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An educator’s license will be in retired status when:

1. The educator draws an annuity from either the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, pursuant to Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code [40 ILCS 5/Art. 16] OR the Public-School Teachers’ Pension and Retirement Fund − Cities Over 500,000 Inhabitants pursuant to Article 17 of the Illinois Pension Code [40 ILCS 5/Art. 17]; AND
2. The educator is no longer working in a position that requires an educator license.

(Note: Educators, regardless of retirement status, who are working in a position that does not require educator licensure or working less than 50% full-time equivalency (FTE) in an Illinois public, charter, or state-operated school, are exempt from license renewal requirements, and the status of their professional development shall be “Exempt.”).

Educators who maintain an Illinois educator license in retired status shall not be required to complete professional development activities. Their PD and employment status must be marked as “Retired.”

Educators who have been retired for a full five-year renewal cycle shall not be required to complete professional development hours and pay registration fees. Their PD and employment status must be marked as “Retired.”

If an educator returns to a position for which educator licensure is required and is reported as working 50% or more full-time equivalency (FTE) by an Illinois public, charter, or state-operated school, that individual shall:

1. Mark their PD/employment status as “Active” rather than “Retired”
2. Complete the professional development required for the endorsement area for each year in which the individual is employed for 50% or more FTE
3. Complete any Administrator Academy courses that may be required

In accordance with Section 21B-45(e)(6) of the School Code, a retired teacher, even if returning to a position that requires educator licensure, shall not be required to pay registration fees.

For any renewal cycle in which a licensee retires during the renewal cycle, the licensee must complete professional development activities on a prorated basis depending on the number of years during the renewal cycle the educator held an active license and then update their PD/employment status to a “Retired” status.

To update your PD/employment status to “Retired,” please refer to our How to Update Your PD/Employment Status guide.

Current Reinstatement Requirements​

1. Complete and record all outstanding professional development and/or Administrator Academy courses​
   
2. Pay all applicable back registration fees at $10/year, and
   
3. One of the following:
• Use nine semester hours of college coursework that has been completed through a regionally accredited institution during the last five fiscal years, OR
• Payment of a $50 reinstatement fee.​​​​​
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