Bill Text: IL HB2657 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Amends the School Code. Authorizes the State Superintendent of Education to use moneys in the institute fund and the State Board of Education to use funds available in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund to support the recruitment and retention of educators, to support educator preparation programs as they seek national accreditation, and to provide professional development; specifies dedication of moneys. Makes changes concerning a provisional educator or career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a Substitute Teaching License, a general administrative endorsement on a Professional Educator License, out-of-state applicants and applicants trained in another country receiving a Professional Educator License, and professional development activities. Provides that an Educator License with Stipulations with only a paraprofessional endorsement does not lapse. Removes the requirement that an alternative educator licensure program for teachers or a principal preparation program offered by a not-for-profit entity be approved by the Board of Higher Education. In provisions concerning the conviction of certain offenses as grounds for revocation of a license, adds the offense of unauthorized video recording and live video transmission (under certain circumstances) to the definition of "sex offense". Makes changes concerning the training of teachers to teach physical education and safety education. Effective July 1, 2015.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2015-07-16 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 99-0058 [HB2657 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-HB2657-Chaptered.html

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Public Act 099-0058
HB2657 Enrolled LRB099 06208 NHT 30136 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
3-12, 21B-20, 21B-25, 21B-30, 21B-35, 21B-40, 21B-45, 21B-50,
21B-60, 21B-80, 27-9, and 27-17 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/3-12) (from Ch. 122, par. 3-12)
Sec. 3-12. Institute fund.
(a) All license certificate registration fees and a portion
of renewal and duplicate fees shall be kept by the regional
superintendent as described in Section 21-16 or 21B-40 of this
Code, together with a record of the names of the persons paying
them. Such fees shall be deposited into the institute fund and
shall be used by the regional superintendent to defray expenses
associated with the work of the regional professional
development review committees established pursuant to
paragraph (2) of subsection (g) of Section 21-14 of this Code
to advise the regional superintendent, upon his or her request,
and to hear appeals relating to the renewal of teaching
licenses certificates, in accordance with Section 21-14 of this
Code; to defray expenses connected with improving the
technology necessary for the efficient processing of licenses
certificates; to defray all costs associated with the

administration of teaching licenses certificates; to defray
expenses incidental to teachers' institutes, workshops or
meetings of a professional nature that are designed to promote
the professional growth of teachers or for the purpose of
defraying the expense of any general or special meeting of
teachers or school personnel of the region, which has been
approved by the regional superintendent.
(b) In addition to the use of moneys in the institute fund
to defray expenses under subsection (a) of this Section, the
State Superintendent of Education, as authorized under Section
2-3.105 of this Code, shall use moneys in the institute fund to
defray all costs associated with the administration of teaching
licenses certificates within a city having a population
exceeding 500,000. Moneys in the institute fund may also be
used by the State Superintendent of Education to support
educator recruitment and retention programs within a city
having a population exceeding 500,000, to support educator
preparation programs within a city having a population
exceeding 500,000 as those programs seek national
accreditation, and to provide professional development aligned
with the requirements set forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code
within a city having a population exceeding 500,000. A majority
of the moneys in the institute fund must be dedicated to the
timely and efficient processing of applications and for the
renewal of licenses.
(c) The regional superintendent shall on or before January

1 of each year publish in a newspaper of general circulation
published in the region or shall post in each school building
under his jurisdiction an accounting of (1) the balance on hand
in the institute Institute fund at the beginning of the
previous year; (2) all receipts within the previous year
deposited in the fund, with the sources from which they were
derived; (3) the amount distributed from the fund and the
purposes for which such distributions were made; and (4) the
balance on hand in the fund.
(Source: P.A. 96-893, eff. 7-1-10; 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. Before July 1, 2013, the
State Board of Education shall implement a system of educator
licensure, whereby individuals employed in school districts
who are required to be licensed must have one of the following
licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) a
professional educator license with stipulations; or (iii) a
substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
individuals certified or certificated or required to be
certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
30 following one full year of the license being issued.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such

rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
licenses and endorsements under this Section.
(1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
have successfully completed an approved educator
preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
the exceptional child, including without limitation the
learning disabled, (iv) have successfully completed
coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content
area, and (v) have met all other criteria established by
rule of the State Board of Education shall be issued a
Professional Educator License. All Professional Educator
Licenses are valid until June 30 immediately following 5
years of the license being issued. The Professional
Educator License shall be endorsed with specific areas and
grade levels in which the individual is eligible to
practice.
Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
in the endorsement area, unless otherwise specified by
rule, and passage of the applicable content area test.

(2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
that limits the license holder to one particular position
or does not require completion of an approved educator
program or both.
An individual with an Educator License with
Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
with the following endorsements:
(A) Provisional educator. A provisional educator
endorsement in a specific content area or areas on an
Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
applicant who holds an educator license with a minimum
of 15 semester hours in content coursework from another
state, U.S. territory, or foreign country and who, at
the time of applying for an Illinois license, does not
meet the minimum requirements under Section 21B-35 of
this Code, but does, at a minimum, meet both of the
following requirements:
(i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
bachelor's degree, unless a master's degree is
required for the endorsement, from a regionally
accredited college or university or, for
individuals educated in a country other than the

United States, the equivalent of a minimum of a
bachelor's degree issued in the United States,
unless a master's degree is required for the
endorsement.
(ii) Has passed or passes a test of basic
skills and content area test, as required by
Section 21B-30 of this Code, prior to or within one
year after issuance of the provisional educator
endorsement on the Educator License with
Stipulations. If an individual who holds an
Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for
provisional educator has not passed a test of basic
skills and applicable content area test or tests
within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
the endorsement shall expire on June 30 following
one full year of the endorsement being issued. If
such an individual has passed the test of basic
skills and applicable content area test or tests
either prior to issuance of the endorsement or
within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
the endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
following 2 years of the license being issued,
during which time any and all coursework
deficiencies must be met and any and all additional
testing deficiencies must be met.
In addition However, a provisional educator

endorsement for principals or superintendents may be
issued if the individual meets the requirements set
forth in subdivisions (1) and (3) of subsection (b-5)
of Section 21B-35 of this Code may not be issued, nor
may any person with a provisional educator endorsement
serve as a principal in a public school in this State.
Applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an
Illinois institution of higher education In addition,
out-of-state applicants shall not receive a
provisional educator endorsement if the person
completed an alternative licensure program in another
state, unless the program has been determined to be
equivalent to Illinois program requirements.
Notwithstanding any other requirements of this
Section, a service member or spouse of a service member
may obtain a Professional Educator License with
Stipulations, and a provisional educator endorsement
in a specific content area or areas, if he or she holds
a valid teaching certificate or license in good
standing from another state, meets the qualifications
of educators outlined in Section 21B-15 of this Code,
and has not engaged in any misconduct that would
prohibit an individual from obtaining a license
pursuant to Illinois law, including without limitation
any administrative rules of the State Board of

