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Requirements​

You must meet one of the following options:

Option 1:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
• Submit a substitute teaching application in ELIS

Option 2:

• Actively enrolled in an approved educator preparation program through a regionally accredited institution in Illinois
  
• Have recently completed (within the last semester) at least 90 semester hours of coursework as a part of the approved Illinois educator preparation program
• Transfer coursework may be used towards the 90 semester hours if accepted by the Illinois educator preparation program
• Have a Professional Educator License in pre-completion status on your ELIS account
• Submit a substitute teaching application in ELIS

*Notes: 

• Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of public school PK-22.
  
• Substitute licenses are valid for 5 years, and may be renewed with the payment of registration fees.
• Cannot teach more than 90 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher in the same school year.
• A substitute teacher who holds a Professional Educator License cannot teach more than 120 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher in the same school year.
• View Substitute and Paraprofessional License Checklist​
• ​How to Become a Substitute Teacher?​

If I hold a valid Professional Educator License, Educator License with Stipulations or Paraprofessional License, am I qualified to be a substitute teacher?

If you hold a valid professional educator license, educator license with stipulations or paraprofessional license and hold a bachelor’s degree, you are qualified to be a substitute teacher. You do not need to hold a substitute teaching license.

If you hold an Illinois Substitute License and a bachelor’s degree, you are qualified to serve as a Paraprofessional without holding a separate ELS-Paraprofessional credential.

Can I obtain a substitute license if my PEL is lapsed?

Yes.​​​

Public Act 103-0111, effective immediately, extends the availability of the short-term substitute teacher license through June 30, 2028. Educators who currently hold short-term substitute teaching licenses with an expiration date of June 30, 2023, can renew the license for a five-year period by logging into their Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) accounts on or after July 1, 2023, and clicking on the “Renewals” link in their Action Center.

Requirements

1. Must hold an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or show completion of 60 semester hours of coursework.
   

*Notes: 

• Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of public school PK-22.​
  
• Available for application through June 30, 2028.
• Short-term Substitute Licenses are valid for 5 years.
• Cannot teach more than 5 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher in the same school year unless the state has a declared a disaster proclamation in which the short-term substitute may serve 15 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher in the same school year.
  
• Must complete a training program provided by the school board.​
  
• Can​ serve as a Paraprofessional​.
  
• Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher fro​m a regionally accredited college or university.
  
• How to Become a Substitute Teacher?​
  ​
  

​All districts utilizing short-term substitute teachers must provide the teachers with a training prior to employment. Below are sample trainings and resources developed jointly by IARSS, IFT, and IEA that districts may utilize or use as samples when developing their own training.

• Introductory Letter​
• ABC's of Professionalism
• Training Plan Short-Term Substitute
  
• Short-Term Sub Training Agreement
• KWL Chart
• Sample Lesson Plan Templates
• Short-Term Substitute Training
• Checklist​​​