Are any exemptions provided to aspiring paraprofessionals who hold a high school diploma and seek to obtain paraprofessional licensure? Yes. Individuals who hold a high school diploma will be eligible for a short-term approval endorsed for a paraprofessional educator (ELS-PARA). Before the validity period of this approval expires, the educator must pass the paraprofessional competency test and apply for the ELS-PARA. Doing so will allow the educator to receive the Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for Paraprofessional which is required to continue to work as a paraprofessional. Educators can apply for the approval in their ELIS accounts. The short term approval is not renewable and requires a $50 application fee.  This short term approval is valid for 3 years.

View instructions for applying for the Paraprofessional Short Term Approval here.

• At least 19 years of age
• 1 of the following:
  • Associate’s degree or higher
  • 60 semester hours of coursework
  • High School Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Parapro (ROE # 17 offers the ETS Parapro Exam) 
  • High School Diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT Workkeys:
    • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)
    • Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)

NOTE: Paraprofessional licenses are valid for 5 years and may be renewed with the payment of registration fees.

To obtain a Paraprofessional License in the State of Illinois

1. Visit  www.isbe.net and at the top center click on System Quick Links --> ELIS: Educator Licensure Information System -->  EDUCATOR ACCESS --> Login to your ELIS account --> CLICK HERE FOR FIRST TIME ACCESS TO THE ELIS SYSTEM (right side of the screen).
    
2. Create an account and follow the prompts. Please note, you must be at least 19 years old to obtain a paraprofessional license.
    
3. Once logged in, click on “Apply for a Paraprofessional Endorsement.” You will use a credit card to pay a $100.00 application fee plus a convenience fee.  
    
4. Mail the following to Angie Riethmaier at ROE #17 - 200 W. Front St, Suite 500 D, Bloomington, IL 61701.
   - An official college transcript showing your associate's degree of 60 hours of college credit. This can also be emailed to transcripts@roe17.org
   - Proof of high school graduation/high school equivalency. This can also be emailed to transcripts@roe17.org
   - If you do not have an associate's degree or 60 hours of college credit, please contact Angie to schedule the ETS Parapro Exam (cost $55, more information below) 
   Note: If you mail these documents to the Illinois State Board of Education in Springfield, the process may be delayed.
    
5. Email Angie Riethmaier at riethmaiera@roe17.org to let her know why she is receiving your transcript or diploma and what county you live in. If you passed the Parapro test at this office (ROE # 17), we will automatically receive your test scores.  Please include your maiden name (if applicable) in the email so we can match the transcript received to you.
    
6. NEW - You can have official transcripts emailed from your university emailed to transcripts@roe17.org

Click here to pay for the ETS Parapro Exam
 

Click here for the Praxis Study Companion for the Pa rapro Assessment

1. After the state reviews your credentials your license will change from “Pending Review” to “Issued” and you will need to register your license. ISBE will send you an automated email when they issue the license.
    
2. Log into your ELIS account, click on Registration and follow the steps.  With a credit card, you will pay $5.00 per year plus a convenience fee for your registration.|
    
3. When the license is issued and registered, print your current credential page to give to your school district as evidence of your valid Paraprofessional license.

Click here to pay for the ETS Parapro Exam

Click here for the Praxis Study Companion for the Pa rapro Assessment

The only requirement for renewal of your paraprofessional license is to pay the $25 renewal fee every five years.  Professional development is not required for this license. For more information about renewal, click here.