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309-888-5120
Regional Office of Education #17

Licensure
2024 License Renewal ELIS How To... Administrators Alternative Licensure Program/Education Programs (PEL) (CTE) Career & Technical Educators Out of State/Country Applicants Retired Teachers Paraprofessional License Information (PARA) Professional Educator License (PEL) Substitute Teaching (SUB & STS)

(PARA) Paraprofessional License Information

Requirements for Obtaining a Paraprofessional License

  • At least 18 years old
    Note: Paraprofessionals that are 19 years or older can work in a PK-12 setting
    Paraprofessionals that are 18 years or older can work in a PK-8 setting, Per Public Act 102-0713
  • 1 of the following:
    • Associate’s degree or higher
    • 60 semester hours of coursework
      • If you have 60 or more hours of college credit you do not need to take the Work Keys test but must complete everything else to obtain your IL license.  That includes bringing in a sealed, official transcript or having an electronic transcript emailed directly from the college to our office staff, [email protected].  Courses under 100-level will not count towards the 60 hours.
    • High School Diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT WorkKeys: (ROE # 17 offers the ACT WorkKeys)
      • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)
      • Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)
    • High School Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Parapro Exam
       

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

 

What can a Paraprofessional (PARA) do?

Paraprofessional License Information

*NEW* Short-Term Approval for Paraprofessionals
Available 8-18-2022

This is a new license option for paraprofessionals

Short-Term Approval for Paraprofessionals
*Available for application starting August 18, 2022
Valid: 3 fiscal years
Renewable: Short-Term Paraprofessional Approvals are available for application until June 30, 2025, and may not be renewed.
Requirements: 

  • High school diploma (or equivalent), or higher​
  • At least 19 years of age to serve students in prekindergarten through grade 12.
  • While working on the approval, educators must be fulfilling the requirements for the full license.​​

 

While working on the approval, the educator must be fulfilling the requirements for the full license - either 60 hours of college credit, OR pass the ETS Paraprofessional or WorkKeys test.

 

Click here for step-by-step instructions and screenshots to apply for this license.

Applying, Registering & Renewing Your Paraprofessional License

Step-by-step instructions for applying, registering, and renewing. Click the + sign to learn more.

To apply for a NEW Paraprofessional license in the State of Illinois:
 

1. Visit www.isbe.net and at the top center click on the System Quick Links Tab -->  ELIS” Educator Licensure Information System --> Educator Access
--> Login to your ELIS Account.

  • On the left side, column click on Sign Up Now (ELIS for Educator Account Sign Up)
  • Enter your Name, SS# (your IEIN will be assigned to you later), create a login & password, enter your email address, and create a secret question & answer. Do not change the Broadcast Email or Email type.

2. Once you have entered your info on this page click Continue. Click under the center green box to enter your contact information on this page. Click finish.

3. Go to the HOME tab, click on “Apply for a Paraprofessional Endorsement”.

  • You will need to use a credit card to pay the application fee of $100.00 plus a small convenience fee.

4. Mail the following to  ROE #17 – 201 E. Grove St., Suite 300, Bloomington, IL  61701 OR have official college transcripts emailed from your university to [email protected].

• An official sealed college transcript or test score report (WorkKeys or ETS ParaPro)

• Proof of high school graduation/high school equivalency (if you are submitting 60 hours of college coursework with no degree.)

If you mail these documents directly to the Illinois State Board of Education the process may take longer.
 

Video: How to Apply for the Paraprofessional Endorsement in ELIS

 

To Register your Paraprofessional License:

 

Once ISBE has received and reviewed your documents, they will send you an email and “issue” the license to you.  You will then be ready for the final step to “register” with ROE #17 region. To do this final step:

1. Log back into your ELIS account, on the HOME tab inside the “Action Center” box, the word “Registration” will be highlighted. Click on “Registration” and go through the payment wizard to pay the final $30.00 fee.

  • This will register your license for the next 5 years.

2. Go to the MY CREDENTIALS tab and print the page. This is your NEW license.

  • You are ready to apply for a Paraprofessional position at any of our 30 school district offices.

 

To Renew your Paraprofessional License: 
 

The only requirement for the 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.

 

 

The WorkKeys Paraprofessional Exam - Information & Scheduling

Do you need to take the WorkKeys? Click the + sign to learn more.

If you do not have an associate's degree or 60 hours of college credit, you will need to pass the ACT WorkKeys Assessment.
 

About this test:

  • The ACT WorkKeys Assessment for prospective and practicing paraprofessionals measures skills and knowledge in reading, mathematics, and writing. You must pass the Workplace Documents and Applied Math Assessments with a score of 4 for each assessment.

    Workplace Documents Assessment: 
    The Workplace Documents assessment measures skills that individuals use when they read real workplace documents and use that information to make job-related decisions and solve problems.

    Applied Math Assessment: 
    The Applied Math assessment measures critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving techniques for situations that actually occur in today’s workplace. While individuals may use calculators and conversion tables to help with the problems on the assessment, math skills are still needed to think them through.

Test at a glance: 

  • 55 minutes per assessment.
  • 10-minute tutorial & 2 practice questions to get you started.
  • A simple 4-function calculator is available for the Applied Math Assessment portion of the WorkKeys.
  • If you need accommodations, please contact ROE 17 at 309-888-5120 x1200.
    If accommodations are needed, please allow the required accommodation documentation to be reviewed before scheduling your appointment.

 

 

Study Resources: 

 

 

Click here to view available test times and register (with payment). 
Payment must be received before you take the exam.