Loading...
Loading...
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Illinois
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Illinois. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Primary Exam
Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) - Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)
Total Gov Fees
$700–$735
Initial Cert
5 years
| Requirement | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education | Verified |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Verified |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required | Verified |
| Student Teaching | Required | Verified |
| Background Check | Required | Verified |
| Fingerprinting | Required | |
| GPA Requirement | 3.0 cumulative or 3.0 in content area (for some programs) | Verified |
| Minimum Age | 20 | Verified |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. | Verified |
Not sure if you need a teacher license? Check whether your state requires one.
basic skills
Passing score: 240 composite score
Basic skills assessment covering reading, language arts, writing, and mathematics. ACT Plus Writing score of 22 or SAT score of 1110 may be accepted in lieu of TAP.
content knowledge
Passing score: 240 (varies by subject area)
Subject-specific content knowledge exam required for the endorsement area.
pedagogy
Passing score: Varies by subject area (typically 32–39 depending on handbook)
Performance-based assessment of teaching effectiveness completed during student teaching. Required for initial PEL in Illinois.
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the Praxis.
Overall licensing difficulty: 23/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Praxis Teacher Certification Exams
Browse study guides
Teacher Exam Prep Books
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic Praxis Teacher Certification Exams practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) - Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)
Passing Score
240 composite score
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $540–$575Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) - Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP).
Matched study materials
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Praxis Core Academic Skills
Prepare for your Praxis Core Academic Skills with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Illinois issues the PEL as the standard teaching license. It is the primary license required to teach in Illinois public schools. Valid for 5 years and renewable.
Issued to educators who have met some but not all requirements for the PEL, or who are in alternative certification programs. Includes provisional, alternative provisional, and visiting international educator endorsements.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree (for Substitute Teaching License); or a valid Illinois PEL or ELS
Certificate Required
Substitute Teaching License or Short-Term Substitute Teaching License
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$50
Validity
5 years
Illinois requires a Substitute Teaching License to serve as a substitute. The standard Substitute Teaching License requires a bachelor's degree. A Short-Term Substitute Teaching License (for 5 or fewer consecutive days) requires 60 semester hours of college credit. Both require a background check. Holders of an active PEL or ELS may substitute without an additional license.
| Fee | Amount | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Application FeePEL application fee | $100 | Verified |
| Fingerprint FeeIllinois State Police and FBI fingerprint processing fee | $60 | Verified |
| Exam Fees (Total)Includes TAP ($120), ILTS Content Area ($120–$155), and edTPA ($300). Varies by endorsement area. | $540–$575 | Verified |
| Initial Certificate | $100 | Verified |
| Renewal FeePEL renewal fee | $50 | Verified |
| Substitute PermitSubstitute Teaching License fee | $50 | Verified |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees. Actual total depends on specific exams required. | $700–$735 | Verified |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Graduate from an Illinois-approved or CAEP/AAQEP-accredited teacher preparation program.
Pass the TAP (basic skills), ILTS content area test, and edTPA.
Fee: $540–$575
Submit fingerprints for Illinois State Police and FBI background checks.
Fee: $60
Create an account on the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) and submit the PEL application with official transcripts, test scores, and entitlement from the preparation program.
Fee: $100
After receiving the PEL, register it with the Regional Office of Education (ROE) in the county where you will be employed.
Registration with the ROE is required before you can be employed as a teacher.
Illinois offers multiple alternative certification pathways through the Educator License with Stipulations (ELS). Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree, pass the ILTS content area test, and enroll in an approved alternative preparation program. The alternative provisional educator endorsement allows teaching while completing requirements. Programs like Teach For America and Golden Apple Accelerators provide structured pathways for career changers.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
120
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Illinois requires 120 Professional Development Hours (PDH) or the equivalent for renewal of the PEL every 5 years. One semester hour of college credit equals 15 PDH. Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) are also accepted. Teachers must also maintain compliance with district-level professional development requirements.
Browse Teacher study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Illinois evaluates out-of-state licenses on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must hold a valid, comparable license from another state, pass the ILTS content area test for their endorsement, and complete a background check.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must pass the ILTS content area test, complete an Illinois-specific background check, and may need to pass the TAP basic skills test. U.S. Constitution and Illinois Constitution coursework may be required.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Illinois with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Unique to Illinois: Illinois is notable for requiring that teaching licenses be registered with the Regional Office of Education in the county where the teacher will work. The state also has a unique requirement for coursework covering the U.S. Constitution, Illinois Constitution, and flag protocol. Illinois uses its own testing system (ILTS) and was an early adopter of the edTPA performance assessment.
Teacher requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Illinois
See how Illinois compares: Teacher License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare teacher requirements across all states →
Teacher licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure teacher is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Illinois compare to other states for teacher? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your teacher license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
Teacher Schools in Illinois
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
Teacher requirements in Illinois verified against Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), March 2026.
Moving to Illinois? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Teacher license to Illinois →
Transfer your Teacher license from Illinois to: Indiana → | Iowa → | Kentucky → | Missouri → | Wisconsin →
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.