PARAPROFESSIONAL LICENSE INFORMATION

Requirements:

  • At least 19 years of age to serve students in prekindergarten through grade 12.

  • Beginning January 1, 2023, you may qualify for the ELS-Paraprofessional license by meeting the requirements outlined below at age 18 but only may serve in prekindergarten through grade 8.

  • One of the following required:

    • Associate’s degree or higher

    • 60 semester hours of coursework

    • High School Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Parapro

    • High School Diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT Workkeys:

      • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)

      • Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)

Years Valid: 5

Limitations: Must work under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher

Renewable? May be renewed with payment of registration fees

Notes: 

  • ​If you hold a Paraprofessional License and have a Bachelor’s Degree on file, you are qualified to be a substitute teacher.

  • Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.​​​​

To set up the ACT Work Keys Test contact the Danville Area Community College Testing Center - 217-443-8708 or Book Online. If you book your test online please follow the instructions listed on the Appointment Locator page for the WorkKeys test.

The WorkKeys test can also be taken at the Rural Champaign County Special Education Cooperative. Fill out the form here to request an appointment.

To set up the ETS Parapro test at KCC, schedule your test by emailing the Testing Center at paraprotest@kcc.edu. Tests are typically offered on the first Thursday of every month by confirmed appointments only.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EDUCATOR LICENSE WITH STIPULATIONS - PARAPROFESSIONAL - ELS (PARA)

Download a Substitute and Paraprofessional License Checklist here.

1. Individuals applying for an Educator License with Stipulations - ELS (Para) - must use ELIS on the Illinois State Board of Education website, www.isbe.net. At the top of the page, click on Log Into ELIS. In the Educator Access box, click on "Log in to your ELIS account." On the next page, on the left-hand side, click on "Click Here For First Time Access To The ELIS System." 

2. On your Homepage, under your Action Center box, click on “Apply for a Credential.” On the next screen, click Paraprofessional License (Teacher's Aide). Continue the wizard. You will pay a $100 application fee, plus a service charge with a credit or debit card. *If you need help, please refer to the video How to Apply for a Paraprofessional License. 

3. Submit documentation to meet one of the following criteria:

  • Associate’s degree or higher

  • 60 semester hours of coursework*

  • High School Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Parapro

  • High School Diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT Workkeys:

    • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)

    • Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)

Official, sealed transcripts from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may be mailed to the Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education at 3358 Big Pine Trail, Champaign, IL 61822, or the university may e-mail transcripts to Jenn Diercks - jdiercks@roe9.org. *Educators with degrees from outside of the United States will need to submit an official Foreign Credential Evaluation.

Transcripts can also be mailed to the Illinois State Board of Education, 100 N. First St., S-306, Springfield, IL 62777-001. 

Please Note If your name on transcripts is different from your current name, please send Jenn Diercks an email that lists your maiden and married names, along with your IEIN Number. This makes it easier to match up the documents with the correct ELIS account. ISBE will need you to submit the Licensure Update Request Form along with documentation of the name change. This form and documentation can be emailed to Jenn Diercks to be added to your ELIS account.

4. Once the Educator License with Stipulations - ELS (Para)- is issued, You will need to log back in to your ELIS account to register the license. Registration is $5 per year. The registration fee is $25/$30, plus a service charge. Make sure to register your license in Region 09.