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If you hold a valid, comparable out of state license:
  • A copy of your valid, comparable out of state license
  • A master's ​degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education

If you do not have a valid, comparable out of state license:​

  • 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 Verification​PDF 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 Verification​PDF 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.
  • Additional requirements: View required experience and specific requirements for each area in the chart below.

If completing a program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure their specific requirements/timeframes are met.

 Chief School Business Official (CSBO) - Pre K - Grade 12
​​
Tests
 Requirements
  • ​A test of basic skills**
  • CSBO (185)
​ONE of the following options:
  • Option 1
  • 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 (offered through Nothern Illinois University)
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 - Grade 12
​​
​Tests
 ​Experience
  • ​A test of basic skills**
  • Director of Special Education (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.
    • ​Additional requirements listed at the top of the page are not required for Option 2

 Principal - Pre K - Grade 12
​
Tests​​
 ​Experience
  • ​A test of basic skills**
  • Principal as an Instructional Leader (195 & 196)
 ​4 years of teaching or school support personnel experience
Specific Requirements:
Not Applicable

 Superintendent - Pre K - Grade 12
​​
​Tests
 ​Experience 
  • ​A test of basic skills**
  • Superintendent (187)​
    • New Test - 225 (Available 1/22/18)
​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

​

 Teacher Leader - Pre K - Grade 12
​
Tests​​
 ​Experience
  • ​A test of basic skills**
  • ​​Not applicable

Specific Requirements:
View the Directory of Approved Programs to see approved teacher leader programs in Illinois.
  • Approved Program / Entitlement Only
    ​

​​*To see a list of acceptable courses you may take to fulfill this coursework requirement, click here.​

**The test of basic skills is only required for the issuance of a PEL.  Educators who hold a valid PEL and have already taken a test of basic skills will not be required to take another.  If a test of basic skills has already been passed and used for issuance for the PEL, this requirement will be waived.  This is only required if a passing score on a test of basic skills was NOT already used for issuance of the PEL.

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