Substitute Teaching Information

 A substitute license is valid for substitute teaching in all grades of public school PK-22 for an unlimited number of days. However, educators with a Substitute License cannot teach more than 90 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher in the same school year. A substitute teacher who holds a Professional Educator License cannot teach more than 120 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher in the same school year. A Short-Term Sub holder cannot teach more than 5 consecutive paid school days per licensed teacher in the same school year. If you hold a valid Professional Educator License, Educator License With Stipulations, or Paraprofessional License and hold a bachelor’s degree, you are qualified to be a substitute teacher. You do not need to hold a substitute teaching license. 

Requirements to Receive a Substitute License

In order to be a substitute teacher, you must meet one of the following options:

OPTION 1:
Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
Submit a substitute teaching application in ELIS
OPTION 2:
Actively enrolled in an approved educator preparation program through a regionally accredited institution in Illinois
Have recently completed (within the last semester) at least 90 semester hours of coursework as a part of the approved Illinois educator preparation program
Transfer coursework may be used towards the 90 semester hours if accepted by the Illinois educator preparation program
Have a Professional Educator License in pre-completion status on your ELIS account
Submit a substitute teaching application in ELIS

Apply for Your Substitute License

Requirements to Receive a Short-Term Substitute License

In order to be a short-term substitute (STS), you must hold an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or show completion of 60 semester hours of coursework.

• Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of public school PK-22.​
• Available for application through June 30, 2028.
• Short-term Substitute Licenses are valid for 5 years.
• Must complete a training program provided by the school board.​
• Can​ serve as a Paraprofessional​.
• Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher fro​m a regionally accredited college or university.

Apply for your STS license 

Short-Term Substitute (STS) Teacher Training

Short-Term Substitute (STS) Teacher Training is required for individuals who want to pursue a Short-Term Substitute teaching license. Applicants for a STS teaching license must hold an Associate degree or have completed at least 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Curriculum, classroom management techniques, school safety, and general district/building operations will be covered during the training. Please join us to start your journey toward becoming a short-term substitute teacher!

After completion of this training, participants will need to apply for and be granted a valid STS Teaching license with the Illinois State Board of Education. Once an STS license is obtained, the license holder can apply with any public school district statewide for a short-term substitute position. Please visit specific district websites to look for job opportunities. All hiring will be determined by individual school districts.

License Reimbursement

If you have a substitute license (or STS license) issued AFTER July 1, 2017, you may qualify for reimbursement of the substitute license application fee. In efforts to reduce the substitute teacher shortage, ISBE offers a reimbursement of the application fee to qualifying applicants. To qualify:

• Your sub issuance date must be later than July 1, 2017
• You must work at least 10 full school days within one year of your issuance date
• You must apply for the reimbursement within 18 months of your issuance date

If you meet these requirements, please print and complete this ISBE form.

Once you complete the form, give it to the school or district official where you are working. The form must be returned to ISBE by the school or district official. Forms submitted by the applicant will not be honored.