Subsequent teaching endorsements can be added to an educator’s Professional Education
license (PEL). The College of Education at Chicago State University offers most courses
to meet the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) endorsement requirements, which
are subject to change. Up to date ISBE endorsement information is available at this link.
The most commonly-requested endorsements include Driver Education & Safety, Health
Education, Physical Education, Library Information Specialist, and Learning Behavior
Specialist I.
The Office of Licensure Services can assist teachers in identifying which courses
at CSU meet specific endorsement requirements. Contact the Office of Licensure Services
to set up an appointment to review your transcript and/or your ISBE deficiency statement.
Licensed teachers may qualify for a waiver of formal admission to the College if they
provide a current State of Illinois Professional Educator License to the Licensure
Services Office, along with an application. The following licenses do not qualify
for this exemption: substitute, transitional bilingual, provisional, vocational, administrative
or school service personnel. If the teacher registers for a course that has a field
experience requirement, they may submit proof of employment in a school setting and
evidence to demonstrate a "clear" background check to satisfy the background check
requirement.
All professional educator licensure programs require passing a state licensure content
area test. The Learning Behavior Specialist I program also requires passing the Special
Education General Curriculum Test. Teacher educator initial licensure programs also
require an Assessment of Professional Teaching (edTPA). All state licensure tests
are required at specific times in the educator preparation programs.
The state licensure content area tests are administered by the Illinois Licensure
Testing System (ILTS). Registration, information, and study guides can be found here.
Content-Area Test
When?
Initial Licensure Teacher Education Programs
Must pass before student teaching.
Advanced programs
Must pass before specified internship: please check with your program for requirement.
240 = passing score
Assessment of Professional Teaching (edTPA)
Who?
Initial Licensure Programs
When?
Must pass before completing student teaching.
Special Education General Curriculum Test
When?
Initial LBS I program
Must pass before student teaching.
Advanced LBS I program
Must take after completing first three courses (SED 5304,5476,5477); if not passed,
student must complete ELED methods courses then retake; Must pass before completing
SED 5492.
240 = passing score
Test Schedules, Registration, Frameworks, Scoring Information, and Study Guides can
be found HERE.

Candidates with an Out of State Educator License
- Illinois offers full reciprocity for all endorsements listed on a valid, comparable
out-of-state license. To add subsequent endorsements to your Professional Educator
License (PEL) via reciprocity, please apply for the endorsement through your Educator
Licensure Information System (ELIS) account and provide a copy of your valid, comparable
out-of-state license. More information is available on the Illinois State Board of Education website.