Licensure

Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional and teacher aide are terms used to refer to paid instructional assistants supervised by a licensed teacher. Non-instructional assistants, such as personal care assistants and translators, are not considered paraprofessionals or teacher aides. All paraprofessionals (teacher aides) must have either a Statement of Approval from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), a Paraprofessional Endorsed Educator License with Stipulations (ELS-PARA) or one of the other eligible credentials stipulated in Section 25.510 Endorsement for Paraprofessional Educators of the administrative code.

Per the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), individuals that hold valid educator licenses are not required to apply separately for ELS-PARA; they may be employed as a paraprofessional under the following credentials:

1. Any Professional Educator License (PEL);
2. 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;
3. Substitute License
4. TA or TAS Approvals

***Please be aware that, for various reasons, some school districts may go above the state minimum by still requiring the ELS-PARA.***

Requirements for the ELS-PARA

1. Be at least 19 years of age to serve students in prekindergarten through grade 12.
2. Beginning January 1, 2023, you may qualify for the ELS-PARA by meeting the requirements outlined below at age 18 but only may serve in prekindergarten through grade 8.
3. Show proof of one (1) of the following requirements:
   • Associate's 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
4. 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 WorKeys - Information for ACT WorkKeys testing offered by Joliet Junior College.
• Educational Testing Service ETS

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

How to Apply for the Paraprofessional Endorsement in ELIS from ISBE Video on Vimeo.

Verification Documentation Submission

The ELS-PARA application wizard 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 this office. A paper transcript is considered official if it is still sealed in the envelope as prepared by the college Registrar. Paper transcripts can be sent to the Will County ROE address listed on this website. ISBE will accept electronic transcripts from reputable sources such as E-script IF you request that the electronic transcript be e-mailed directly to Melissa Esquivel at mesquivel@willcountyillinois.com. 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. If an individual is qualifying through the test options, verification can be submitted by mail or in person to the Will County ROE address listed on this website (Due to COVID-19, we currently ask that the documents below be mailed or e-mailed to Melissa Esquivel at mesquivel@willcountyillinois.com):

• Official Educational Testing Service (ETS) Score Report or Official ACT WorkKeys Score Report
• Copy of High School Diploma or High School Equivalency

All ELS-PARA applications must be completed online through the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). ELIS is now programmed to automatically issue the ELS-PARA when the appropriate credential is listed in the Degree tab. If the degree is not on file at the time of application, the PARA will go into “Pending” status until the transcript and degree are on file. If an individual is not qualifying through a degree, then evaluations can take 4-6 weeks. Educators can see the list of documents uploaded into their ELIS account by viewing the Images tab.

ELS-PARA Registration and Renewal

ISBE will send you an e-mail once the account is updated. Once the license has been issued, log into your ELIS account to pay the applicable registration fees. Register the license in Will County ROE 56 by selecting the registration option from the “Action Center” box located on the Home page of your ELIS account. Selecting that link will take you through another wizard that walks you step by step through the registration process. The license is not valid for employment until these fees are paid. 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 Educator Licensure Information System(ELIS) account.

Paraprofessional Renewal 2023

Retired Educators

House Bill 5627 Effective July 1, 2018

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.

Licensure Renewal:

Individuals must wait until April 1st of the renewal year to renew the license. 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 to Update Professional Development/ Employment Status

How to update Professional Development/Employment Status from ISBE Video on Vimeo.

40 ILCS 5/16-118- Outlines timelines and number of days that retirees can work in a school year and still receive retirement annuities:

• Before July 1, 2001: 100 paid days or 500 paid hours in a school year
• July 1, 2001-June 30, 2011: 120 paid days or 600 paid hours in a school year
• July 1, 2011-June 30, 2018: 100 paid days or 500 paid hours in a school year
• July 1, 2018-June 30, 2021: 100 paid days or 500 paid hour each school year, but no more than 100 paid days in the same classroom
• July 1, 2021- June 30, 2023: 120 days or 600 hours in a school year.

***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
Staff Email: "@trsil.org" (ex. members@trsil.org)

Substitute Teacher

Legislative Updates:

The links below are summaries on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) website of legislative changes. Thank you for your patience as we transition to the updated requirements.

• House Bill 5627 Effective July 1, 2018
• Senate Bill 2912 Effective January 6, 2017
• Substitute Reimbursement Information

Effective September 24, 2015, districts may hire individuals as substitute teachers if they hold a valid and active Illinois educator license and have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. This is due to a slight change in wording under Section 1.790 Substitute Teacher of the Administrative Code.

a) To serve as a substitute teacher, a person shall hold a valid substitute teaching license issued pursuant to Section 21B-20(3) of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/21B-20(3)]. Any individual who holds a valid and active Illinois educator license and at least a bachelor’s degree may serve as a substitute teacher without having to also hold the substitute teaching license.

