Substitute and Short-term Substitute Teaching License
Substitute Teaching
Eligibility
With a substitute teaching license, you can substitute teach in all public school grades, from prekindergarten through grade 12. You can apply for a substitute license if you hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
You can substitute teach without a substitute license if you have one of the following:
- A valid professional educator license.
- An educator license with stipulations that required a bachelor's degree.
Application Process
- Apply online through the .
- Pay the fee (please have a credit card available).
- Send an official transcript showing your bachelor's degree to the following address:
Illinois State Board of Education
Educator Licensure
100 N. 1st St.
Springfield, IL 62777
Please note: Your transcript must be submitted in a sealed envelope from the college or university, or sent directly by the institution. Transcripts that are not in a sealed envelope from the university or sent directly from the university are not accepted.
Questions? Contact your or view the Illinois State Board of Education's .
Short-term Substitute Teaching
The ISBE recently changed the , and the new rules state that you may be eligible to obtain a short-term substitute license if you:
- Hold an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
- Show completion of 60 semester hours of coursework.
- The new short term substitute license will be:
- Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.
- Valid for five years and may not be renewed.
- Allows no more than five consecutive days per licensed teacher.
- Individuals interested in obtaining a short term substitute license:
- Must complete a training program provided by the school board.
- Cannot serve as a paraprofessional.
Contact Us
Office of Educator Licensure and Preparation320
815-753-0846
TeacherCertification@niu.edu