Illinois Teacher Reciprocity Agreements
Illinois grants reciprocity to out-of-state teachers through the Professional Educator License (PEL), but the rules changed on January 1, 2026. Applicants with a valid, comparable out-of-state license no longer qualify on that license alone. Every reciprocity applicant must now also pass the applicable Illinois content area test through the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) before the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will issue the PEL.
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Illinois still recognizes teaching credentials earned in other states, but reciprocity no longer means an automatic license swap. Effective January 1, 2026, ISBE requires every out-of-state applicant to pass the Illinois content area test for each endorsement they want on their license, in addition to holding a valid, comparable out-of-state credential. The change comes from Senate Bill 1947, signed into law on August 1, 2025, and applies to any application ISBE receives on or after the effective date. If you’re looking into becoming a teacher in Illinois more broadly, the Illinois teaching certification overview covers every licensure path, not just reciprocity.
How Illinois Teacher Reciprocity Works
Out-of-state teachers apply for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) through the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS), ISBE’s online portal for all licensure applications. To qualify through reciprocity, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and a valid, comparable teaching license from another state or U.S. territory. If you don’t yet hold an out-of-state teaching license, reciprocity isn’t the right path. See alternative teaching certification in Illinois instead. ISBE reviews each out-of-state license to confirm it’s equivalent to an Illinois PEL under Part 25 of the Illinois Administrative Code.
ISBE no longer completes licensure or testing verification forms by mail or email. Instead, license and credential verification happens directly through your ELIS account, where ISBE reviewers can see your submitted documents and out-of-state license information.
What You’ll Need to Submit
Set up an ELIS account first, then submit a copy of your valid out-of-state teaching license and official transcripts showing your bachelor’s degree. If you completed your teacher preparation program outside the United States, you’ll also need a credential evaluation from an ISBE-approved agency confirming U.S. degree equivalency.
The New Content Area Test Requirement
This is the biggest change for out-of-state applicants. For any application submitted on or after January 1, 2026, you must pass the Illinois content area test for every teaching endorsement area listed on your out-of-state license, registered and taken through ILTS. Testing waivers aren’t available to reciprocity applicants seeking a teaching endorsement, and ISBE only accepts scores sent directly from ILTS or Pearson. Before this rule, a valid out-of-state license was often enough on its own. Now, the content test is required, not optional. The testing requirement is endorsement-specific: applicants seeking a school support personnel endorsement who already hold an active, valid professional license in that same subject area are exempt from the content test for that endorsement, under Senate Bill 1947.
States With NASDTEC Reciprocity Agreements With Illinois
Illinois is a member of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, and the states below have signed reciprocity agreements with Illinois. NASDTEC membership can change, so if you don’t see your state or want to confirm your current status, check ISBE’s licensure page directly. Holding a valid license from one of these states means you meet the license-equivalency portion of the requirements, but you’ll still need to complete the ELIS application and pass the required Illinois content area test under the current rules.
| State | State | State | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Kansas | New Hampshire | South Dakota |
| Arizona | Kentucky | New Jersey | Tennessee |
| Arkansas | Louisiana | New Mexico | Texas |
| California | Maine | New York | Utah |
| Colorado | Maryland | North Carolina | Vermont |
| Connecticut | Massachusetts | North Dakota | Virginia |
| Delaware | Michigan | Ohio | Washington |
| Florida | Mississippi | Oklahoma | West Virginia |
| Georgia | Missouri | Oregon | Wisconsin |
| Hawaii | Montana | Pennsylvania | Wyoming |
| Idaho | Nebraska | Rhode Island | |
| Indiana | Nevada | South Carolina |
For more information about the process of becoming certified as an out-of-state teacher, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s licensure page, or call 866-262-6663.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need to pass an Illinois content test if I already hold a valid out-of-state teaching license?
Yes, for teaching endorsements. As of January 1, 2026, reciprocity applicants must pass the Illinois content-area test for each teaching endorsement they seek, even with a valid, comparable out-of-state license. One narrow exception applies: applicants seeking a school support personnel endorsement who already hold an active, valid professional license in that same subject area are exempt from the content test for that endorsement.
What license do I receive through reciprocity in Illinois?
Illinois issues a Professional Educator License (PEL), the credential required to teach, provide school support services, or work as an administrator in Illinois public schools and approved non-public programs.
How do I apply for reciprocity in Illinois?
You apply through ELIS, the Educator Licensure Information System. You’ll submit a copy of your out-of-state license, official transcripts, and, for applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, your Illinois content area test scores sent directly from ILTS or Pearson.
Is my state on the list of Illinois reciprocity agreements enough to guarantee I’ll be licensed?
Being from a NASDTEC member state with an agreement with Illinois means ISBE will consider your out-of-state license comparable, but it doesn’t waive the content-area test requirement. You’ll still need to complete the ELIS application and meet all current licensure requirements.
Does Illinois still verify out-of-state licenses by phone, mail, or email?
No. ISBE no longer completes licensure or testing verification forms by mail or email. Verification now happens through your ELIS account and the Administrator Portal.
- Reciprocity now requires a content test — since January 1, 2026, every out-of-state applicant must pass the applicable Illinois content area test through ILTS, regardless of how long they’ve held their out-of-state license.
- The credential is the PEL — Illinois issues a Professional Educator License, not a generic teaching certificate, and it must include an endorsement in a designated licensure area.
- Applications go through ELIS — the Educator Licensure Information System is the required portal for submitting your out-of-state license, transcripts, and test scores.
- A NASDTEC agreement isn’t a guarantee — it confirms license equivalency, but you still need to complete the full ELIS application and testing requirements.
Find accredited teacher certification programs and endorsement-area coursework that can help you meet Illinois’s licensing requirements.
