Become a Substitute Teacher

 Short Term Substitute License Public Act 103-0111, effective immediately, extends the availability of the short-term substitute teacher license through June 30th, 2028. Educators who currently hold short-term substitute teaching licenses with an expiration date of June 30, 2023, can renew the license for a five-year period by logging into their Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) accounts on or after July 1, 2023, and clicking on the "Renewals" link in their Action Center. 

Requirements

Short Term Substitute License with Associate's Degree
Must hold an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or show completion of 60 semester hours of coursework.

*Notes:

• Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.
• Short-term Substitute Licenses are valid for 5 years.
• Cannot teach more than 5 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher who is under contract unless the state has a declared a disaster proclamation in which the short-term substitute may serve 15 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher who is under contract. 
• Must complete a training program provided by the school board.
• Can serve as a Paraprofessional.
• Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
• How to become a Substitute Teacher?

Substitute License with Bachelor's Degree 

• Valid for five years
• Renewable every five years with payment of $50 registration fee
• Substitute License can serve in place of a contracted teacher for up to 90 days or in emergency situations for up to 30 days when no teacher is under contract with the district
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution required
• Application and $50 application fee (reimbursable) required for employment!

How to Apply

• Login to the Educator Licensure Information System
• From the Action Center, select "apply for a substitute or short-term substitute license"
• Complete application and pay reimbursable fee
• Your institution must submit your official transcripts to your Regional Office of Education or Intermediate Service Center or to transcripts@isbe.net
• We will issue your license automatically once we verify your transcript
• Register your license in ELIS. You now have a license valid for employment!

ISBE Substitute Teacher Brochure [PDF]