Illinois State Board of Education
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Illinois offers multiple pathways to licensure. To find the route that is best for you, review the options below by choosing the appropriate school support personnel area. View more details about specific requirements in 23 Illinois Administrative Code Subpart D: School Support Personnel.

If you earned credentials at an institution outside the United States, visit the International Resources section of the Educator Licensure Requirements webpage.​

School Social Worker - Pre K - Age 22
Tests ​Internship

School Social Worker (238) or (184)​

Evidence of holding the following active IDFPR license will waive the content test requirement:​

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Educators should email a copy of their IDFPR license to licensureforms@isbe.net and write “Licensure Test Waiver” as the subject of the email. In the body of the email, the educator must include their name, IEIN, and birthday for matching purposes. Note that ISBE will verify your license using IDFPR’s online database.​

 Internship experience of at least 600 contact hours in a school setting.

Specific Requirements:

  • The graduate school of social work must be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
  • 400 hours of field experience supervised by a field instructor holding a master's or higher degree in social work.​

School Counselor - Pre K - Age 22
Tests ​Internship

​​School Counselor (235)

Evidence of holding the following active IDFPR license will waive the content test requirement:​

  • Licensed Clinical Counselor

Educators should email a copy of their IDFPR license to licensureforms@isbe.net and write “Licensure Test Waiver” as the subject of the email. In the body of the email, the educator must include their name, IEIN, and birthday for matching purposes. Note that ISBE will verify your license using IDFPR’s online database.

​Completed an internship of at least 600 clock hours (at least one semester in length) with at least 240 hours of direct service work.

If the applicant has at least two years of teaching experience, the internship requirement is reduced to 400 clock hours with at least 240 hours of direct service work.

Specific Requirements:

  • Each applicant for the school support personnel endorsement for school counselor shall hold a master's or higher degree awarded by a regionally accredited institution of higher education in school counseling.
  • The following coursework is also required as part of the program: structure, organization, and operation of the educational system, with an emphasis on P-12 schools, growth and development of children and youth, diversity of Illinois students and the laws and programs that have been signed to meet their unique needs, and effective management of the classroom and learning process.
  • Completed a supervised counseling practicum of at least 100 clock hours that included at least 40 hours of direct service work.

School Psychologist - Pre K-Age 22
Tests ​Internship

School Psychologist (237)

Evidence of holding one of the following active IDFPR licenses will waive the content test requirement:

  • Clinical Psychologist or
  • Prescribing Psychologist or
  • Prescribing Psychologist-Controlled Substance

Educators should email a copy of their IDFPR license to licensureforms@isbe.net and write “Licensure Test Waiver” as the subject of the email. In the body of the email, the educator must include their name, IEIN, and birthday for matching purposes. Note that ISBE will verify your license using IDFPR’s online database.

 ​​

Completed a supervised field experience of at least 250 hours in a school and/or child student center and a one-year, full-time internship.

Specific Requirements:

  • Requires a master's degree or higher in psychology or educational psychology with a specialization in school psychology.​
  • If a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential is held, no other requirements need to be provided.​​

School Nurse - Pre K - Age 22
​Tests ​Internship

School Nurse ​(236)

Evidence of holding the following active IDFPR license will waive the content test requirement:

  • Registered Professional Nurse

Educators should email a copy of their IDFPR license to licensureforms@isbe.net and write “Licensure Test Waiver” as the subject of the email. In the body of the email, the educator must include their name, IEIN, and birthday for matching purposes. Note that ISBE will verify your license using IDFPR’s online database.

Completed an internship that was determined by the approved program to be sufficient in length for the candidate to meet the standards set forth at 23 Ill. Adm. Code 23.120, but in no case consisted of fewer than 300 hours of experiences and was supervised by a school nurse who holds an endorsement issued under this Section with at least two full school years of full-time experience as a school nurse and at least one full school year of full-time experience with the current employer;

OR​

Completed two years of experience as a school nurse prior to 1972.

Specific Requirements:

  • Requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a license as a registered professional nurse in Illinois.
  • Have completed an Illinois program approved for the preparation of school nurses or comparable approved program in another state or country or hold a comparable certificate or license issued by another state or country.​

Speech-Language Pathologist – Pre-K-Age 22
Tests ​Internship

​Speech-Language Pathologist (232)

Evidence of holding the following non-temporary, active IDFPR license will waive the content test requirement:

  • Speech Language Pathologist

Educators should email a copy of their IDFPR license to licensureforms@isbe.net and write “Licensure Test Waiver” as the subject of the email. In the body of the email, the educator must include their name, IEIN, and birthday for matching purposes. Note that ISBE will verify your license using IDFPR’s online database.