Education; however, the service member or spouse may
not serve as a principal under the Professional
Educator License with Stipulations or provisional
educator endorsement.
In this Section, "service member" means any person
who, at the time of application under this Section, is
an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces
or any reserve component of the United States Armed
Forces or the National Guard of any state,
commonwealth, or territory of the United States or the
District of Columbia.
A provisional educator endorsement is valid until
June 30 immediately following 2 years of the license
being issued, provided that during which time any
remaining testing and coursework deficiencies are must
be met as set forth in this Section. Failure to satisfy
all stated deficiencies shall mean the individual,
including any service member or spouse who has obtained
a Professional Educator License with Stipulations and
a provisional educator endorsement in a specific
content area or areas, is ineligible to receive a
Professional Educator License at that time. An A
provisional educator endorsement on an Educator
License with Stipulations endorsed for provisional
educator shall not be renewed for individuals who hold
an Educator License with Stipulations and who have held

a position in a public school or non-public school
recognized by the State Board of Education.
(B) Alternative provisional educator. An
alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
applicant who, at the time of applying for the
endorsement, has done all of the following:
(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum of a
bachelor's degree.
(ii) Successfully completed the first phase of
the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this
Code.
(iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
The alternative provisional educator endorsement
is valid for 2 years of teaching and may be renewed for
a third year by an individual meeting the requirements
set forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.
(C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An
alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the
holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant
superintendent in a school district's central office.

This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant
who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has
done all of the following:
(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum of a master's
degree in a management field other than education.
(ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
years in a management level position in a field
other than education.
(iii) Successfully completed the first phase
of an alternative route to superintendent
endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
of this Code.
(iv) Passed a test of basic skills and content
area tests required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
The endorsement may be registered for 2 fiscal
years in order to complete one full year of serving as
a superintendent or assistant superintendent.
(D) Resident teacher endorsement. A resident
teacher endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who, at the
time of applying for the endorsement, has done all of
the following:
(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education with a minimum of a

bachelor's degree.
(ii) Enrolled in an approved Illinois educator
preparation program.
(iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
The resident teacher endorsement on an Educator
License with Stipulations is valid for 4 years of
teaching and shall not be renewed.
A resident teacher may teach only under the
direction of a licensed teacher, who shall act as the
resident mentor teacher, and may not teach in place of
a licensed teacher. A resident teacher endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations shall no longer
be valid after June 30, 2017.
(E) Career and technical educator. A career and
technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has
a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
regionally accredited institution of higher education
and has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience in the
last 10 years outside of education in each area to be
taught.
The career and technical educator endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the

endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
individual passes a test of basic skills, as required
under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
(F) Part-time provisional career and technical
educator or provisional career and technical educator.
A part-time provisional career and technical educator
endorsement or a provisional career and technical
educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has a
minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience in the skill
for which the applicant is seeking the endorsement. It
is the responsibility of each employing school board
and regional office of education to provide
verification, in writing, to the State Superintendent
of Education at the time the application is submitted
that no qualified teacher holding a Professional
Educator License or an Educator License with
Stipulations with a career and technical educator
endorsement is available and that actual circumstances
require such issuance.
The provisional career and technical educator
endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
the endorsement being issued and may be renewed only
one time for 5 years if the individual passes a test of
basic skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of this

Code, and has completed a minimum of 20 semester hours
from a regionally accredited institution.
A part-time provisional career and technical
educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued for teaching no more than 2
courses of study for grades 6 through 12. The part-time
provisional career and technical educator endorsement
on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5 years
if the individual makes application for renewal.
(G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all
of the following requirements:
(i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
writing ability in the language other than English
in which transitional bilingual education is
offered.
(ii) Has the ability to successfully
communicate in English.
(iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
previous to his or her applying for a transitional

bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
comparable teaching certificate or comparable
authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
a degree from an institution of higher learning in
a foreign country that the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
regionally accredited institution of higher
learning in the United States.
A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12, is
valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
the endorsement being issued, and shall not be renewed.
Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
replaced for any reason.
(H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
other than English in the public schools, an individual
who holds an Educator License with Stipulations may
also apply for a language endorsement, provided that
the applicant provides satisfactory evidence that he
or she meets all of the following requirements:
(i) Holds a transitional bilingual
endorsement.

(ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
language for which the endorsement is to be issued
by passing the applicable language content test
required by the State Board of Education.
(iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
a regionally accredited institution of higher
education or, for individuals educated in a
country other than the United States, holds a
degree from an institution of higher learning in a
foreign country that the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
regionally accredited institution of higher
learning in the United States.
(iv) Has passed a test of basic skills, as
required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
A language endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
grade 12 for the same validity period as the
individual's transitional bilingual educator
endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
and shall not be renewed.
(I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
international educator endorsement on an Educator
License with Stipulations may be issued to an
individual who is being recruited by a particular

school district that conducts formal recruitment
programs outside of the United States to secure the
services of qualified teachers and who meets all of the
following requirements:
(i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
(ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
grade level for which he or she will be employed.
(iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
subject to be taught.
(iv) Has an adequate command of the English
language.
A holder of a visiting international educator
endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
programs in the language that was the medium of
instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
provided that he or she passes the English Language
Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
skills in English identified by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board.
A visiting international educator endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 3
years and shall not be renewed.
(J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional

educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a
high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
either holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education or has passed a test of
basic skills required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code. The paraprofessional educator endorsement is
valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
the endorsement being issued and may be renewed through
application and payment of the appropriate fee, as
required under Section 21B-40 of this Code. An
individual who holds only a paraprofessional educator
endorsement is not subject to additional requirements
in order to renew the endorsement.
(K) Chief school business official. A chief school
business official endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
years of full-time administrative experience in school
business management or 2 years of university-approved
practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
State Board of Education for the preparation of school
business administrators and by passage of the
applicable State tests, including a test of basic

skills and applicable content area test.
The chief school business official endorsement may
also be affixed to the Educator License with
Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
master's degree in business administration, finance,
or accounting and who completes an additional 6
semester hours of internship in school business
management from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education and passes the applicable State
tests, including a test of basic skills and applicable
content area test. This endorsement shall be required
for any individual employed as a chief school business
official.
The chief school business official endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
license holder completes renewal requirements as
required for individuals who hold a Professional
Educator License endorsed for chief school business
official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
Education.
(3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
License may be issued to qualified applicants for
substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,

prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's degree
or higher from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education.
Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years and
may be renewed if the individual has passed a test of basic
skills, as authorized under Section 21B-30 of this Code. An
individual who has passed a test of basic skills for the
first licensure renewal is not required to retake the test
again for further renewals.
Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
has had his or her Professional Educator License or
Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked or
has not met the renewal requirements for licensure, then
that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute
Teaching License.
A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
contract because of an emergency situation, then a district
may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30
calendar days per each vacant position in the district if
the district notifies the appropriate regional office of
education within 5 business days after the employment of

