To become a substitute teacher in Illinois, you’ll need to get the right license through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), meet education and background requirements, and then apply with school districts or agencies.

How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Illinois (Quick Scoop)

Step 1: Choose Your License Type

Illinois has two main substitute options.

  • Standard Substitute License (SUB)
    • Requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, or being enrolled in an approved Illinois educator program with at least 90 semester credit hours completed.
* Valid for **5 years** and can be renewed for a fee.

* Allows you to sub in **pre‑K through grade 12** in public schools.
  • Short-Term Substitute License (STS)
    • Requires at least an associate degree or 60 college credit hours.
* Typically limited to **no more than 5 consecutive days** for the same teacher and is **not renewable**.

* Also obtained through ISBE, with a separate application option in the online system.

If you already hold a Professional Educator License (PEL), you usually don’t need a separate substitute license.

Step 2: Create Your ELIS Account and Apply

Illinois manages educator licenses through the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).

  1. Go to the ELIS portal from the ISBE site and create an account if you don’t have one.
  1. From your Action Center , choose “Apply for a substitute or short-term substitute license.”
  1. Complete the online application form and answer the required background questions.
  1. Pay the application fee :
    • About $50 for the standard substitute license.
 * About **$25** for the short-term substitute license.

Some ISBE guidance notes that the application fee may be reimbursed after you work a minimum number of substitute days (for example, 10 days), but you must check the current policy with your Regional Office of Education (ROE) or district.

Step 3: Send Your Transcripts

Your license application isn’t complete until your official college transcripts are on file.

  • Request official transcripts from each college or university where you earned credits that count toward your degree or hour requirement.
  • Transcripts must be sent either:
    • Electronically to an official ISBE address (such as the licensure transcript email), or
    • By mail, in a sealed envelope directly from the institution to ISBE or your ROE, using the address listed in ISBE guidance.
  • Many schools take several business days and may charge a small fee, so it’s worth requesting them early.

Once transcripts are received and matched to your ELIS account, ISBE can review and issue your license.

Step 4: Complete Background & Health Requirements

Even after your license is approved, school districts and ROEs will require additional clearances before you can work.

Typical requirements include:

  • Fingerprint-based background check
    • Often processed through a vendor or your Regional Office of Education, using state and federal criminal databases.
  • TB test or TB risk assessment
    • Many districts require a recent tuberculosis test or formal risk assessment before working with students.
  • Physical exam
    • Some employers require a general physical to verify fitness to work in a school setting.
  • Employment eligibility verification (I‑9)
    • You must show documentation proving you’re authorized to work in the U.S. and complete an I‑9 form.

Each district or staffing agency (like Kelly Education or Swing Education) may have extra steps , such as its own background forms, training modules, or new‑hire orientation.

Step 5: Apply to Districts or Agencies

Once licensed and cleared, you still need to get hired or onboarded.

Common paths:

  • Apply directly to local school districts
    • Look for “Substitute Teacher” postings on district websites and follow their HR instructions (online application, reference checks, orientation).
  • Register with your Regional Office of Education (ROE)
    • Some ROEs maintain substitute lists or packets that help coordinate between districts.
  • Work through staffing platforms (e.g., Swing, Kelly)
    • Companies like Swing Education or Kelly Education help place substitutes in multiple schools, and guide you through onboarding.

A typical onboarding flow includes: completing an application, uploading your license and transcripts, passing background checks, and attending a short orientation or training.

What It’s Like & Current Context

Substitute teaching in Illinois has stayed in demand, especially since districts continue to manage staffing gaps and occasional short‑notice absences.

  • Many subs appreciate the flexibility : you can often choose which days and grade levels you accept.
  • Pay rates vary by district and by region, and some offer higher daily rates for long‑term assignments.
  • Recent guidance emphasizes understanding your legal responsibilities , including student safety, mandatory reporting duties, and following district policies while you are in charge of a classroom.

A simple example: someone with a psychology bachelor’s degree gets the SUB license, registers with their ROE and two nearby districts, completes fingerprints and TB test, and within a few weeks begins taking short daily assignments in elementary schools.

Quick Checklist

  • Meet education requirement:
    • Bachelor’s degree or 90+ hours in an approved Illinois educator program for the standard license, or
    • Associate degree or 60+ hours for short-term license.
  • Create ELIS account and submit online application.
  • Pay license fee (around $50 for SUB, $25 for STS).
  • Send official transcripts to ISBE/ROE.
  • Complete fingerprints, TB test, physical, I‑9 as required by your hiring body.
  • Apply to districts, ROEs, or agencies and finish their onboarding steps.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.