In Illinois, it is possible to become a teacher by participating in an on-the-job alternative certification program. Candidates in an alternative certification program can earn teaching license while working as a full-time, paid teacher in an Illinois classroom if they:
- complete one semester of coursework prior to entering the classroom
- pass the Illinois Test of Basic Skills
- pass the content knowledge test relevant to their area of certification, and
- complete a practice teaching assignment.
Candidates who meet these requirements earn a provisional teaching license and are deemed highly qualified under Illinois law. This allows schools to hire candidates on a provisional license and pay them as full-time teacher.
Qualified candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the verified overseas equivalent.
In general, alternative certification programs may prepare teachers in any area. However, for the most part they are used to meet the need for more teachers in shortage areas like:
- special education
- bilingual education
- high school math, and
- high school science
- foreign language.
It is also possible to complete an alternative certification program in other areas (e.g., elementary education) but these are not shortage areas and as a result schools generally hire candidates from the supply of traditionally certified teachers.
Alternative certification programs are offered by a number of providers. We recommend the programs offered by Quincy University through the National Teacher Education Center (NTEC).