​​150 hours of supervised, school-based professional experience that consists of activities related to aspects of practice addressed in the content-area standard located in 25.250 and 23 Ill. Adm. Code 28 with respect to:

  • planning and intervention,
  • the learning environment,
  • service delivery,
  • professional conduct and ethics, 
  • and facilitation and advocacy.

Specific Notes/Requirements for Options Listed Above:​

  • Option 1:
    • A professional Speech-Language Pathology license can be used as a "valid, out-of-state license" if no educator license is issued by the awarding state.​
  • Option 2:
    • The preparation program must hold accreditation or "accreditation candidate" status issued by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) at the time the applicant completed the program.
    • AND one of the following:
      • Must also hold a Speech-Language Pathology license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR​) (may be a temporary license)
      • A Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA, AND proof of application for the IDFPR license AND an out-of-state license for speech language pathology.
  • Option 3:
    • If you hold a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA and an Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) license, you may obtain your PEL​.​
Option 1

Valid, Comparable Out-of-State License

If you hold a comparable certificate or license issued by another state, submit the following:

  • A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license
  • An official transcript, from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, showing a master's degree or higher in social work
  • Evidence of passing the applicable content test(s)
    • Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content. Please complete and submit ISBE Form 77-41BPDF Document. Note that you must also submit a copy of your test score to the email address provided on the form.
    • If you are taking the Illinois content test, register here and select the School Social Worker (238) test.
    • Educators who hold specific, valid (active) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses qualify for a waiver of the Illinois licensure content test in the same content area. Refer to the chart below.
Option 2

Approved Program in Another State

If you have completed a comparable approved program in another state, submit the following.

  • An official transcript, from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, showing a master's degree or higher in social work with a specialization in school social work awarded by a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
  • Proof of completing a comparable program in another state. Use ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document.
  • Internship or equivalent experience, which shall be verified on ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document
  • Evidence of passing the applicable content test(s)
    • Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content. The test used for initial licensure in another state will be verified on ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document. Note that you must also submit a copy of your test score to the email address provided on the form.
    • If you are taking the Illinois content test, register here and select the School Social Worker (238) test. Your score will be submitted to ISBE.
    • Educators who hold specific, valid (active) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses qualify for a waiver of the Illinois licensure content test in the same content area. Refer to the chart below.
Option 3

Illinois Educator Preparation Program

If you completed an educator preparation program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure coursework and other requirements of their program are met. Refer to the chart below for degree, internship, and test requirements.

Degree Internship/Supervised Field Experience Required? Test(s)
A master's or higher degree in social work Yes School Social Worker (238)

Find which Illinois institutions offer approved preparation programs

TEST WAIVER APPLICABLE

IDFPR License Exemption

Holding an active version of the following license waives the Illinois licensure content test (238) requirement:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
How to Submit Your Waiver:

Email a clear copy of your active IDFPR license toLicensureForms@isbe.net​ using the exact formatting details below. ISBE will cross-verify using the online database system.

Subject Line:
Licensure Test Waiver
Email Body:
Full Name, IEIN, Date of Birth
Option 1

Valid, Comparable Out-of-State License

If you hold a comparable certificate or license issued by another state, submit the following:

  • A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license
  • An official transcript showing a master's degree or higher in school counseling or a related school counseling field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • Evidence of passing the applicable content test(s)
    • Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content. Please complete and submit ISBE Form 77-41BPDF Document. Note that you must also submit a copy of your test score to the email address provided on the form.
    • If you are taking the Illinois content test, register here and select the School Counselor (235) test. Your score will be submitted to ISBE.
    • Educators who hold specific, valid (active) [CP4.1]Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses qualify for a waiver of the Illinois licensure content test in the same content area. Refer to the chart below.
Option 2

Approved Program in Another State

If you have completed a comparable approved program in another state, submit the following.

  • An official transcript showing a master's degree or higher in school counseling or a related school counseling field from regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • Proof of completing a comparable program in another state. Use ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document.
  • Internship or equivalent experience, which shall be verified on ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document
  • Evidence of passing the applicable content test(s)
    • Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content. The test used for initial licensure in another state will be verified on ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document. Note that you must also submit a copy of your test score to the email address provided on the form
    • If you are taking the Illinois content test, register here and select the School Counselor (235) test​. Your score will be submitted to ISBE.
    • Educators who hold specific, valid (active) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses qualify for a waiver of the Illinois licensure content test in the same content area. Refer to the chart below.
Option 3

Illinois Educator Preparation Program

If you completed an educator preparation program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure coursework and other requirements of their program are met. Specific courses are required as part of this approved program (refer to 23 Illinois Administrative Code Section 25.225). Refer to the chart below for degree, internship, and test requirements.

