Illinois Substitute Teaching License

The Illinois Department of Education issues Substitute Teaching Certificates to those who wish to substitute teach in the state’s public schools.

Education Requirements

You must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in order to receive a Substitute Teaching Certificate. You must submit an official, sealed transcript to your Regional Office of Education with your certification application.

Featured Programs:

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Liberty University

Featured Program: Undergraduate Certificate in Preschool, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Doctor of Education

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Grand Canyon University

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Arizona State University - Online

Featured Program: The online master’s in early childhood education with certification equips current or aspiring educators with the coursework, skills and practical experience needed to become a certified teacher working in a public school with children pre-K and K-3.

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University of West Alabama

Featured Program: Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.

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Campbellsville University

Featured Program: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (P-5); Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education - Initial Certification; Bachelor or Science in Learning & Behavior Disorders (P-12) & Elementary Education (P-5) Initial Certification

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Walden University

Featured Program: Earn a Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary and Special Education - leads to a licensure

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Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Illinois.

Experience

No prior teaching experience is required to receive a Substitute Teaching Certificate in Illinois.

Criminal History Background Check

No criminal history background check is required to receive an Illinois Substitute Teaching Certificate. Once you are hired as a substitute teacher by an Illinois school district, however, you must submit to fingerprinting and a thorough criminal history background check. Instructions on how to proceed will be furnished to you at the time of hire.

Additional Information

Illinois Substitute Teaching Certificates are valid for four years and will allow you to teach any grade. You may work as a substitute teacher for a maximum of 30 calendar days in a single school district (except the City of Chicago) if there is no certified teacher available. You may only work for a maximum of 90 school days for one certified teacher in one school year. If you have a teaching certificate and are substitute teaching, you may work for a maximum of 120 days for one certified teacher in one school year.

Contact Information

For more information about substitute teaching, contact your Regional Office of Education.