How to Transfer Your Teaching License to Illinois (2026)

Moving Your Teaching License to Illinois: The Basics

If you hold a valid K-12 teaching license in another state and are moving to Illinois, you do not have to restart your training from scratch. Illinois offers a clear path for out-of-state educators to earn a Professional Educator License (PEL) through endorsement. The central state body overseeing all public school educator licensing in Illinois is the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

ISBE evaluates your out-of-state credentials to match them against Illinois licensing requirements. Under Illinois law, if you hold a comparable, full teaching license from another US state, you can obtain an Illinois PEL with equivalent subject and grade-level endorsements. Illinois does not require you to take additional coursework if you completed an approved teacher preparation program and met your home state's licensing standards.

While ISBE issues the license, local administrative bodies called Regional Offices of Education (ROEs) handle registration and local credentialing once you land a job. Understanding how these two entities work together keeps your move on schedule and avoids delays when school districts begin hiring.

Understanding the Professional Educator License (PEL) and Reciprocity

The standard teaching credential in Illinois is the Professional Educator License (PEL). When you apply from out of state, ISBE reviews your background to award comparable endorsements on your PEL. Endorsements define the specific grade bands and subject areas you are qualified to teach.

Illinois structures its teaching endorsements into clear grade structures:

• Early Childhood Endorsement: Valid for birth through grade 3.
• Elementary Endorsement: Valid for grades 1 through 6.
• Middle Grades Endorsement: Valid for grades 5 through 8 in specific subject content areas like mathematics, general science, or language arts.
• Secondary Endorsement: Valid for grades 9 through 12 in specific subject areas like biology, chemistry, English, or history.
• Special K-12 Endorsements: Valid for kindergarten through grade 12 in areas such as physical education, art, music, and world languages.
• Special Education Endorsements: Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I) covers ages 3 through 22, depending on training.

Under Illinois reciprocity guidelines, if you passed content tests in your home state to earn a full teaching license, ISBE generally accepts those test scores in lieu of taking the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) exams. However, if your out-of-state license is temporary, provisional, or emergency-based, you may need to complete pending Illinois content tests before receiving a full PEL.

Required Documents and the ELIS System

All teacher licensing processes in Illinois take place online through the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). You must set up an ELIS account to submit your application and upload required documentation. Paper applications sent by mail are not accepted by ISBE.

To submit a complete out-of-state endorsement application, gather and upload the following credentials:

• Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all higher education institutions you attended. Transcripts must show a conferred bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. Transcripts must be sent directly from your institution to ISBE via electronic transcript delivery or in sealed envelopes.
• Valid Out-of-State License: Provide a copy of your current, unencumbered teaching license from your current state showing your active endorsements and expiration date.
• Out-of-State Verification Form: Submit Form 73-03 (State Approved Program and Verification of Teaching Experience), completed by your out-of-state preparation program or state department of education if required by ELIS during your application setup.
• Test Score Reports: Provide official score reports for content-area exams or basic skills tests taken in your previous state.

Ensure your name on all transcripts and testing reports matches the name on your driver's license or social security records to prevent administrative holds in ELIS.

Fees, Processing Timelines, and Regional Offices

Planning ahead for application costs and processing timelines helps ensure you are fully credentialed before the school year begins. Expect to pay several fees during the transfer process.

• ISBE Endorsement Application Fee: Typically ranges from $100 to $150 per application submitted in ELIS. Check the ISBE website to confirm exact current fee schedules.
• ROE License Registration Fee: Once ISBE issues your PEL, you must register it with a Regional Office of Education. Registration costs approximately $10 per year, typically paid as a $50 fee for a standard 5-year registration cycle.
• Background Check and Fingerprinting Fees: Districts conduct background checks and fingerprinting through local law enforcement or contracted vendors, usually costing between $50 and $75 at the time of employment.

Processing timelines vary by season. During off-peak months (October through March), ISBE evaluation usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. During peak hiring season (April through August), processing times can extend to 8 to 12 weeks. Submitting complete, official documents early prevents your file from sitting in a pending queue.

After ISBE issues your license, you must log back into ELIS and register your PEL with the Regional Office of Education (ROE) that governs the county where you will teach. For example, if you get hired by a district in DuPage County, you register with ROE 19. If you teach within Chicago Public Schools (District 299), registration is handled through the Cook County ROE structure.

What People Get Wrong About Moving a Teaching License to Illinois

Out-of-state teachers frequently encounter unnecessary delays by making a few common assumptions:

• Assuming automatic transfer without applying: Reciprocity means Illinois recognizes your out-of-state credentials, but you must still apply, submit proof, and receive an issued PEL before signing a contract.
• Forgetting local ROE registration: Having an issued PEL on ELIS is not enough to draw a paycheck; you must register your license with the specific ROE where your school district is located.
• Mailing personal copies of transcripts: ISBE rejects transcripts uploaded or mailed directly by the applicant. Transcripts must come directly from the university's registrar.
• Confusing state tax structures: Assuming Illinois uses progressive tax brackets like neighboring states; Illinois charges a flat 4.95% state income tax rate across all income brackets.
• Delaying application until job offers arrive: Waiting for a firm district job offer before creating an ELIS account creates a backlog during peak summer processing times.

Taxes, Living Expenses, and Moving Downstate vs. Chicago

Moving to Illinois requires understanding state tax structures and regional cost of living variations. Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax rate on all earned income. When calculating your net paycheck from a new teaching contract, apply this flat percentage to estimate state withholding accurately.

Relocation costs vary across the state. There are no statewide relocation grant programs that pay individuals to move to Illinois, so all moving expenses must be self-funded or negotiated independently. School district salary schedules reflect local cost-of-living differences. Suburban Cook County, Lake County, and DuPage County generally offer higher base starting salaries to match higher regional housing costs. Downstate school districts in regions like Peoria, Sangamon, or McLean counties feature lower cost-of-living overhead and affordable housing markets, though starting salaries adjust accordingly.

Start Your Move to Illinois

Before you pack your classroom supplies, visit the Illinois page to explore licensing links, review the state tax table, and view live teaching positions across the state. Creating a free profile connects you directly with public school hiring managers and recruiters across Illinois who are looking to hire qualified out-of-state teachers.