105 ILCS 5/21B-35
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 105 - SCHOOLS|105 ILCS 5/ - School Code.|Article 21B - Educator Licensure

Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries.(a) Any applicant who has not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area must meet the following requirements:(1)  the applicant must:(A) hold a comparable and valid educator license         or certificate, as defined by rule, with similar grade level and content area credentials from another state, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and content area credentials from another state;(B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally         accredited institution of higher education; and(C) (blank); or(2) the applicant must:(A) have completed a state-approved program for         the licensure area sought, including coursework concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners;(B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally         accredited institution of higher education;(C) have successfully met all Illinois         examination requirements, except that:(i) (blank);(ii) an applicant who has successfully             completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state is not required to complete a test of content; and(iii) an applicant for a teaching endorsement             who has successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state is not required to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness; and(D) for an applicant for a teaching endorsement,         have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or, for an applicant for a school service personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or an equivalent experience.(b)  In order to receive a Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area, applicants trained in another country must meet all of the following requirements:(1) Have completed a comparable education program in     another country.(2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation     service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.(3) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a     regionally accredited institution of higher education.(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards     concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.(5) (Blank).(6) (Blank).(7) Have successfully met all State licensure     examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another country shall not be required to complete a test of content.  Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another country shall not be required to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness.(8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent     experience.(9) (Blank).(b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education and applicants trained in another country applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for principal or superintendent must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:(1) Have completed an educator preparation program     approved by another state or comparable educator program in another country leading to the receipt of a license or certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.(2) Have successfully met all State licensure     examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state or country shall not be required to complete a test of content.(2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by     rule.(3) (Blank).(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards     concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.(4.5) (Blank).(5) Have completed a master's degree.(6) Have successfully completed teaching, school     support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.(b-7) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for Director of Special Education must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:(1)      Have completed a master's degree.(2)      Have 2 years of full-time experience     providing special education services.(3)      Have successfully completed all examination     requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.  Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state or country shall not be required to complete a test of content.(4)      Have completed coursework aligned to     standards concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.(b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for chief school business official must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of Education having the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:(1) Have completed a master's degree in school     business management, finance, or accounting.(2) Have successfully completed an internship in     school business management or have 2 years of experience as a school business administrator.(3) Have successfully met all State examination     requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state or country shall not be required to complete a test of content.(4) Have completed modules aligned to standards     concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.(c)  The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.  (Source: P.A. 101-220, eff. 8-7-19; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 102-539, eff. 8-20-21.)