Licensure

Paraprofessional

A Paraprofessional (teacher’s aide) is a paid instructional assistant supervised by a licensed teacher, called the ELS-PARA (educator license with stipulation- Paraprofessional)

Paraprofessionals play an essential role within school districts. Under the supervision of a licensed teacher, a paraprofessional supports teachers and students in many ways.

For instance, a paraprofessional can tutor students or assist the teacher with managing the classroom and organizing instructional materials. What is a Paraprofessional?

Requirements for the ELS-PARA

1. Be at least 19 years of age to teach Pre-K- 12th grade. Age 18 may qualify with the same requirements but is only certified to serve Pre-K-8th grade.
2. Show proof of one (1) of the following requirements:
   • Associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or
   • 60 semester hours of non-remedial coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or
   • High School Diploma or High School Equivalency and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS ParaPro test; or
   • High School Diploma or High School Equivalency and the following scores on the ACT WorkKeys tests
   • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math - 4
   • Reading for Information or Workplace Documents - 4
3. At this time, $100 plus processing fee to apply and $30 plus processing fee to register

***Refer to Educator License with Stipulations Endorsement Requirements ***

The following websites contain information on the Paraprofessional test options:

• ACT WorkKeys - Information for ACT WorkKeys testing offered by Joliet Junior College.
• Educational Testing Service ETS

How to Apply for the Paraprofessional License

1. Create an ELIS account How to create an ELIS account
2. Apply for the Paraprofessional License How to apply for the Paraprofessional license
3. Submit required documentation to Yola Bzdyk at ybzdyk@willroe.org

How to Submit Required Documentation

1. We accept official transcripts from regionally accredited college/universities by email or postal mail.
   • A paper transcript is considered official if it is still sealed in the envelope as prepared by the college Registrar.
   • Electronic transcripts are acceptable if they are addressed to the ROE and sent directly from the registrar or the registrar company. Yola Bzdyk at ybzdyk@willroe.org
   • The ELS-PARA application instructs individuals to send official transcripts directly to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Be aware that official transcripts can also be submitted to the ROE.
   • We cannot accept copies of physical transcripts or forwarded electronic copies through email. Official transcripts already on file in ELIS do not need to be re-submitted. Please contact Dinora Ruiz Jr. to verify.
2. If submitting test results, they can be submitted by mail, or email to Dinora Ruiz Jr.
   • Official Educational Testing Service (ETS) Score Report or Official ACT WorkKeys Score Report
3. Copies of a High School Diploma or High School Equivalency are not required to be submitted officially. But must be sent in PDF format.

My certificate was issued! What next?

Once the license has been issued, log into your ELIS account and register in Will County and/or any county within Illinois that you will be serving. ($30 for the first county selected. Additional fee per each county added).

How to register license

Do I receive an official certificate?

The only license verification individuals can print is a screenshot of the Credential page of the Educator Licensure Information System(ELIS) account. ISBE no longer issues printable certificates.

Do I need to hold a PARA certificate if I am licensed with ISBE in another area?

If you hold the following licenses you may work as a PARA without the (ELS) PARA certificate

1. Substitute license
2. Professional Educator License (PEL)
3. An Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) with any of the following endorsements:
   • Provisional educator (any grade level or subject);
   • Provisional alternative educator (any grade level or subject);
   • Transitional bilingual educator;
   • Career and technical educator (not, however, provisional career and technical educator);
   • Visiting international educator (any grade level or subject);
   • Resident teacher (any grade level or subject);
   • Short-Term Substitute License
   • Paraprofessional educator

*Short-term PARA License*

ISBE has issued a short-term approval for the PARA certificate for those currently working toward a full PARA certification. It is valid for 3 years and non-renewable.

Requirements:

1. 19 yrs. of age
2. High School diploma or equivalency

***While working on the approval, educator must be fulfilling requirements for the full license.

How to apply for the Short-term Paraprofessional

***Please be aware that, for various reasons, some school districts may go above the state and not accepts the Short-term Para approval certificate***

Obtain a Substitute License

Requirements for Substitute licensure:

1. Bachelors degree or higher from a Higher Education regionally accredited institution.
2. Enrolled in an Illinois approved educator preparation program and have completed 90 semester hours of coursework.

• See Short-term Substitute for further Substitute licensure options

Become a Substitute Teacher

Step 1: Apply for the Substitute License

1. Create an ELIS account
2. Apply for SUB license
3. Submit official transcripts sealed to Yola Bzdyk at ybzdyk@willroe.org or ISBE**

*You will be notified by Yola when transcripts have been received and have been uploaded onto your ELIS account. If you have requested transcripts be sent to Yola, and have not heard back after 3 business days please contact Yola for the status of your transcript retrieval.