the substitute teacher in the emergency situation. An
emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy
has occurred and (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or
her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of
the district exceed previous indications, and the district
is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed
teacher for the vacant position.
There is no limit on the number of days that a
substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
than 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under
contract in the same school year. A substitute teacher who
holds a Professional Educator License or Educator License
with Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school
days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
same school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on
the number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do
not apply to any school district operating under Article 34
of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 97-710, eff. 1-1-13; 98-28,
eff. 7-1-13; 98-751, eff. 1-1-15.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-25)
Sec. 21B-25. Endorsement on licenses. All licenses issued
under paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20 of this Code shall be
specifically endorsed by the State Board of Education for each

content area, school support area, and administrative area for
which the holder of the license is qualified. Recognized
institutions approved to offer educator preparation programs
shall be trained to add endorsements to licenses issued to
applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement
or endorsements, including passing any required tests. The
State Superintendent of Education shall randomly audit
institutions to ensure that all rules and standards are being
followed for entitlement or when endorsements are being
recommended.
(1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall
establish, by rule, the grade level and subject area
endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator
License. These rules shall outline the requirements for
obtaining each endorsement.
(2) In addition to any and all grade level and content
area endorsements developed by rule, the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board, shall develop the
requirements for the following endorsements:
(A) General administrative endorsement. A general
administrative endorsement shall be added to a
Professional Educator License, provided that an
approved program has been completed. An individual
holding a general administrative endorsement may work

only as a principal or assistant principal or in a
related or similar position, as determined by the State
Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
Beginning on September 1, 2014, the general
administrative endorsement shall no longer be issued
except to individuals who completed all coursework
requirements for the receipt of the general
administrative endorsement by September 1, 2014, who
have completed all testing requirements by June 30,
2016, and who apply for the endorsement on or before
June 30, 2016. Individuals who hold a valid and
registered administrative certificate with a general
administrative endorsement issued under Section 21-7.1
of this Code or a Professional Educator License with a
general administrative endorsement issued prior to
September 1, 2014 and who have served for at least one
full year during the 5 years prior in a position
requiring a general administrative endorsement shall,
upon request to the State Board of Education and
through July 1, 2015, have their respective general
administrative endorsement converted to a principal
endorsement on the Professional Educator License.
Candidates shall not be admitted to an approved general
administrative preparation program after September 1,
2012.

All other individuals holding a valid and
registered administrative certificate with a general
administrative endorsement issued pursuant to Section
21-7.1 of this Code or a general administrative
endorsement on a Professional Educator License issued
prior to September 1, 2014 shall have the general
administrative endorsement converted to a principal
endorsement on a Professional Educator License upon
request to the State Board of Education and by
completing one of the following pathways:
(i) Passage of the State principal assessment
developed by the State Board of Education.
(ii) Through July 1, 2019, completion of an
Illinois Educators' Academy course designated by
the State Superintendent of Education.
(iii) Completion of a principal preparation
program established and approved pursuant to
Section 21B-60 of this Code and applicable rules.
Individuals who do not choose to convert the
general administrative endorsement on the
administrative certificate issued pursuant to Section
21-7.1 of this Code or on the Professional Educator
License shall continue to be able to serve in any
position previously allowed under paragraph (2) of
subsection (e) of Section 21-7.1 of this Code.
The general administrative endorsement on the

Professional Educator License is available only to
individuals who, prior to September 1, 2014, had such
an endorsement on the administrative certificate
issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or who
already have a Professional Educator License and have
completed a general administrative program and who do
not choose to convert the general administrative
endorsement to a principal endorsement pursuant to the
options in this Section.
(B) Principal endorsement. A principal endorsement
shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License of
any holder who qualifies by having all of the
following:
(i) Successful completion of a principal
preparation program approved in accordance with
Section 21B-60 of this Code and any applicable
rules.
(ii) At least 4 total years of teaching or,
until June 30, 2019, working in the capacity of
school support personnel in an Illinois public
school or nonpublic school recognized by the State
Board of Education or in an out-of-state public
school or out-of-state nonpublic school meeting
out-of-state recognition standards comparable to
those approved by the State Superintendent of
Education; however, the State Board of Education,

in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board, shall allow, by
rules, for fewer than 4 years of experience based
on meeting standards set forth in such rules,
including without limitation a review of
performance evaluations or other evidence of
demonstrated qualifications.
(iii) A master's degree or higher from a
regionally accredited college or university.
(C) Chief school business official endorsement. A
chief school business official endorsement shall be
affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
holder who qualifies by having a master's degree or
higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience
in school business management or 2 years of
university-approved practical experience, and a
minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a
program approved by the State Board of Education for
the preparation of school business administrators and
by passage of the applicable State tests. The chief
school business official endorsement may also be
affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in
business administration, finance, or accounting and
who completes an additional 6 semester hours of
internship in school business management from a

regionally accredited institution of higher education
and passes the applicable State tests. This
endorsement shall be required for any individual
employed as a chief school business official.
(D) Superintendent endorsement. A superintendent
endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional
Educator License of any holder who has completed a
program approved by the State Board of Education for
the preparation of superintendents of schools, has had
at least 2 years of experience employed full-time in a
general administrative position or as a full-time
principal, director of special education, or chief
school business official in the public schools or in a
State-recognized nonpublic school in which the chief
administrator is required to have the licensure
necessary to be a principal in a public school in this
State and where a majority of the teachers are required
to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a
public school in this State, and has passed the
required State tests; or of any holder who has
completed a program that is not an Illinois-approved
educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education and from out-of-state
that has a program with recognition standards
comparable to those approved by the State
Superintendent of Education and holds the general

administrative, principal, or chief school business
official endorsement and who has had 2 years of
experience as a principal, director of special
education, or chief school business official while
holding a valid educator license or certificate
comparable in validity and educational and experience
requirements and has passed the appropriate State
tests, as provided in Section 21B-30 of this Code. The
superintendent endorsement shall allow individuals to
serve only as a superintendent or assistant
superintendent.
(E) Teacher leader endorsement. It shall be the
policy of this State to improve the quality of
instructional leaders by providing a career pathway
for teachers interested in serving in leadership
roles, but not as principals. The State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board, may issue a teacher
leader endorsement under this subdivision (E). Persons
who meet and successfully complete the requirements of
the endorsement shall be issued a teacher leader
endorsement on the Professional Educator License for
serving in schools in this State. Teacher leaders may
qualify to serve in such positions as department
chairs, coaches, mentors, curriculum and instruction
leaders, or other leadership positions as defined by

the district. The endorsement shall be available to
those teachers who (i) hold a Professional Educator
License, (ii) hold a master's degree or higher from a
regionally accredited institution, (iii) have
completed a program of study that has been approved by
the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and
(iv) have taken coursework in all of the following
areas:
(I) Leadership.
(II) Designing professional development to
meet teaching and learning needs.
(III) Building school culture that focuses on
student learning.
(IV) Using assessments to improve student
learning and foster school improvement.
(V) Building collaboration with teachers and
stakeholders.
A teacher who meets the requirements set forth in
this Section and holds a teacher leader endorsement may
evaluate teachers pursuant to Section 24A-5 of this
Code, provided that the individual has completed the
evaluation component required by Section 24A-3 of this
Code and a teacher leader is allowed to evaluate
personnel under the respective school district's
collective bargaining agreement.

