Frequently Asked Questions

To teach in an Illinois public school, you need a Professional Educator License (PEL).

A teaching license entitled by SIU’s TEP for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is based on:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree.
• Completion of a state-approved licensure program at SIU in the TEP.
• Completion of coursework related to the exceptional child, particularly the learning disabled, reading methods, reading in the content area and English language learners.
• Passing all state-required licensure tests.
• Recommendation (entitlement) for licensure from SIU.

Endorsements with corresponding grade ranges listed below.

Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)

Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)

Middle Grades (5-8)
Not offered in initial PEL program but as subsequent endorsement only.

• General Science
• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Social Science

Senior High (9-12)

• English Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science - Biology
• Science - Chemistry
• Social Science - History

Senior High (5-12)

• Agricultural Education

School Support Personnel (PreK-Age 22)

• School Social Worker*
• Speech Language Pathologist*

Special Education (K-Age 22)

• Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBSI)

Special (PreK-12)

• English as a Second Language
  Offered as subsequent endorsement only.
• Music
• Reading Specialist*
• Reading Teacher
  Offered as subsequent endorsement only.
• Visual Art
• World Languages (German & Spanish)
• Bilingual Education
  Offered as subsequent endorsement only.

Administrative (PreK-Age 22)

• Principal*
• Superintendent*
• Chief School Business Official

*These endorsements require successful completion of a full state-approved program, even if earned as a subsequent endorsement.

Once you hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) in a teaching field, you can add endorsements to expand either the grade range or the subjects you can teach. These endorsements can be added at any grade level even if the initial teaching endorsement on the PEL is a different grade range.

You can earn subsequent endorsements to add to your Professional Educator License (PEL) while enrolled in your educator preparation program and/or after you hold a valid initial PEL.

Most additional endorsements require an additional 18 semester hours or less of coursework in the content area and passing the associated content test for that endorsement.

When the TEP entitles your license or adds a subsequent endorsement, ISBE does not require you to send official transcripts to ELIS.  However, if you apply to ISBE on your own to add a subsequent endorsement, ISBE will require you to send official transcripts. You can order your transcripts here https://registrar.siu.edu/transcripts/.  Choose the PDF delivery option and supply this email address: transcripts@isbe.net. The electronic transcripts are considered official unless the student emails it to themselves and prints it out.  Electronic deliveries (pdf) are normally e-mailed within minutes of your completed order.

All SIU teacher candidates must have an ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System) account to apply to the Teacher Education Program.

It tracks your test scores, degrees, endorsements, employment, and personal information for ISBE and future employers.

ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) maintains an electronic file on each Illinois license holder. You must have an ELIS account to apply for the Teacher Education Program. You will create an ELIS account by going to the ISBE website. There is no charge to create an ELIS account.

The ELIS website is best viewed with the latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox on a laptop or desktop computer. Handheld devices, tablets and Macs are not compatible with our system. Please make sure you are using a desktop or laptop computer for the most optimal experience.​​

• Type “isbe.net” in the address bar of your browser.
• Once you are at ISBE’s homepage, click on “Log Into ELIS” in the upper left. Under “Educator Access,” click on “Login to your ELIS account.”
• On the righthand side of this screen, select “Click Here for First Time Access to the ELIS System.” You will also use this screen to log into your account in the future. Feel free to bookmark this page.
• Complete the required fields. Please ensure you use your exact legal first, middle, and last name when creating your ELIS account. Using a nickname, altered spelling, or any name other than your legal name may result in delays or issues with the licensure process.
• Your ELIS account has been successfully created. Clicking “Continue” will take you into your account.

Entitlement happens when you have completed one of our state-approved programs, and our Licensure Office validates the teacher candidate has met all coursework and testing requirements for the license per current Illinois rules and regulations. The pending credential will be listed on your Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account. You can then apply for this credential on your ELIS home page.

Entitlement Step by Step:

1. Candidate enrolls in an approved program at Southern Illinois University.
2. Candidate creates an ELIS account to apply to the Teacher Education Program.
3. Licensure office places candidate into Pre-Completion status.
4. Candidate completes coursework and passes the content test.
5. Candidate completes student teaching.
6. Licensure office confirms testing and enters the degree conferred date into the ELIS account.
7. Licensure office updates candidate to Completed Program status.
8. Candidate applies for entitled license in Completed Program status; pays $100 to claim license.
9. Candidate registers license with a ROE.
10. ISBE issues Professional Educator License (PEL).

Your license is not valid for employment until registered with a ROE in at least one region within 60 days.

The current registration fee is $60 for 5 years. If you don’t register your license within 60 days, it will lapse which requires reinstatement and an additional $50 penalty fee.

Register for the ROE in the primary region you’ll be employed in or anticipate future employment.

You can only select one ROE when claiming your license, but you’ll have an opportunity to add additional regions later at no charge.

The Illinois Teacher Content Test is an exam administered by the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) and required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). It measures your specific subject-matter knowledge to ensure you meet state standards before earning a Professional Educator License or adding endorsements.

You can register for the content test at this link https://www.il.nesinc.com/.

Official scores are sent electronically from Pearson to ISBE and uploaded into ELIS every two weeks. An educator cannot be placed into Completed Program status until a passing test score is posted in the test tab of your ELIS account. 

Please ensure you use your exact legal first, middle, and last name when registering to take your content test.  This avoids a possible delay in your test score being uploaded to your ELIS account.

You can find all practice exams and study materials on the Illinois Licensure Testing System website. You will not be licensed by ISBE without an account containing all required tests.

TEP has preparation material and resources to help you prepare for the test and financially with the cost of the test. Contact tep@siu.edu to inquire and request info on the availability of these resources.

Illinois can grant full reciprocity for out-of-state educators. During the initial evaluation for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), all endorsement areas listed on a valid and comparable out-of-state license will be considered.

Out-of-state licenses must be deemed equivalent to the Illinois PEL. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has the authority to determine license equivalency and may request additional documentation to verify equivalency.

Demand for teachers and education specialists depends on many factors, including region of the state, district type and size, district finances, prior year turnover, etc. However, in general, there is a strong and continuing need for special education teachers and other specialists such as speech-language therapists; bilingual education and ESL teachers; school service personnel (counselors, social workers and psychologists); remedial reading teachers; and math and science teachers. There is also an increasing need for superintendents and principals.

Online at IASA Illinois Education Job Bank

Online at the School of Education Job Board.

Candidates have one year from time of earning Completed Program status to apply for their PEL before the entitlement expires. If expiration occurs, the licensure office can re-entitle you (but you will need to meet the current requirements for your particular program).

OR you can pay a $50 penalty fee and submit a new application along with a copy of your transcripts and an 80-09 form completed and signed by SIU’s TEP through ISBE for an evaluation.

For questions regarding licensure, please email tep@siu.edu or call 618-453-2354.