**The ROE has no access to transcripts sent to ISBE.

How do I send transcripts?

Transcripts may be sent via email or postal mail.

A paper transcript is considered official if it is still sealed in the envelope as prepared by the college Registrar. ISBE and the ROE will accept electronic transcripts from reputable sources such as E-script IF you request that the electronic transcript be e-mailed directly to Yola Bzdyk at ybzdyk@willroe.org. We cannot accept electronic transcripts that are copies of what you received. Official transcripts already on file in ELIS do not need to be re-submitted.

Step 2: Register License

Log into your ELIS account and register the SUB license in Will ROE 56. You may register in multiple counties in Illinois at any time. How to register SUB license

Step 3: Contact potential employing school districts for background check/fingerprinting instruction

Click here for sub-authorization packet and fingerprinting.

Will I receive a paper copy or official certificate?

Since Illinois moved to licensure in 2013, ISBE no longer issues a paper or electronic version of a license. The only verification individuals can print is a screenshot of the Credential page of the ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System) account.

Licensed Substitute Teachers are qualified to work as Paraprofessionals.

Obtain Short-Term Substitute License (STS) Extension

*The application is now available through June 30, 2028*

Short-Term Substitute Teacher License:

Requirements *Must complete a training program provided by the school board.

One of the following:

1. Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
2. Completion of 60 semester hours of non-remedial coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

How to become an STS

Step 1: Apply for the STS License

1. Create an ELIS account
2. Apply for STS license
3. Submit official transcripts sealed to Yola Bzdyk atybzdyk@willroe.org or ISBE**

*You will be notified by Yola when transcripts have been received and have been uploaded onto your ELIS account. If you have requested transcripts be sent to Yola, and have not heard back after 3 business days please contact Yola for the status of your transcript retrieval.

**The ROE has no access to transcripts sent to ISBE.

How do I send transcripts?

Transcripts may be sent via email or postal mail.

A paper transcript is considered official if it is still sealed in the envelope as prepared by the college Registrar. ISBE and the ROE will accept electronic transcripts from reputable sources such as E-script IF you request that the electronic transcript be e-mailed directly to Yola Bzdyk at ybzdyk@willroe.org. We cannot accept electronic transcripts that are copies of what you received from a service. Official transcripts already on file in ELIS do not need to be re-submitted.

Step 2: Register License

Log into your ELIS account and register the STS license in Will ROE 56. You may register in multiple counties in Illinois at any time. How to register STS license

How long is the nonrenewable STS License valid?

This license is valid for five years.

What grade levels can I teach with the STS License?

Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.

What limitations are included with the STS?

Cannot teach more than 5 consecutive days per licensed teacher.

Can serve as a Paraprofessional

***Please be aware that not all school districts accept the Short-term SUB credential.***

Step 3: Contact potential employing school districts for background check/fingerprinting instruction

Click here for sub-authorization packet and fingerprinting.

Will I receive a paper copy or official certificate?

Since Illinois moved to licensure in 2013, ISBE no longer issues a paper or electronic version of a license. The only verification individuals can print is a screenshot of the Credential page of the ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System) account.

Licensed STS are qualified to work as Paraprofessionals.

Professional Development

As a license holder who is retired from public education, you ARE responsible for professional development for each semester that you were employed in the public schools during your current cycle.

Employment Status

Retired educators collecting benefits from a State retirement system should list themselves as such in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). If you have professional development (PD) requirements for the years of the current cycle during which you taught prior to retirement, these requirements must be met in order to renew the license. Once retired, there are no more registration fees or PD requirements as long as the license is in retired status and the individual does not return to work for 50% or more of a school year. Licenses in retired status for the entire 5-year cycle cannot lapse.

Professional Development Entry and Renewal Instructions

How many hours can I work if I am retired?

***Please contact Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois with any questions regarding retirement benefits.***

TRS Website: www.trsil.org

Phone number: (877) 927-5877

members@trsil.org

2024 Renewals start April 1st

Educators will receive a reminder email from ISBE when it is time to renew their license. To renew, educators can log into their ELIS account starting April 1 of the year their license expires.

Renewal Resources

If your License is currently expired, you must reinstate your License and register within your region again.

Reinstatement Resources

If your license requires professional development hours and/or Administrator Academies hours and the renewal option is not available, make sure all hours are met and entered on your professional development tab and adjust your employment status accordingly, if needed.

Professional Development and Adminstrator Academy resources:

Education-Innovation-Service Center (EISC)

How Do I Update My Employment Status

You will not be able to renew until all PD/AA requirements are met.