The State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board,
may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish
and implement the teacher leader endorsement program
and to specify the positions for which this endorsement
shall be required.
(F) Special education endorsement. A special
education endorsement in one or more areas shall be
affixed to a Professional Educator License for any
individual that meets those requirements established
by the State Board of Education in rules. Special
education endorsement areas shall include without
limitation the following:
(i) Learning Behavior Specialist I;
(ii) Learning Behavior Specialist II;
(iii) Speech Language Pathologist;
(iv) Blind or Visually Impaired;
(v) Deaf-Hard of Hearing; and
(vi) Early Childhood Special Education.
Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary,
the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may
add additional areas of special education by rule.
(G) School support personnel endorsement. School
support personnel endorsement areas shall include, but
are not limited to, school counselor, marriage and

family therapist, school psychologist, school speech
and language pathologist, school nurse, and school
social worker. This endorsement is for individuals who
are not teachers or administrators, but still require
licensure to work in an instructional support position
in a public or State-operated elementary school,
secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement
with a governing body or board of control or a charter
school operating in compliance with the Charter
Schools Law. The school support personnel endorsement
shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License
and shall meet all of the requirements established in
any rules adopted to implement this subdivision (G).
The holder of such an endorsement is entitled to all of
the rights and privileges granted holders of any other
Professional Educator License, including teacher
benefits, compensation, and working conditions.
Beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on April
30, 2014, a person holding a Professional Educator
License with a school speech and language pathologist
(teaching) endorsement may exchange his or her school
speech and language pathologist (teaching) endorsement
for a school speech and language pathologist
(non-teaching) endorsement through application to the
State Board of Education. There shall be no cost for
this exchange.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-413, eff. 8-16-13;
98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 98-872, eff. 8-11-14; 98-917, eff.
8-15-14; 98-1147, eff. 12-31-14.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
(a) This Section applies beginning on July 1, 2012.
(b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required
prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations
and indicators must be based on national and State professional
teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education may adopt
such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this
Section. No score on a test required under this Section, other
than a test of basic skills, shall be more than 10 5 years old
at the time that an individual makes application for an
educator license or endorsement.
(c) Applicants seeking a Professional Educator License or
an Educator License with Stipulations shall be required to pass
a test of basic skills before the license is issued, unless the
endorsement the individual is seeking does not require passage
of the test. All applicants completing Illinois-approved,
teacher education or school service personnel preparation

programs shall be required to pass the State Board of
Education's recognized test of basic skills prior to starting
their student teaching or starting the final semester of their
internship, unless required earlier at the discretion of the
recognized, Illinois institution in which they are completing
their approved program. An individual who passes a test of
basic skills does not need to do so again for subsequent
endorsements or other educator licenses.
(d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
(e) All applicants seeking a State license endorsed in a
teaching field shall pass the assessment of professional
teaching (APT). Passage of the APT is required for completion
of an approved Illinois educator preparation program.
(f) Beginning on September 1, 2015, all candidates
completing teacher preparation programs in this State and all
candidates subject to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required
to pass an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness
approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. All
recognized institutions offering approved teacher preparation
programs must begin phasing in the approved teacher performance

assessment no later than July 1, 2013.
(g) Tests of basic skills and content area knowledge and
the assessment of professional teaching shall be the tests that
from time to time are designated by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
and Licensure Board, and may be tests prepared by an
educational testing organization or tests designed by the State
Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board. The areas to be covered by a
test of basic skills shall include reading, language arts, and
mathematics. The test of content area knowledge shall assess
content knowledge in a specific subject field. The tests must
be designed to be racially neutral to ensure that no person
taking the tests is discriminated against on the basis of race,
color, national origin, or other factors unrelated to the
person's ability to perform as a licensed employee. The score
required to pass the tests shall be fixed by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
and Licensure Board. The tests shall be administered not fewer
than 3 times a year at such time and place as may be designated
by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this Code

in the English language and in the language of the transitional
bilingual education program requested by the applicant.
(h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
(i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
testing requirements under this Section shall include without
limitation provisions governing test selection, test
validation and determination of a passing score,
administration of the tests, frequency of administration,
applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the
years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special
accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such
rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year
in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-361, eff. 1-1-14;
98-581, eff. 8-27-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
other states or countries.
(a) All out-of-state applicants who have not been entitled
by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an
Illinois institution of higher education applying for a
Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or
school support personnel area must meet all of the following

requirements:
(1) Have completed a comparable state-approved
education program, as defined by the State Superintendent
of Education.
(2) Have a degree from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education and the degreed major or a
constructed major must directly correspond to the license
or endorsement sought.
(3) Teachers and school support Except for school
service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs, have
completed a minimum of one course in the methods of
instruction of the exceptional child. School service
personnel who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an
Illinois institution of higher education prepared by
out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements
concerning courses in the methods of instruction of the
exceptional child as in-State candidates entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program in teaching
and school support service personnel areas, as defined by
rules.
(4) Teachers and school support Except for school
service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs, have
completed a minimum of 6 semester hours of coursework in
methods of reading and reading in the content area. School
service personnel who have not been entitled by an

Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an
Illinois institution of higher education prepared by
out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements
concerning coursework in methods of reading and reading in
the content area as in-State candidates entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program in teaching
and school support service personnel areas, as defined by
rules.
(5) Teachers and school support Except for school
service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs, have
completed a minimum of one course in instructional
strategies for English language learners. School service
personnel who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an
Illinois institution of higher education prepared by
out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements
concerning courses in instructional strategies for English
language learners as in-State candidates entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program in teaching
and school support service personnel areas, as defined by
rules.
(6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination
requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a
test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
complete a test of basic skills. Applicants for a teaching

endorsement who have successfully completed an
evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as
defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
another state shall not be required to complete an
evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness.
(7) For applicants for a teaching endorsement, have
Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
experience or, for applicants for a school service
personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or an
equivalent experience.
Teachers and school support personnel who have not been
entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program
at an Illinois institution of higher education must submit
verification to the State Board of Education of having
completed coursework as required under items (3), (4), and (5)
of this subsection (a) prior to issuance of a Professional
Educator License. An individual who is not able to verify
completion of the coursework as required under items (3), (4),
and (5) of this subsection (a) may qualify for an Educator
License with Stipulations with a provisional educator
endorsement and must complete coursework in those areas
identified as deficient.
If one or more of the criteria in this subsection (a) of
this Section are not met, then applicants who have not been
entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program
at an Illinois institution of higher education out-of-state

applicants who hold a valid, comparable certificate from
another state and have passed a test of basic skills and
content area test, as required by Section 21B-20 of this Code,
may qualify for a provisional educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations, in accordance with Section
21B-20 of this Code, with the exception that an individual
shall not serve as a principal or assistant principal while
holding the provisional educator endorsement.
(b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License
endorsed in a teaching field, applicants trained in another
country must meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Have completed a comparable education program in
another country.
(2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
(3) Hold a degreed major that must directly correspond
to the license or endorsement sought.
(4) Have completed coursework a minimum of one course
in the methods of instruction of the exceptional child.
(5) Have completed a minimum of 6 semester hours of
coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content
area.
(6) Have completed coursework a minimum of one course
in instructional strategies for English language learners.
(7) Have successfully met all State licensure
examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully

completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at
the time of initial licensure in another country shall not
be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants
for a teaching endorsement who have successfully completed
an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as
defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
another country shall not be required to complete an
evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness.
(8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
experience.
Applicants trained in another country must submit
verification to the State Board of Education of having
completed coursework as required under items (4), (5), and (6)
of this subsection (b) prior to issuance of a Professional
Educator License. Individuals who are not able to verify
completion of the coursework as required under items (4), (5),
and (6) of this subsection (b) may qualify for an Educator
License with Stipulations with a provisional educator
endorsement and must complete coursework in those areas
identified as deficient.
If one or more of the these criteria in this subsection (b)
are not met, then an applicant trained in another country who
has passed a test of basic skills and content area test, as
required by Section 21B-20 of this Code, may qualify for a
provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code ,

with the exception that an individual shall not serve as a
principal or assistant principal while holding the provisional
educator endorsement.
(b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education and applicants trained in
another country applying for a Professional Educator License
endorsed for principal or superintendent must meet all of the
following requirements:
(1) Have completed an educator preparation program
approved by another state or comparable educator program in
another country leading to the receipt of a license or
certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.
(2) Have successfully met all State licensure
examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of
this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a
test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
initial licensure in another state or country shall not be
required to complete a test of basic skills.
(3) Have received a certificate or license endorsed in
a teaching field.
A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a
superintendent or principal may be affixed to an Educator
License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of
this Code.
(b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an

Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education applying for a Professional
Educator License endorsed for chief school business official
must meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Have completed a master's degree in school business
management, finance, or accounting.
(2) Have successfully completed an internship in
school business management or have 2 years of experience as
a school business administrator.
(3) Have successfully met all State examination
requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
(4) Have successfully completed modules in reading
methods, special education, and English Learners.
A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a chief
school business official may be affixed to an Educator License
with Stipulations.
(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-40)
Sec. 21B-40. Fees.
(a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system
established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall
be charged to applicants:

(1) A $75 application fee for a Professional Educator
License or an Educator License with Stipulations and for
individuals seeking a Substitute Teaching License.
However, beginning on January 1, 2015, the application fee
for a Professional Educator License, Educator License with
Stipulations, or Substitute Teaching License shall be
$100.
(2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have not
been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
program at an Illinois institution of higher education
completed an approved educator preparation program outside
of this State or who hold a valid, comparable credential
from another state or country and are seeking any of the
licenses set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection
(a).
(3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or
approval an individual holding a license wishes to add to
that license.
(4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course of
the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be
paid to the regional office of education having supervision
and control over the school in which the individual holding
the license is to be employed. If the individual holding
the license is not yet employed, then the license may be
registered in any county in this State. The registration
fee must be paid in its entirety the first time the

individual registers the license for a particular validity
period in a single region. No additional fee may be charged
for that validity period should the individual
subsequently register the license in additional regions.
An individual must register the license (i) immediately
after initial issuance of the license and (ii) at the
beginning of each renewal cycle if the individual has
satisfied the renewal requirements required under this
Code.
(b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1)
through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be
deposited into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and
shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of
Education to provide the technology and human resources
necessary for the timely and efficient processing of
applications and for the renewal of licenses. Funds available
from the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund may also be
used by the State Board of Education to support the recruitment
and retention of educators, to support educator preparation
programs as they seek national accreditation, and to provide
professional development aligned with the requirements set
forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code. A majority of the funds
in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund must be dedicated
to the timely and efficient processing of applications and for
the renewal of licenses. The Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
Fund is not subject to administrative charge transfers,

authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, from the
Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund into any other fund of
this State, and moneys in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
Fund shall not revert back to the General Revenue Fund at any
time.
The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the
registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of
subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund
established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.
(c) The State Board of Education and each regional office
of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience
fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license
fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the
amount required by the credit card processing company or vendor
that has entered into a contract with the State Board or
regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee must
be paid to that company or vendor.
(d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21
of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this
Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of
the validity period of the certificate and these years have not
expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees must
be applied to the registration of the new license.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-610, eff. 12-27-13.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-45)

Sec. 21B-45. Professional Educator License renewal.
(a) Individuals holding a Professional Educator License
are required to complete the licensure renewal requirements as
specified in this Section, unless otherwise provided in this
Code.
Individuals holding a Professional Educator License shall
meet the renewal requirements set forth in this Section, unless
otherwise provided in this Code. If an individual holds a
license endorsed in more than one area that has different
renewal requirements, that individual shall follow the renewal
requirements for the position for which he or she spends the
majority of his or her time working.
(b) All Professional Educator Licenses not renewed as
provided in this Section shall lapse on September 1 of that
year. Lapsed licenses may be immediately reinstated upon (i)
payment by the applicant of a $500 penalty to the State Board
of Education or, for individuals holding an Educator License
with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement
only, payment by the applicant of a $150 penalty to the State
Board of Education or (ii) the demonstration of proficiency by
completing 9 semester hours of coursework from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education in the content area
that most aligns with one or more of the educator's endorsement
areas. Any and all back fees, including without limitation
registration fees owed from the time of expiration of the
certificate until the date of reinstatement, shall be paid and

