Renewal of Teaching Certification

After possessing your Initial Teaching License and teaching for 4 years, you can apply for your Standard Teaching License. During these 4 years, you have to also complete one of the following PD options:

• Complete a sanctioned Mentoring Program
• Possess a graduate degree
• Be licensed via the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
• Finalize 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework
• Possess a PD License indicating 12 hours of study
• Possess another license
• Finalize 4 credit hours of graduate-level coursework in one of the following areas:
  • Self-assessment
  • NBPTS Certification preparation
• Finalize 60 Continuing PD Units (CPDUs)

Once you obtain your Standard License, it is good for 5 years, after which time it has to be renewed. Illinois teaching licenses can be renewed online through the Educator Certification System (ECS). At the time of renewal, you have to submit an Assurance Statement online, listing the district in which you worked during the last year of your license’s validity. You have to also submit the PD activities you finished during the past 5 years online. Your renewal request will be processed, and a recommendation for renewal or non-renewal of your teaching license will be sent to the State Teacher Certification Board electronically.

Teaching Certification Reinstatement

If you have not registered your Illinois teaching license with a regional superintendent of schools for 6 months or more, it will need to be reinstated. Use the Application for Reinstatement and mail it, along with an official transcript showing that you have obtained nine credit hours of credit in your content area in the past 5 years, and the applicable fee, to the Illinois State Board of Education, Educator Certification Division, 100 North First Street, S-306, Springfield, Illinois 62777-000. Contact the Educator Certification Division at 217-557-6763 for more info on reinstatement fees.