Substitute Teaching

ISBE Educator Licensure
Become a Substitute Teacher
Short Term Sub Training
Substitute License Checklist

A substitute teacher, or sub, teaches and supervises students in the event that their regular teacher is unable to lead class. Their duties include managing classroom behavior, quickly interpreting lesson plans and creating reports to inform the students’ permanent teacher of their success.

Illinois Licensed Teachers as Subs

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. If you wish to sub, you need to be fingerprinted as a sub and have a physical from within the last 90 days in order to apply for substitute teaching jobs within ROE 33. 

Retired Teachers as Subs

Any retiree that wants to be on the sub list for the ROE will have the same requirements as any other sub as far as providing updated physical/statement of good health and fingerprinting.

To become a Sub if you do not currently hold an Illinois Teaching License:

​​Requirements:

  1. Must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
  2. Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12

    Substitute licenses are valid for 5 years, and may be renewed with the payment of registration fees.​

 

*Note:  Individuals who hold a lapsed Professional Educator License (PEL) and owed professional development are not eligible to obtain a substitute teaching license.  The PEL must be reinstated. 

If the PEL is lapsed and you do not owe professional development, you may obtain a substitute teaching license.

Short Term Sub License

​​Requirements:

1. 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.

*Notes:

  • Valid for substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12.
  • Short-Term Substitute licenses are valid until June 30, 2023, and may not be renewed.
  • Cannot teach more than 5 consecutive days per licensed teacher.
  • Must complete a training program provided by the school board.​ Can​ serve as a Paraprofessional​.
  • Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

How do I apply for a substitute teaching license?

To apply, individuals may submit an application online at www.isbe.net in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).

A $50 fee will be assessed electronically when the application is submitted.

After submitting their application, individuals should have an official transcript from their college showing an awarded bachelor’s degree sent to ISBE or to the Regional Office of Education #33, 121 S. Prairie St. Galesburg, IL  61401 Attn. Brittany Stegall.

You can call (309) 715-7320 if you have questions.

To be valid for teaching, a substitute license must be registered in ELIS after it is issued.

To be a substitute teacher in the Regional Office of Education #33, Henderson-Knox-Mercer-Warren Counties, you must be fingerprinted for our region and have a recent physical (within 3 months of application). 

Please call (309) 734-6822 or (309) 345-3828 for further details.