Educator Certification
Becoming Certified in Illinois
In order to become certified in Illinois, individuals must complete a state approved certificate preparation program (or hold a valid and comparable out-of-state certificate), meet all coursework and testing requirements, and meet all other requirements detailed in Illinois statute and rules. Please review the Directory of Approved Illinois Certification Programs. Should you have questions regarding completing an Illinois approved certification program, please contact the appropriate institution.
Entitlement is the process of completing an Illinois approved teacher, administrative, or school service personnel program. If the applicant has successfully completed all program and coursework requirements, the entitling institution will send notification to the Illinois State Board of Education. Essentially, the entitling institution “recommends” that the applicant be issued a certificate. If all testing requirements have been met and the applicant meets all other statutory requirements, the certificate will be issued upon submission of all relevant documents and fees.* If you have completed an Illinois approved program, click here.
Alternative Certification Program Information
Individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and have related work experience may be interested in one of Illinois’ Alternate Certification Programs. There are three alternative certification routes for preparing teachers and an administrative route for preparing school superintendents.
- Alternative Teacher Certification (105 ILCS 5/21-5b)
- Alternative Route to Teacher Certification (105 ILCS 5/21-5c)
- Resident Teacher Certification Programs (IAC Section 25.442)
- Alternative Route to Administrative Certification (105 ILCS 5/21-5d)
An overview of the alternative and resident teacher certification program requirements, program comparison charts, and enrollment information are provided in the following documents:
- Illinois Alternative and Resident Teacher Certification Programs fact sheet
- Comparison Chart of Illinois Alternative and Resident Teacher Programs
- Enrollment Information and Comparison of Traditional and Alternative Programs
Should you have questions regarding completing an alternative Illinois approved certification program, please contact the institutions that offer such approved programs.