kept in accordance with the provisions in Article 3 of this
Code concerning an institute fund and the provisions in Article
21B of this Code concerning fees and requirements for
registration. Licenses not registered in accordance with
Section 21B-40 of this Code shall lapse after a period of 6
months from the expiration of the last year of registration. An
unregistered license is invalid after September 1 for
employment and performance of services in an Illinois public or
State-operated school or cooperative and in a charter school.
Any license or endorsement may be voluntarily surrendered by
the license holder. A voluntarily surrendered license, except a
substitute teaching license issued under Section 21B-20 of this
Code, shall be treated as a revoked license. An Educator
License with Stipulations with only a paraprofessional
endorsement does not lapse.
(c) From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in order to
satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal provided for in
this Section, each professional educator licensee with an
administrative endorsement who is working in a position
requiring such endorsement shall complete one Illinois
Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of
this Code, per fiscal year.
(d) Beginning July 1, 2014, in order to satisfy the
requirements for licensure renewal provided for in this
Section, each professional educator licensee may create a
professional development plan each year. The plan shall address

one or more of the endorsements that are required of his or her
educator position if the licensee is employed and performing
services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or
cooperative. If the licensee is employed in a charter school,
the plan shall address that endorsement or those endorsements
most closely related to his or her educator position. Licensees
employed and performing services in any other Illinois schools
may participate in the renewal requirements by adhering to the
same process.
Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
licensee's professional development activities shall align
with one or more of the following criteria:
(1) activities are of a type that engage participants
over a sustained period of time allowing for analysis,
discovery, and application as they relate to student
learning, social or emotional achievement, or well-being;
(2) professional development aligns to the licensee's
performance;
(3) outcomes for the activities must relate to student
growth or district improvement;
(4) activities align to State-approved standards; and
(5) higher education coursework.
(e) For each renewal cycle, each professional educator
licensee shall engage in professional development activities.
Prior to renewal Within 60 days after the conclusion of a
professional development activity, the licensee shall enter

electronically into the Educator Licensure Information System
(ELIS) the name, date, and location of the activity, the number
of professional development hours, and the provider's name. The
following provisions shall apply concerning professional
development activities:
(1) Each licensee shall complete a total of 120 hours
of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in
order to renew the license, except as otherwise provided in
this Section.
(2) Beginning with his or her first full 5-year cycle,
any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is not
working in a position requiring such endorsement shall
complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
described in Article 2 of this Code, in each 5-year renewal
cycle in which the administrative endorsement was held for
at least one year. The Illinois Administrators' Academy
course may count toward the total of 120 hours per 5-year
cycle.
(3) Any licensee with an administrative endorsement
who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or
an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in
an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall
complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
described in Article 2 of this Code, each fiscal year in
addition to 100 hours of professional development per
5-year renewal cycle in accordance with this Code.

(4) Any licensee holding a current National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) master teacher
designation shall complete a total of 60 hours of
professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order
to renew the license.
(5) Licensees working in a position that does not
require educator licensure or working in a position for
less than 50% for any particular year are considered to be
exempt and shall be required to pay only the registration
fee in order to renew and maintain the validity of the
license.
(6) Licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits
from a State retirement system shall notify the State Board
of Education using ELIS, and the license shall be
maintained in retired status. An individual with a license
in retired status shall not be required to complete
professional development activities or pay registration
fees until returning to a position that requires educator
licensure. Upon returning to work in a position that
requires the Professional Educator License, the licensee
shall immediately pay a registration fee and complete
renewal requirements for that year. A license in retired
status cannot lapse.
(7) For any renewal cycle in which professional
development hours were required, but not fulfilled, the
licensee shall complete any missed hours to total the

minimum professional development hours required in this
Section prior to September 1 of that year. For any fiscal
year or renewal cycle in which an Illinois Administrators'
Academy course was required but not completed, the licensee
shall complete any missed Illinois Administrators' Academy
courses prior to September 1 of that year. The licensee may
complete all deficient hours and Illinois Administrators'
Academy courses while continuing to work in a position that
requires that license until September 1 of that year.
(8) Any licensee who has not fulfilled the professional
development renewal requirements set forth in this Section
at the end of any 5-year renewal cycle is ineligible to
register his or her license and may submit an appeal to the
State Superintendent of Education for reinstatement of the
license.
(9) If professional development opportunities were
unavailable to a licensee, proof that opportunities were
unavailable and request for an extension of time beyond
August 31 to complete the renewal requirements may be
submitted from April 1 through June 30 of that year to the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. If an
extension is approved, the license shall remain valid
during the extension period.
(10) Individuals who hold exempt licenses prior to the
effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General
Assembly shall commence the annual renewal process with the

first scheduled registration due after the effective date
of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.
(f) At the time of renewal, each licensee shall respond to
the required questions under penalty of perjury.
(g) The following entities shall be designated as approved
to provide professional development activities for the renewal
of Professional Educator Licenses:
(1) The State Board of Education.
(2) Regional offices of education and intermediate
service centers.
(3) Illinois professional associations representing
the following groups that are approved by the State
Superintendent of Education:
(A) school administrators;
(B) principals;
(C) school business officials;
(D) teachers, including special education
teachers;
(E) school boards;
(F) school districts;
(G) parents; and
(H) school service personnel.
(4) Regionally accredited institutions of higher
education that offer Illinois-approved educator
preparation programs and public community colleges subject
to the Public Community College Act.

(5) Illinois public school districts, charter schools
authorized under Article 27A of this Code, and joint
educational programs authorized under Article 10 of this
Code for the purposes of providing career and technical
education or special education services.
(6) A not-for-profit organization that, as of the
effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General
Assembly, has had or has a grant from or a contract with
the State Board of Education to provide professional
development services in the area of English Language
Learning to Illinois school districts, teachers, or
administrators.
(7) State agencies, State boards, and State
commissions.
(h) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
shall make available professional development opportunities
that satisfy at least one of the following:
(1) increase the knowledge and skills of school and
district leaders who guide continuous professional
development;
(2) improve the learning of students;
(3) organize adults into learning communities whose
goals are aligned with those of the school and district;
(4) deepen educator's content knowledge;
(5) provide educators with research-based
instructional strategies to assist students in meeting

rigorous academic standards;
(6) prepare educators to appropriately use various
types of classroom assessments;
(7) use learning strategies appropriate to the
intended goals;
(8) provide educators with the knowledge and skills to
collaborate; or
(9) prepare educators to apply research to
decision-making.
(i) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
shall do the following:
(1) align professional development activities to the
State-approved national standards for professional
learning;
(2) meet the professional development criteria for
Illinois licensure renewal;
(3) produce a rationale for the activity that explains
how it aligns to State standards and identify the
assessment for determining the expected impact on student
learning or school improvement;
(4) maintain original documentation for completion of
activities; and
(5) provide license holders with evidence of
completion of activities.
(j) The State Board of Education shall conduct annual
audits of approved providers, except for school districts,

