Illinois teaching licensure runs through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which issues the Professional Educator License (PEL) with specific endorsements. This guide walks you through the education, testing, and application requirements, including the current suspension of the edTPA performance assessment.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with ISBE before applying.
Quick Overview
- AuthorityISBE
- DegreeBachelor's Min.
- Testing SystemILTS (Pearson)
- edTPA StatusSuspended
Figures come from official sources and can change. Always confirm with the licensing authority before applying.
3 Steps to Licensure
- 1
Meet the requirements
Requirements for the Illinois Professional Educator License include:
- A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
- Completion of an ISBE-approved educator preparation program.
- Passage of required licensure testing, historically including a basic-skills gate and a content-area test specific to your endorsement (edTPA is currently suspended).
- Application through the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
As of January 1, 2026, ISBE requires candidates to register through the ILTS system, and reciprocity or out-of-state applicants must also pass the applicable Illinois content test for each endorsement sought.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with ISBE before applying.
- 2
Submit your application
The application process for the Illinois Professional Educator License typically involves these steps:
- Complete a bachelor's degree and an ISBE-approved educator preparation program.
- Register for and pass required ILTS testing: historically a basic-skills gate (or accepted ACT/SAT substitute) plus a content-area test for your endorsement.
- Apply for your PEL through the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
Steps can change, so verify the current process directly with ISBE before applying.
- 3
Pass the teaching exam
Illinois testing runs through the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS), administered by Pearson. Historically this includes a Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) or an accepted substitute (ACT composite of 22 or higher with a writing score of 6, or SAT composite of 1110 or higher meeting specific section minimums), plus a content-area test specific to your endorsement. The edTPA performance assessment is currently suspended under Public Act 103-0488, first through August 31, 2025, while ISBE develops a state-built teacher performance assessment; this is time-boxed relief, not permanent elimination. Always confirm the current edTPA status and any other testing requirements directly on isbe.net before registering, since this is a moving target.
License Types
Professional Educator License (PEL)
The standard Illinois teaching license, issued with specific endorsements.
- Statewide license
- ILTS testing required
Details
Experience
Illinois' PEL is not structured as a separate short-term license before a longer professional license the way some states structure teacher licensure; instead ISBE issues the PEL directly with endorsements once education and testing requirements are met. Confirm directly on isbe.net whether any post-licensure induction or mentoring period applies to your specific endorsement, since this detail is not fully documented here.
Details
Fees
Current PEL application and endorsement fees are not confirmed on a single official isbe.net page. Confirm current fees directly through the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) before applying.
Details
Renewal
Confirm the current PEL renewal cycle and continuing education or professional development hour requirements directly on isbe.net. This detail is not fully verified in ExamsLib's research and should not be assumed to match other states' renewal cycles. Always confirm current renewal requirements with ISBE before your renewal deadline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard Illinois teaching license called?
The Professional Educator License (PEL), issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). It is issued with specific endorsements rather than separate license tiers.
Is edTPA required to get an Illinois teaching license?
Not currently. Public Act 103-0488 suspended the edTPA requirement, first through August 31, 2025, while ISBE develops a state-built teacher performance assessment. This is a suspension, not a permanent elimination; confirm the current status and end date directly on isbe.net.
What tests do Illinois teacher candidates take?
Historically, candidates take Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) tests administered by Pearson: a basic-skills test (Test of Academic Proficiency, or an accepted ACT/SAT substitute) and a content-area test specific to the endorsement sought.
Does Illinois have a separate initial teaching license before the full license?
No, not in the way some other states structure a short-term Resident license before a Professional license. ISBE issues the Professional Educator License directly with endorsements once education and testing requirements are met; confirm any post-licensure induction requirements directly on isbe.net.
What do out-of-state teachers need for Illinois reciprocity?
Out-of-state licensed teachers apply through ISBE's reciprocity pathway. As of January 1, 2026, reciprocity applicants must also pass the applicable Illinois content test for each endorsement sought. Confirm the current process directly on isbe.net.
