Undergraduate/Initial Teaching Certification

To obtain your initial teaching certification, you must complete an approved teacher education program, have been awarded a bachelor's degree, pass the appropriate Illinois certification tests, obtain an official transcript, and apply for and then register your certification.

Take required certification tests

All candidates for teaching certificates in Illinois must pass tests in the basic skills of reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics; content knowledge in the specific major field; and the Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT). In addition, Special Education teacher candidates must pass the Special Education General Curriculum Test. Learn more about these tests.

Order official transcripts

You should order an official transcript to be sent you once your degree is posted. You will also need official transcripts from any other institution from which you have received credit.

Apply for your certificate

Once your final semester's grades are recorded, your record audited, and the degree posted, Illinois State will notify the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) that you have completed an entitlement program. You will receive a letter (see example - pdf) from Illinois State University Evaluation Services verifying completion of your approved program and providing instructions on how to apply for your certificate directly through the online ISBE Educator Certification System (ECS).

Students who are not United States citizens or who are unable to apply for a teaching certificate online will need to complete the Application for Teaching Certificate Form (ISBE form 73-03C) and file it with Illinois State University Evaluation Services during the last semester before graduation. Non-citizens will need to complete the Notice of Intent to Become a United States Citizen (ISBE form 73-03C) and also provide a copy of their employment authorization (green card) and evidence of being in the country legally.

Register your certificate

You will need to register your certificate at the Regional Office of Education in the county in which you are planning to teach. You may do this online through the ISBE Educator Certification System (ECS).