For example, an individual holding a valid Educator License with Stipulations with a Paraprofessional endorsement (ELS-PARA) AND a bachelor’s degree may work as a substitute teacher. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) posted the following due to Public Act (PA) 100-0596:

https://www.isbe.net/Pages/EESenateBill2912.aspx

“A school district may not require an individual who holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.”

ISBE confirmed that the intent of the new legislation is to prohibit districts from requiring educators to obtain a substitute license if they already qualify to substitute teach per state minimum requirements. The Will County ROE will issue, upon request from the licensed individual, the Substitute Teacher Authorization if the individual holds a valid Illinois educator license with verification of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and meets all other requirements stipulated for issuance. Please remember that the Substitute Teacher Authorizations are no longer re-printed at licensure renewal. The authorization is issued if the individual meets the requirements at that time and remains valid provided that the license is kept current. Districts are responsible for verifying that the individual’s credentials are up to date in ELIS.

If you DO NOT hold Licensure through the Illinois State Board of Education, please complete the following steps.

Step 1:

Obtain a Substitute License

Anyone interested in obtaining a Substitute License must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. A Substitute License is valid for 5 fiscal years and is renewable upon payment of registration fees. Due to Senate Bill 2912, a substitute teaching license may be renewed after 5 years without evidence of passing a test of basic skills.

The substitute application wizard 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 this office. A paper transcript is considered official if it is still sealed in the envelope as prepared by the college Registrar. Paper transcripts can be sent to the Will County ROE address listed on this website. ISBE will accept electronic transcripts from reputable sources such as E-script IF you request that the electronic transcript be e-mailed directly to Melissa Esquivel at mesquivel@willcountyillinois.com. 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.

All substitute license (SUB) applications must be completed online through the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). ELIS is now programmed to automatically issue the SUB when the appropriate credential is listed in the Degree tab. If the degree is not on file at the time of application, the SUB will go into “Pending” status until the transcript and degree are on file. Educators can see the list of documents uploaded into their ELIS account by viewing the Images tab. Refer to following link for details on the ISBE website regarding Substitute Licensure.

How to Apply for A Substitute License

How To Apply for a Substitute License in ELIS from ISBE Video on Vimeo.

Step 2:

Substitute Teacher Registration Requirements

Individuals seeking a substitute position in Will County schools are required to register their ISBE license with the Will County Regional Office of Education and have the option to qualify for a Will County “Substitute Teacher Authorization (STA)”. Be aware that the STA is accepted by most Will County school districts. Please contact the district(s) for which you desire to work for prior to completing this process.

All substitute teachers currently active on the Will County ROE Substitute Teacher List have documentation on file and are considered to have a valid “Substitute Teacher Authorization (STA)” from the office until further notice.

How to Register Your PEL or SUB License on ELIS

How to Register your Professional Educator License (PEL) in ELIS from ISBE Video on Vimeo.

Once the license has been issued, log into your ELIS account to pay the applicable registration fees. Register the license in Will County ROE 56 by selecting the registration option from the “Action Center” box located on the Home page of your ELIS account. Selecting that link will take you through another wizard that walks you step by step through the registration process. The license is not valid for employment until these fees are paid. 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 Educator Licensure Information System(ELIS) account.

Register in Additional Regions (PDF)

Step 3:

*You must first have the appropriate Illinois State Board of Education license registered in Will County to obtain a Substitute Teacher Authorization*

To receive a “Substitute Teacher Authorization”:

The following documentation must be provided before a “Substitute Teacher Authorization” will be issued by the Will County Regional Office of Education:

**Please open forms in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Some forms may not open using other web browsers.**

1. Substitute Teacher Information Form (Includes Physician's Statement of Good Health - Must be dated within 90 days of fingerprinting appointment)
2. Substitute Permission Form
3. Employment Eligibility Verification Form/I-9 /Instructions (Two forms of original identification are required. Drivers License-being one, and either Passport or Social Security Card or Birth Certificate.)
4. Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status/DCFS
5. Will County Sub List Request Form** The Will County ROE maintains a countywide sub-list available to all 29 school districts.
6. Physician’s statement of good health and freedom from communicable disease, signed by a physician and not more than 90 days old. Please keep a copy of these for your records.
7. Call and set up an appointment for fingerprinting (appointments are taken on Tuesdays/Thursdays only). There is a $50.00 fee to perform a criminal background check (cashier's check, personal check, or money order). Applicants are responsible for all fees associated with performing a criminal background check.