which shall be audited by regional offices of education and
intermediate service centers. The State Board of Education
shall complete random audits of licensees.
(1) Approved providers shall annually submit to the
State Board of Education a list of subcontractors used for
delivery of professional development activities for which
renewal credit was issued and other information as defined
by rule.
(2) Approved providers shall annually submit data to
the State Board of Education demonstrating how the
professional development activities impacted one or more
of the following:
(A) educator and student growth in regards to
content knowledge or skills, or both;
(B) educator and student social and emotional
growth; or
(C) alignment to district or school improvement
plans.
(3) The State Superintendent of Education shall review
the annual data collected by the State Board of Education,
regional offices of education, and intermediate service
centers in audits to determine if the approved provider has
met the criteria and should continue to be an approved
provider or if further action should be taken as provided
in rules.
(k) Registration fees shall be paid for the next renewal

cycle between April 1 and June 30 in the last year of each
5-year renewal cycle using ELIS. If all required professional
development hours for the renewal cycle have been completed and
entered by the licensee, the licensee shall pay the
registration fees for the next cycle using a form of credit or
debit card.
(l) Beginning July 1, 2014, any professional educator
licensee endorsed for school support personnel who is employed
and performing services in Illinois public schools and who
holds an active and current professional license issued by the
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation related to
the endorsement areas on the Professional Educator License
shall be deemed to have satisfied the continuing professional
development requirements provided for in this Section. Such
individuals shall be required to pay only registration fees to
renew the Professional Educator License. An individual who does
not hold a license issued by the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation shall complete professional
development requirements for the renewal of a Professional
Educator License provided for in this Section.
(m) Appeals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board must be made within 30 days after receipt of notice from
the State Superintendent of Education that a license will not
be renewed based upon failure to complete the requirements of
this Section. A licensee may appeal that decision to the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in a manner prescribed

by rule.
(1) Each appeal shall state the reasons why the State
Superintendent's decision should be reversed and shall be
sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
State Board of Education.
(2) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
shall review each appeal regarding renewal of a license
within 90 days after receiving the appeal in order to
determine whether the licensee has met the requirements of
this Section. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board may hold an appeal hearing or may make its
determination based upon the record of review, which shall
consist of the following:
(A) the regional superintendent of education's
rationale for recommending nonrenewal of the license,
if applicable;
(B) any evidence submitted to the State
Superintendent along with the individual's electronic
statement of assurance for renewal; and
(C) the State Superintendent's rationale for
nonrenewal of the license.
(3) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
shall notify the licensee of its decision regarding license
renewal by certified mail, return receipt requested, no
later than 30 days after reaching a decision. Upon receipt
of notification of renewal, the licensee, using ELIS, shall

pay the applicable registration fee for the next cycle
using a form of credit or debit card.
(n) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be
necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-610, eff. 12-27-13;
98-1147, eff. 12-31-14.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-50)
Sec. 21B-50. Alternative educator licensure program.
(a) There is established an alternative educator licensure
program, to be known as the Alternative Educator Licensure
Program for Teachers.
(b) Beginning on January 1, 2013, the Alternative Educator
Licensure Program for Teachers may be offered by a recognized
institution approved to offer educator preparation programs by
the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Any program offered
by a not-for-profit entity also must be approved by the Board
of Higher Education.
The program shall be comprised of 4 phases:
(1) A course of study that at a minimum includes
instructional planning; instructional strategies,
including special education, reading, and English language
learning; classroom management; and the assessment of
students and use of data to drive instruction.
(2) A year of residency, which is a candidate's

assignment to a full-time teaching position or as a
co-teacher for one full school year. An individual must
hold an Educator License with Stipulations with an
alternative provisional educator endorsement in order to
enter the residency and must complete additional program
requirements that address required State and national
standards, pass the assessment of professional teaching
before entering the second residency year, as required
under phase (3) of this subsection (b), and be recommended
by the principal and program coordinator to continue with
the second year of the residency.
(3) A second year of residency, which shall include the
candidate's assignment to a full-time teaching position
for one school year. The candidate must be assigned an
experienced teacher to act as a mentor and coach the
candidate through the second year of residency.
(4) A comprehensive assessment of the candidate's
teaching effectiveness, as evaluated by the principal and
the program coordinator, at the end of the second year of
residency. If there is disagreement between the 2
evaluators about the candidate's teaching effectiveness,
the candidate may complete one additional year of residency
teaching under a professional development plan developed
by the principal and preparation program. At the completion
of the third year, a candidate must have positive
evaluations and a recommendation for full licensure from

both the principal and the program coordinator or no
Professional Educator License shall be issued.
Successful completion of the program shall be deemed to
satisfy any other practice or student teaching and content
matter requirements established by law.
(c) An alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 2 years of
teaching in the public schools, including without limitation a
charter school, or in a State-recognized nonpublic school in
which the chief administrator is required to have the licensure
necessary to be a principal in a public school in this State
and in which a majority of the teachers are required to have
the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public school in
this State, but may be renewed for a third year if needed to
complete the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
Teachers. The endorsement shall be issued only once to an
individual who meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has graduated from a regionally accredited college
or university with a bachelor's degree or higher.
(2) Has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or
greater on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent on another scale.
(3) Has completed a major in the content area if
seeking a middle or secondary level endorsement or, if
seeking an early childhood, elementary, or special
education endorsement, has completed a major in the content
area of reading, English/language arts, mathematics, or

one of the sciences. If the individual does not have a
major in a content area for any level of teaching, he or
she must submit transcripts to the State Superintendent of
Education to be reviewed for equivalency.
(4) Has successfully completed phase (1) of subsection
(b) of this Section.
(5) Has passed a test of basic skills and content area
test required for the specific endorsement for admission
into the program, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
A candidate possessing the alternative provisional
educator endorsement may receive a salary, benefits, and any
other terms of employment offered to teachers in the school who
are members of an exclusive bargaining representative, if any,
but a school is not required to provide these benefits during
the years of residency if the candidate is serving only as a
co-teacher. If the candidate is serving as the teacher of
record, the candidate must receive a salary, benefits, and any
other terms of employment. Residency experiences must not be
counted towards tenure.
(d) The recognized institution offering the Alternative
Educator Licensure Program for Teachers must partner with a
school district, including without limitation a charter
school, or a State-recognized, nonpublic school in this State
in which the chief administrator is required to have the
licensure necessary to be a principal in a public school in

this State and in which a majority of the teachers are required
to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public
school in this State. The program presented for approval by the
State Board of Education must demonstrate the supports that are
to be provided to assist the provisional teacher during the
2-year residency period. These supports must provide
additional contact hours with mentors during the first year of
residency.
(e) Upon completion of the 4 phases outlined in subsection
(b) of this Section and all assessments required under Section
21B-30 of this Code, an individual shall receive a Professional
Educator License.
(f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to establish and implement the
Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 97-702, eff. 6-25-12.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-60)
Sec. 21B-60. Principal preparation programs.
(a) It is the policy of this State that an essential
element of improving student learning is supporting and
employing highly effective school principals in leadership
roles who improve teaching and learning and increase academic
achievement and the development of all students.
(b) No later than September 1, 2014, recognized

