Substitute Teachers/License
A Substitute Teaching License (SUB) may be issued to anyone who holds bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. They are valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years. They can be renewed. There is no limit on the number of days that a person who holds a Substitute Teaching License can teach in a single school district, provided that no substitute teacher may teach for more than 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same school year.
A teacher who holds a Professional Educator License (PEL), may substitute teach for up to 120 school days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same school year.
Short Term Substitute Teaching License:
A Short Term Substitute License (STS) may be issued to anyone who holds an Associate’s Degree, or who has completed 60 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
Cannot teach for more than 5 consecutive days per licensed teacher.
Must complete a training program provided by the school board.
Can serve as a Paraprofessional
On June 29, 2023, Governor Pritzker signed SB 2390 (now PA-103-0111) into law. It is effective immediately. The law provides an extension for the Short-Term substitute teacher application availability. The application is now available through June 30, 2028 rather than June 30, 2023. Once issued, the license is valid for five years. Educators who currently hold short-term substitute teaching licenses with an expiration date of June 30, 2023 can renew the license for a five-year period in their Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) accounts by logging into their ELIS accounts on or after July 1, 2023 and clicking on the “Renewals” link in their Action Center. There is no fee for renewing a Short-Term substitute license. If you need any help, please email Mary Escamilla (mescamilla@roe47.org).