How to become a substitute teacher in Illinois
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issues two licenses. The Substitute Teaching License needs a bachelor's degree. The Short-Term Substitute License needs an associate degree or 60 semester hours of college work, plus district training before you start. You apply in ISBE's online system, ELIS, send transcripts, then register the license. ISBE's page does not describe the background check, so ask the hiring district.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the Illinois State Board of Education's own pages. Rules change; the state's page and your district have the last word.
At a glance
| Least schooling | An associate degree or 60 semester hours (short-term); a bachelor's degree (substitute) |
|---|---|
| Credential | Substitute Teaching License or Short-Term Substitute License |
| Background check | Not described on ISBE's substitute page. Ask the hiring district. |
| How long it lasts | Both licenses last five years. The short-term license can be applied for through June 30, 2028. |
| Fee | $50 for the Substitute Teaching License and $25 for the Short-Term Substitute License, refunded after you sub 10 or more days, as of 2026-10-30. |
| Who issues it | Illinois State Board of Education |
How to get it
- Log into ISBE's Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
- Apply for the substitute or short-term substitute license and pay the fee.
- Have your college send official transcripts to your Regional Office of Education or to ISBE.
- Register your license in ELIS once it is issued.
- Apply to a district, and for the short-term license finish the district's training first.
Limits and conditions
- Substitute license: no more than 90 paid school days in a row per licensed teacher in a school year.
- Short-term license: no more than 5 paid school days in a row per teacher under contract (15 in a declared disaster).
Ready for the first day
Sources
- ISBE, Substitute and Short-Term Substitute licenses (opened October 30, 2026)
- ISBE, Become a Substitute Teacher (flyer) (opened October 30, 2026)
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