Do I need to have U.S. citizenship to obtain a license in Illinois? You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or hold a valid social security number to obtain an Illinois license, but you must hold a valid social security number to obtain employment as an educator. For additional information about acquiring a social security number through the Social Security Administration, click . I need additional coursework for the PEL. What courses can I take to fulfill these requirements, and where can I take them? The Illinois State Board of Education has pre-approved courses from various Illinois and institutions for the professional educator license requirements. To see specific courses that that may be completed to meet licensure requirements in the areas of cross-categorical special education methods, ESL/bilingual methods, reading methods, and reading in the content area, click . How can I obtain the gifted education teacher or gifted education specialist endorsement? View the document. Does Illinois offer any alternative routes to educator licensure? Yes. Instead of completing a traditional route to educator licensure, you may complete an approved alternative licensure program in the state. Alternative programs are two-year programs and typically begin with an intensive course of study during the summer term. Then, candidates serve as teachers of record in their own classroom for two years. Additional program requirements are completed during this time. To be admitted to an alternative licensure program, you must already hold a bachelor’s degree in a content area and have passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (or provided acceptable ACT or SAT scores) and have passed the applicable content test.
Do I need to have U.S. citizenship to obtain a license in Illinois? You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or hold a valid social security number to obtain an Illinois license, but you must hold a valid social security number to obtain employment as an educator. For additional information about acquiring a social security number through the Social Security Administration, click . I need additional coursework for the PEL. What courses can I take to fulfill these requirements, and where can I take them? The Illinois State Board of Education has pre-approved courses from various Illinois and institutions for the professional educator license requirements. To see specific courses that that may be completed to meet licensure requirements in the areas of cross-categorical special education methods, ESL/bilingual methods, reading methods, and reading in the content area, click . How can I obtain the gifted education teacher or gifted education specialist endorsement? View the document. Does Illinois offer any alternative routes to educator licensure? Yes. Instead of completing a traditional route to educator licensure, you may complete an approved alternative licensure program in the state. Alternative programs are two-year programs and typically begin with an intensive course of study during the summer term. Then, candidates serve as teachers of record in their own classroom for two years. Additional program requirements are completed during this time. To be admitted to an alternative licensure program, you must already hold a bachelor’s degree in a content area and have passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (or provided acceptable ACT or SAT scores) and have passed the applicable content test.
ELIS-faq0916.docx