Degree Internship/Supervised Field Experience Required? Test(s)
A master's or higher degree in school counseling or a related school counseling field Yes School Counselor (235)

Find which Illinois institutions offer approved preparation programs

TEST WAIVER APPLICABLE

IDFPR License Exemption

Holding an active version of the following license waives the Illinois licensure content test (235) requirement:

Licensed Counselor
How to Submit Your Waiver:

Email a clear copy of your active IDFPR license to LicensureForms@isbe.net using the exact formatting details below. ISBE will cross-verify using the online database system.

Subject Line:
Licensure Test Waiver
Email Body:
Full Name, IEIN, Date of Birth
Option 1

Valid, Comparable Out-of-State License

If you hold a comparable certificate or license issued by another state, submit the following:

  • A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license
  • An official transcript showing a master's degree or higher in psychology or educational psychology with a specialization in school psychology from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • Evidence of passing the applicable content test(s)
    • Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content. Please complete and submit ISBE Form 77-41BPDF Document. Note that you must also submit a copy of your test score to the email address provided on the form.
    • If you are taking the Illinois content test, register here and select the School Psychologist (237) test. Your score will be submitted to ISBE.
    • Educators who hold specific, valid (active) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses qualify for a waiver of the Illinois licensure content test in the same content area. Refer to the chart below.
Option 2

Approved Program in Another State

If you have completed a comparable approved program in another state, submit the following.

  • An official transcript showing a master's degree or higher in psychology or educational psychology with a specialization in school psychology from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • Proof of completing a comparable program in another state. Use ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document.
  • Internship or equivalent experience, which shall be verified on ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document
  • Evidence of passing the applicable content test(s)
    • Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content. The test used for initial licensure in another state will be verified on ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document. Note that you must also submit a copy of your test score to the email address provided on the form.
    • If you are taking the Illinois content test, register here and select the School Psychologist (237) test​. Your score will be submitted to ISBE.
    • Educators who hold specific, valid (active) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses qualify for a waiver of the Illinois licensure content test in the same content area. Refer to the chart below.
Option 3

Illinois Educator Preparation Program

If you completed an educator preparation program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure coursework and other requirements of their program are met. Refer to the chart below for degree, internship, and test requirements.

Degree Internship/
Supervised Field Experience Required?		 Test(s)
A master's or higher degree in psychology or educational psychology with a specialization in school psychology Yes School
Psychologist (237)

Find which Illinois institutions offer approved preparation programs

Option 4

Nationally Certified School Psychologist

An individual who holds a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential issued by the National Association of School Psychologists that allows the holder to work as a school psychologist in public schools may qualify for a school support endorsement for school psychologist.

Email a copy of the NCSP license to LicensureForms@isbe.net.

  • Email subject line: NCSP License
  • Body of the email must include: Full Name, IEIN

TEST WAIVER APPLICABLE

IDFPR License Exemption

Holding an active version of the following license waives the Illinois licensure content test (237) requirement:

Clinical Psychologist
How to Submit Your Waiver:

Email a clear copy of your active IDFPR license to LicensureForms@isbe.net using the exact formatting details below. ISBE will cross-verify using the online database system.

Subject Line:
Licensure Test Waiver
Email Body:
Full Name, IEIN, Date of Birth
Option 1

Valid, Comparable Out-of-State License

If you hold a comparable certificate or license issued by another state, submit the following:

  • A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license
  • A copy of your valid, Registered Professional Nurse license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
  • An official transcript showing a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • Your valid, Registered Professional Nurse license from IDFPR will waive the content test requirement.
Option 2

Approved Program in Another State

If you have completed a comparable approved program in another state, submit the following.

  • An official transcript showing a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • A copy of your valid, Registered Professional Nurse license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
  • Proof of completing a comparable program in another state. Use ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document.
  • Internship or equivalent experience, which shall be verified on ISBE Form 77-41A​PDF Document
  • Your valid, Registered Professional Nurse license from IDFPR will waive the content test requirement.
Option 3

Illinois Educator Preparation Program

If you are completing an educator preparation program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure coursework and other requirements of their program are met.

Degree Internship/Supervised Field Experience Required? Test(s)
Must be licensed as a registered professional nurse in Illinois under the Nurse Practice Act [225 ILCS 65]
A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education Yes School Nurse (236)

Find which Illinois institutions offer approved preparation programs

TEST WAIVER APPLICABLE

IDFPR License Exemption

Holding an active version of the following license waives the Illinois licensure content test (236) requirement:

Registered Professional Nurse
How to Submit Your Waiver:

Email a clear copy of your active IDFPR license to LicensureForms@isbe.net using the exact formatting details below. ISBE will cross-verify using the online database system.