institutions approved by the State Board of Education, in
consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board, to offer principal preparation programs must do all of
the following:
(1) Meet the standards and requirements for such
programs in accordance with this Section and any rules
adopted by the State Board of Education, in consultation
with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
(2) Prepare candidates to meet required standards for
principal skills, knowledge, and responsibilities, which
shall include a focus on instruction and student learning
and which must be used for principal professional
development, mentoring, and evaluation.
(3) Include specific requirements for (i) the
selection and assessment of candidates, (ii) training in
the evaluation of staff, (iii) an internship, and (iv) a
partnership with one or more school districts or
State-recognized, nonpublic schools in which the chief
administrator is required to have the licensure necessary
to be a principal in a public school in this State and in
which a majority of the teachers are required to have the
licensure necessary to be instructors in a public school in
this State.
Any principal preparation program offered in whole or in
part by a not-for-profit entity must also be approved by the
Board of Higher Education.

(c) Candidates successfully completing a principal
preparation program established pursuant to this Section shall
obtain a principal endorsement on a Professional Educator
License and are eligible to work as a principal or an assistant
principal or in related or similar positions, as determined by
the State Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
(d) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to implement and administer principal
preparation programs under this Section.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-80)
Sec. 21B-80. Conviction of certain offenses as grounds for
revocation of license.
(a) As used in this Section:
"Narcotics offense" means any one or more of the following
offenses:
(1) Any offense defined in the Cannabis Control Act,
except those defined in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section
4 and subdivision (a) of Section 5 of the Cannabis Control
Act and any offense for which the holder of a license is
placed on probation under the provisions of Section 10 of
the Cannabis Control Act, provided that if the terms and
conditions of probation required by the court are not

fulfilled, the offense is not eligible for this exception.
(2) Any offense defined in the Illinois Controlled
Substances Act, except any offense for which the holder of
a license is placed on probation under the provisions of
Section 410 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act,
provided that if the terms and conditions of probation
required by the court are not fulfilled, the offense is not
eligible for this exception.
(3) Any offense defined in the Methamphetamine Control
and Community Protection Act, except any offense for which
the holder of a license is placed on probation under the
provision of Section 70 of that Act, provided that if the
terms and conditions of probation required by the court are
not fulfilled, the offense is not eligible for this
exception.
(4) Any attempt to commit any of the offenses listed in
items (1) through (3) of this definition.
(5) Any offense committed or attempted in any other
state or against the laws of the United States that, if
committed or attempted in this State, would have been
punishable as one or more of the offenses listed in items
(1) through (4) of this definition.
The changes made by Public Act 96-431 to the definition of
"narcotics offense" are declaratory of existing law.
"Sex offense" means any one or more of the following
offenses:

(A) Any offense defined in Sections 11-6, 11-9 through
11-9.5, inclusive, and 11-30, of the Criminal Code of 1961
or the Criminal Code of 2012; Sections 11-14 through 11-21,
inclusive, of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal
Code of 2012; Sections 11-23 (if punished as a Class 3
felony), 11-24, 11-25, and 11-26 of the Criminal Code of
1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; and Sections 11-1.20,
11-1.30, 11-1.40, 11-1.50, 11-1.60, 12-4.9, 12-13, 12-14,
12-14.1, 12-15, 12-16, 12-32, 12-33, and 12C-45, and 26-4
(if punished pursuant to subdivision (4) or (5) of
subsection (d) of Section 26-4) of the Criminal Code of
1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012.
(B) Any attempt to commit any of the offenses listed in
item (A) of this definition.
(C) Any offense committed or attempted in any other
state that, if committed or attempted in this State, would
have been punishable as one or more of the offenses listed
in items (A) and (B) of this definition.
(b) Whenever the holder of any license issued pursuant to
this Article has been convicted of any sex offense or narcotics
offense, the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith
suspend the license. If the conviction is reversed and the
holder is acquitted of the offense in a new trial or the
charges against him or her are dismissed, the State
Superintendent of Education shall forthwith terminate the
suspension of the license. When the conviction becomes final,

the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith revoke
the license.
(c) Whenever the holder of a license issued pursuant to
this Article has been convicted of attempting to commit,
conspiring to commit, soliciting, or committing first degree
murder or a Class X felony or any offense committed or
attempted in any other state or against the laws of the United
States that, if committed or attempted in this State, would
have been punishable as one or more of the foregoing offenses,
the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith suspend
the license. If the conviction is reversed and the holder is
acquitted of that offense in a new trial or the charges that he
or she committed that offense are dismissed, the State
Superintendent of Education shall forthwith terminate the
suspension of the license. When the conviction becomes final,
the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith revoke
the license.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; incorporates 96-1551, eff.
7-1-11; 97-1109, eff. 1-1-13; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)
(105 ILCS 5/27-9) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-9)
Sec. 27-9. Training teachers to teach physical education.
The curriculum in all elementary educator preparation programs
approved by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
State universities shall contain instruction courses in
methods and materials of physical education and training for

teachers. No teacher candidate student or elementary school
teacher shall be graduated from such an educator preparation
program a university who has not successfully completed
instruction had a minimum of 1 course in methods and materials
in the teaching of physical education and training, whether by
way of a specific course or as incorporated in existing courses
taught in the educator preparation program.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)
(105 ILCS 5/27-17) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-17)
Sec. 27-17. Safety education. School boards of public
schools and all boards in charge of educational institutions
supported wholly or partially by the State may provide
instruction in safety education in all grades and include such
instruction in the courses of study regularly taught therein.
In this section "safety education" means and includes
instruction in the following:
1. automobile safety, including traffic regulations,
highway safety, and the consequences of alcohol
consumption and the operation of a motor vehicle;
2. safety in the home;
3. safety in connection with recreational activities;
4. safety in and around school buildings;
5. safety in connection with vocational work or
training;
6. cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for students

enrolled in grades 9 through 11; and
7. for students enrolled in grades 6 through 8,
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and how to use an automated
external defibrillator by watching a training video on
those subjects.
Such boards may make suitable provisions in the schools and
institutions under their jurisdiction for instruction in
safety education for not less than 16 hours during each school
year.
The curriculum in all educator preparation programs
approved by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
State universities shall contain instruction in safety
education for teachers that is appropriate to the grade level
of the educator license teaching certificate. This instruction
may be by specific courses in safety education or may be
incorporated in existing subjects taught in the educator
preparation program university.
(Source: P.A. 96-734, eff. 8-25-09; 97-714, eff. 6-28-12.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
2015.