required to pass an Illinois content test prior to receiving licensure. Below are details about the Illinois Licensure Testing System.

Requirements & Registration

There are three different categories of tests in Illinois: Content Tests, Language Proficiency Tests, and the Teacher Performance Assessment. Register to take tests by visiting the Illinois Licensure Testing System site and clicking "register" at the top of the page.

Visit the Educator Licensure Requirements page and click on the license or credential you seek to see what tests are required.

Content Tests

Educators must pass a content test to qualify for the Professional Educator License (PEL) and many other endorsements and approvals. The content test ensures educators possess adequate subject-matter knowledge for their area of licensure.

Language Proficiency Tests

Educators must pass a target language or English proficiency test to qualify for licenses and endorsements that allow them to teach bilingual education. Language proficiency tests measure an educator's proficiency in a particular language. Tests are available to assess proficiency in English and a variety of other languages.

Teacher Performance Assessment

The teacher performance assessment is waived until September 1, 2029. Illinois will develop and pilot a state-developed teacher performance assessment between 2026 and 2029 (see Public Act 104-0128.)PDF Document

Test Reports

General Assembly Report: IHE Content Test Pass Rates

​ILTS Summary of Aggregate Examinee Performance

Resources for Test Takers

The following resources are available to Illinois test takers:

  • ​Test Frameworks outline the content areas that the test covers. Reviewing the objectives in the framework will give test takers an overview of the material they will need to study to prepare for the test.
  • Study Guides offer test takers an opportunity to review practice questions aligned to the test framework.
  • ILTS Right Start interactive learning courses are self paced learning modules aligned to the content of the tests.
  • Practice Tests​ are provided for free at the time of registration. These tests allow candidates to simulate the test taking experience and practice model test questions.

Resources for Educator Preparation

The following resources are available to educator preparation providers (EPPs):

  • Understanding Test Content​ provides information about how to understand the content of the Illinois Licensure Testing System, including how the tests were developed, what content is measured by each test, and how faculty can assess the alignment of their curricula with the test frameworks.
  • Helping Candidates Prepare provides information and worksheets to help faculty assess candidates' readiness to test and to assist in guiding their test preparation.
  • Interpreting Candidate Test Results provides information about how to interpret test reports; both at the institution level and the individual candidate level.
  • Frequently Asked Questions provides answers to the most commonly asked questions by EPPs.
  • Results Analyzer​ is a data analysis tool available to all EPPs with an ISBE approved educator preparation program. Reach out to your ISBE educator preparation liaison if you need assistance using the tool.

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