Subject Line:
Licensure Test Waiver
Email Body:
Full Name, IEIN, Date of Birth
Option 1

Valid, Comparable Out-of-State License

If you hold a comparable certificate or license issued by another state, submit the following:

  • A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license*
  • An official transcript showing a master's or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • Evidence of passing the applicable content test(s)
    • Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content. Please complete and submit ISBE Form 77-41BPDF Document. Note that you must also submit a copy of your test score to the email address provided on the form.
    • If you are taking the Illinois content test, register here and select the Speech - Language Pathologist (232) test​. Your test score will be submitted to ISBE.
    • Educators who hold specific, valid (active) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses qualify for a waiver of the Illinois licensure content test in the same content area. Refer to the chart below.

*In lieu of a license, applicants may provide evidence of completing at least 150 clock hours of supervised experience in speech language pathology with students with disabilities in a school setting (refer to Section 5/14-1.09[b][3] of the School Code.)​​​​​​

Option 2

Approved Program in Another State

If you have completed a comparable approved program in another state, submit the following.

  • An official transcript showing a master's or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology earned through completion of a program that meets the requirements of Section 14-1.09b(b)(2) of the School Code.
    • Courses of study or programs must hold accreditation or "accreditation candidate" status issued by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at the time the applicant completed the program.
  • A copy of one of the following:
    1. Your regular license as a Speech-Language Pathologist pursuant to the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, or
    2. A current Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a regular license in speech-language pathology from another state or territory or the District of Columbia and proof of applying for a regular license as a speech-language pathologist pursuant to the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, or
    3. Proof of holding of applying for a temporary license pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act.
  • Proof of completing a comparable program in another state. Use ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document.*
    • Courses of study or programs must hold accreditation or "accreditation candidate" status issued by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at the time the applicant completed the program.
    *In lieu of a program, applicants may provide evidence of completing at least 150 clock hours of supervised experience in speech language pathology with students with disabilities in a school setting (refer to Section 5/14-1.09[b][3] of the School Code.)
  • Internship or equivalent experience, which shall be verified on ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document
  • Evidence of passing the applicable content test(s)
    • Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content at the time of initial licensure in another state are not required to complete a test of content. The test used for initial licensure in another state will be verified on ISBE Form 77-41APDF Document. Note that you must also submit a copy of your test score to the email address provided on the form.
    • If you are taking the Illinois content test, register here and select the Speech Language Pathologist (232) test​. Your score will be submitted to ISBE.
    • Educators who hold specific, valid (active) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses qualify for a waiver of the Illinois licensure content test in the same content area. Refer to the chart below.
Option 3

Illinois Educator Preparation Program

If you are completing an educator preparation program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure coursework and other requirements of their program are met.*

Degree Internship/
Supervised Field Experience Required?		 Test(s)
Master's degree or higher in speech-language pathology earned through completion of a program that meets the requirements of Section 14-1.09b(b)(2) of the School Code Yes Speech-Language Pathologist (232)

One of the following:

  1. A regular license for Speech Language Pathologist pursuant to the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, or
  2. A current Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a regular license in speech-language pathology from another state or territory or the District of Columbia and proof of applying for a regular license as a speech-language pathologist pursuant to the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, or
  3. Proof of holding or applying for a temporary license pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act.

*In lieu of a program, applicants may provide evidence of completing at least 150 clock hours of supervised experience in speech language pathology with students with disabilities in a school setting (refer to Section 5/14-1.09[b][3] of the School Code.)

Clinical Fellowship: After completing educator preparation program coursework, an individual may be issued a temporary license by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) pursuant to the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, which authorizes the individual to undertake supervised professional experience as a speech language pathologist (refer to 225 ILCS 110/8.1). An individual may complete the required Clinical Fellowship experience in a school district as long as the individual is supervised by a fully licensed speech-language pathologist. Additionally, an individual with a temporary IDFPR license in speech-language pathology may receive an ISBE license if the individual completes the requirements outlined in Section 252 of Part 25 of the Illinois Administrative Code, which includes passage of the content area test.

Find which Illinois institutions offer approved preparation programs

Option 4

CCC and IDFPR License

If you hold a Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a regular Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) license for Speech Language Pathologist, you may obtain your PEL.

TEST WAIVER APPLICABLE

IDFPR License Exemption

Holding an active version of the following license waives the Illinois licensure content test (232) requirement:

Speech Language Pathologist (temporary license is not acceptable)
How to Submit Your Waiver:

Email a clear copy of your active IDFPR license to LicensureForms@isbe.net using the exact formatting details below. ISBE will cross-verify using the online database system.

Subject Line:
Licensure Test Waiver
Email Body:
Full Name, IEIN, Date of Birth
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