**indicates document is optional

Fees for Substitute Teacher Authorization:

$50.00 Fingerprinting fee (criminal background check)
$5.00 Duplicate "Substitute Teacher Authorization" Fee (replacement of original authorization)

If you do not have all of your documentation and fees with you on the day of your fingerprinting appointment, you will have to reschedule.

Substitute Teaching Renewal Instructions 2023

Short-Term Substitute License Extension

• On June 29, 2023, Governor Pritzker signed SB 2390 (now PA-103-0111) into law. It is effective immediately. The law provides an extension for the Short-Term substitute teacher application availability. The application is now available through June 30, 2028 rather than June 30, 2023. This license is valid for five years. Educators who currently hold a short-term substitute teaching license with an expiration date of 6/30/2023 can renew the license for a five-year period in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) accounts by logging into their ELIS accounts on or after July 1, 2023 and clicking on the "Renewals" link in their Action Center.
• Registration fees for renewal are free.
• More information can be found on the Illinois State Board of Education website.

Short-Term Substitute Teacher License (STS):

House Bill 5627 Effective July 1, 2018

Requirements

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

*Notes:

• Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.
• Short-Term Substitute licenses are valid until June 30, 2023, and may not be renewed.
• Cannot teach more than 5 consecutive days per licensed teacher.
• Must complete a training program provided by the school board.
• Can serve as a Paraprofessional

***Please be aware that not all school districts accept the STS.***

Step 1:

Obtain a Short-Term Substitute License

• Go to https://www.isbe.net/.
• Click on System Quick Links at the top of the page.
• Select ELIS: Educator Licensure Information System.
• Click on Login to your ELIS account under the “Educator Access” option.
• Enter with your Login Name and Password.
• If you have not created an ELIS account, click on Sign Up Now and create an account.
• Below the “Action Center” box on the home page of your ELIS account, you will find the Apply for Credential option.
• Click the Short-Term Substitute License (STS) option.
• Selecting that link will take you through a wizard that walks you step by step through the application process.
• The application wizard 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 this office. A paper transcript is considered official if it is still sealed in the envelope as prepared by the college Registrar. Paper transcripts can be sent to the Will County ROE address listed on this website. ISBE will accept electronic transcripts from reputable sources such as E-script IF you request that the electronic transcript be e-mailed directly to Melissa Esquivel at mesquivel@willcountyillinois.com. 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. Educators can see the list of documents uploaded into their ELIS account by viewing the Images tab.
• Once issued, ISBE will send you an e-mail notification. You must then register the license in Will County ROE 56 by selecting the registration option from the “Action Center” box on the home page of your ELIS account.
• Selecting that link will take you through another wizard that walks you step by step through the registration process.
• It is $25 plus processing fee to apply and no cost to register. Currently, the STS application fee is being waived. See details below.
  Public Act 102-0867 provides that the application fee for a short-term substitute teaching license shall be waived when the governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency. The law is effective immediately.
• 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 Educator Licensure Information System(ELIS) account.

Step 2:

*You must first have the Short-Term Substitute Teaching License registered in Will County to obtain a Short-Term Substitute Teacher Authorization*

To receive a “Short-Term Substitute Teacher Authorization”:

The following documentation must be provided before a “Short-Term Substitute Teacher Authorization” will be issued by the Will County Regional Office of Education:

**Please open forms in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Some forms may not open using other web browsers.**

1. Substitute Teacher Information Form (Includes Physician's Statement of Good Health - Must be dated within 90 days of fingerprinting appointment)
2. Substitute Permission Form
3. Employment Eligibility Verification Form/I-9 /Instructions (Two forms of original identification are required. Drivers License-being one, and either Passport or Social Security Card or Birth Certificate.)
4. Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status/DCFS
5. Will County Sub List Request Form** The Will County ROE maintains a countywide sub-list available to all 29 school districts.
6. Physician’s statement of good health and freedom from communicable disease, signed by a physician and not more than 90 days old. Please keep a copy of these for your records.
7. Call and set up an appointment for fingerprinting (appointments are taken on Tuesdays/Thursdays only). There is a $50.00 fee to perform a criminal background check (cashier's check, personal check, or money order). Applicants are responsible for all fees associated with performing a criminal background check.

**indicates document is optional

Fees for Short-Term Substitute Teacher Authorization:

$50.00 Fingerprinting fee (criminal background check)

$5.00 Duplicate "Substitute Teacher Authorization" Fee (replacement of original authorization)

If you do not have all of your documentation and fees with you on the day of your fingerprinting appointment, you will have to reschedule.