Licensure

The DuPage Regional Office of Education Licensure Team is happy to assist retired, current, and prospective educators in any way that we can with your licensure needs. We can answer your questions on initial licensure, renewal, professional development requirements, and all other licensure topics. We also act as your link to ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education). In order to better serve you, we have facilitated tabs below with resource links in each category to more efficiently meet your needs.

If at any time, you cannot find the information you need, have any questions, or just want to talk to a licensure specialist, contact us through cert@dupageroe.org or call 630.407.5800. If possible, we ask that you have your IEIN (Illinois Educator Identification Number) ready when you call.

Our Licensure Department also conducts fingerprint-based background checks for DuPage County substitute teachers, contractors, and new employees/student teachers/volunteers for select school districts. Fingerprinting is by appointment only. For more information, please see our Fingerprint/Background check section of this site.

All Illinois educator licensure is online through ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System). Click HERE to sign up for an ELIS account or to log into your existing ELIS account.

Once you have an ELIS account set up, you can access your ISBE record, apply for a credential, add credentials to your existing license, update your contact information, and more.

If you are unsure what to apply for, please call our office and we will assist you in determining the appropriate credential. You can view specific license requirements through the links on the ISBE Resources tab.

Please Note: When a transcript is required, it must be an official transcript. To be considered official, a transcript must arrive at the Regional Office of Education in the institution’s sealed envelope, just as you received it. We cannot accept transcripts that have been opened. Universities can send transcripts directly to our office via mail or electronic transcript service. The university should send all electronic transcripts to transcripts@dupageroe.org. For more information about transcripts please contact our Licensure Department at 630.407.5800.

If your education is from outside the United States, you must have a course-by-course or detailed evaluation completed by an ISBE-approved evaluation company. You can find the current list of evaluation companies HERE.

Resources:

Educator License Information System (ELIS) – All Illinois educator licensure is online through this system. Set up an account or sign in to your existing ELIS account.
Illinois Licensure Requirements – Browse a general overview of all educator licenses/credentials available for application.
Professional Educator License (PEL) – Learn more about obtaining a license for educators who have completed an educator preparation program, either in Illinois, out of state, or outside the US.
Substitute License – Learn more about options for becoming licensed to be a substitute classroom teacher.
Paraprofessional – Learn more about options for becoming credentialed to serve as a paraprofessional, or teacher’s aide.
Adding a Subsequent Endorsement to a PEL – Learn about endorsements that can be added to an existing PEL with a teaching endorsement, and requirements.
ILTS (Illinois Licensure Testing System) – You can search for all Illinois licensure content area tests and find study materials. You will be registering for the tests through this site.
Foreign Credential/Education Evaluation Sources – View the current list of ISBE-approved foreign credential evaluation sources.

Most Illinois educator licenses are renewable in 5-year cycles. The renewal option should be available through your ELIS account beginning April 1 of your renewal year. If you do not see the renewal option, or it is not active at that time, please contact our Licensure Department for guidance.

If your license has lapsed, review the link below for information on options to apply for reinstatement.

Resources:

Resources

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