Transferring your teaching license from Missouri to Illinois
✓ Streamlined — Illinois offers full reciprocity to licensed teachers
Illinois offers full reciprocity: a fully-licensed Missouri teacher is generally eligible for a standard Illinois license with few or no added requirements.
See 1,147 open teaching jobs in Illinois →License transfer finder
Your current credential (Missouri)
- Issuing authority
- Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
- License type
- Initial Professional Certificate (4 years)
- Reciprocity policy
- Missouri participates in the NASDTEC compact. Missouri MEGA exams are generally still required even with reciprocity.
Illinois certification
- Issuing authority
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- License you'll earn
- Resident Educator License (4 years)
- Typical timeline
- 12–18 months for traditional program; 3 years for alternative licensure
- Illinois reciprocity policy
- Illinois participates in NASDTEC; however, all ILTS exams are typically still required. Extensive documentation needed.
Exams typically required in Illinois
Out-of-state applicants are usually asked to demonstrate content-area knowledge on Illinois's preferred exams, even when basic-skills testing is waived through reciprocity. Plan for one or more of the following:
- Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)Basic skills assessment
- ILTS Content Area AssessmentSubject matter knowledge for your area
- edTPAPerformance assessment during student teaching
Pass the Praxis exam
Mometrix study guide & practice tests for the Praxis — prep with confidence.
Steps to transfer your license
- Verify your Missouri credential is current. Illinois will request a verification of your active Initial Professional Certificate from Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
- Apply through Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The application packet typically includes official transcripts, prior teaching service verification, and a fingerprint-based background check.
- Sit for any Illinois-specific exams. Most states honor out-of-state content-area exams when scores meet their cutoff, but Illinois may require an additional jurisprudence or state-specific assessment.
- Apply to Illinois districts that match your endorsement. We're currently tracking 1,147 active openings — browse Illinois teaching jobs to start identifying districts.
Common questions
Can I teach in Illinois with a Missouri teaching license?
Illinois offers full reciprocity: a fully-licensed Missouri teacher is generally eligible for a standard Illinois license with few or no added requirements.
What exams are required to teach in Illinois?
Illinois typically requires the ILTS exam(s) for your subject area.
How long does transferring a teaching license to Illinois take?
Typically 12–18 months for traditional program; 3 years for alternative licensure.
Who issues teaching licenses in Illinois?
Teaching licenses in Illinois are issued by Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).