§ 21B-35

Minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries. (a) Any applicant who has 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 the following requirements: (1) the applicant must: (A) hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate, as defined by rule, with similar grade level and content area credentials from another state, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and content area credentials from another state; (B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; (C) (blank); and (D) have successfully passed all State examinations required by Section 21B-30; or (2) the applicant must: (A) have completed a state-approved program for the licensure area sought. Until July 1, 2027 or the date that the revised test for a particular content area is implemented, whichever is later, the program must include coursework concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child, (ii) methods of reading that align with all applicable standards set forth in Part 23 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and reading in the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners; (B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; (C) have successfully met all Illinois examination requirements, except that: (i) (blank); (ii) an applicant who has successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state is not required to complete a test of content; and (iii) an applicant for a teaching endorsement who has successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state is not required to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness; and (D) for an applicant for a teaching endorsement, have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or, for an applicant for a school service personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or an equivalent experience. (b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area, 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) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. (4) Until July 1, 2027 or the date that the revised test for a particular content area is implemented, whichever is later, have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child, (ii) methods of reading that align with all applicable standards set forth in Part 26 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and reading in the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners. Applicants seeking a school support personnel endorsement are exempt from this paragraph (4). (5) (Blank). (6) (Blank). (7) Have successfully met all State licensure examination requirements. (8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience. (9) (Blank). (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 hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or 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. (2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by rule. (3) (Blank). (4) Until July 1, 2027 or the date that the revised test for a particular content area is implemented, whichever is later, have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child, (ii) methods of reading that align with all applicable standards set forth in Part 26 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and reading in the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners. (4.5) (Blank). (5) Have completed a master's degree. (6) Have successfully completed teaching, school support, or administrative experience as defined by rule. (b-7) 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 Director of Special Education must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all of the following requirements: (1) Have completed a master's degree. (2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing special education services. (3) Have successfully completed all examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. (4) Until July 1, 2027 or the date that the revised test for a particular content area is implemented, whichever is later, have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional child, (ii) methods of reading that align with all applicable standards set forth in Part 26 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code and reading in the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for English learners. (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 hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or 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) (Blank). (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.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 103-402, eff. 7-28-23; 104-128, eff. 1-1-26 .)