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Illinois offers multiple pathways to licensure. To find the route that best suites you, please review the options below.

Option 1: Reciprocity

Did you complete an approved out-of-state educator preparation program and become licensed in that state? You can qualify for the Illinois PEL by submitting the following documents:

  • A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license
  • A master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education

Option 2: ISBE 80-02

Did you complete an approved out-of-state educator preparation program but did not become licensed in that state? You must meet the following requirements to obtain the IL PEL:

  • A master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
  • Completion of a preparation program in the field of specialization (e.g. superintendent) (Form 80-02: State-Approved Program and Completion of Standards VerificationPDF Document must be submitted to ISBE)
  • Internship or equivalent experience
  • Completion of coursework* addressing methods of teaching exceptional children, reading methods, content area reading, and methods of teaching English language learners (Use form 80-02: State-Approved Program and Completion of Standards VerificationPDF Document​
  • Licensure Tests: All test scores are valid indefinitely. View the options below to see the required tests for each area. Click here to register for the tests. If out-of-state test scores were completed, copies of the test scores must be submitted per the ISBE 80-02 form.
  • Additional requirements: View required experience and specific requirements for each area in 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 their specific requirements are met.

The menus below indicate the Illinois educator preparation program type and corresponding licensure tests.

Chief School Business Official (CSBO) - Pre-K - Age 22
Tests Requirements
CSBO (224) ​ONE of the following options:
  • Option 1
    • Master's degree or higher
    • Two years of full-time administrative experience in school business management or two years of university-approved practical experience. 
    • 24 semester hours of​ graduate coursework in a program approved for the preparation of school business officials Form 80-02: State-Approved Program and Completion of Standards VerificationPDF Document must be submitted to ISBE
  • Option 2
    • Master's in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or Accounting 
    • 6 semester hours of CSBO Internship (see specific requirements below)
  • Option 3
    • Master's in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or Accounting
    • Internship in School Business Management or have 2 years of experience as a school business administrator
    • Complete modules in reading methods, special education, and ESL

Specific Requirements:

  • ​Option Two’s internship requirement must be completed in school business management from a regionally accredited institution of higher education that is conducted under the supervision of an individual who holds a current Illinois endorsement for CSBO or who serves as the school district’s chief financial officer. (Section 25.345 (c)) ​

Director of Special Education - Pre-K - Age 22
Tests ​Experience
Director of Special Education (234) or (180)​ ​2 years' full-time experience providing special education services as a:
  • special education teacher;
  • speech-language pathologist;
  • school counselor;
  • school nurse;
  • school social worker; ​or
  • school psychologist

Specific Requirements:

Option 1:

  • Completion of an approved program for directors of special education that includes a minimum of one course in each of the following: special education law, special education finance, supervision of programs for children with disabilities, and cross-categorical special education methods.

Option 2:

  • Hold a professional educator license endorsed in an administrative field and complete 30 semester hours of coursework in special education with at least one course in special education law, special education finance, supervision of programs for children with disabilities, and cross-categorical special education methods. The remainder if the 30 semester hours of coursework may be in any of the following areas: curricular adaptation and modifications and assistive technology, facilitation of least restrictive environment for all students, characteristics of students with disabilities, collaboration with parents and school personnel, transition services for students with disabilities, and educational and psychological diagnosis and remedial techniques.​

Principal - Pre-K - Age 22
Tests ​Experience
Principal as an Instructional Leader (195 & 196) ​4 years of teaching or school support personnel experience​

Specific Requirements:

Educators enrolled in Illinois principal preparation programs must complete Administrator Academy 2001 “Illinois Performance Evaluation – Initial Teacher Evaluation Training”.​​

Superintendent - Pre-K - Age 22
Tests ​Experience
​Superintendent (225) ​2 years of experience working full time as a principal, director of special education, or chief school business official, or other administrative position while holding a valid administrator license.​

Specific Requirements:

Administrators enrolled in Illinois superintendent preparation programs must complete Administrator Academy 2000 “Illinois Performance Evaluation – Initial Principal Evaluation Training”.

Teacher Leader - Pre-K - Age 22
Tests ​Experience
​Not applicable Not applicable

Specific Requirements:

View the Directory of Approved Programs to see approved teacher leader programs in Illinois.

  • Approved Program / Entitlement Only​

​​*View a list of acceptable courses you may take to fulfill this coursework requirement.​

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