State law allows individuals to teach in non-public and charter schools without a teaching license. However, many of these schools choose to require that some or all of their teachers hold such relevant licensure.
State law also allows individuals who do not hold a teaching license to teach on a substitute license. Substitute licenses may be issued to individuals who meet the general requirements for certification in Illinois; i.e., be 19 years of age, be a citizen of or legally present in the United States, and have good character and sound health; and have either a bachelor's degree or two years of teaching experience plus 60 hours of college credit, including six semester hours of professional education courses.
Substitute licenses are also issued to individuals who meet the general requirements for certification and have a license valid for teaching in the public schools.
Some individuals who do not have a license may be eligible for a transitional bilingual education certificate. This license has a limited period of validity during which the holder must work toward full licensure. It is available to individuals who have a bachelor-equivalent degree from the U.S. or a foreign country; or who have held a valid certificate or comparable teaching authorization from another state, territory or foreign country; and who can meet specified language requirements in English and another language.
For more information, contact a Regional Office of Education or the State Board of Education.