Illinois Teaching License

Illinois Teaching License – Testing

In order to get your Illinois Teaching License, you need to take the ILTS test.

ILTS stands for Illinois Licensure Testing System.

Specifically, you will have to take and pass the Test of Academic Proficiency.


You will also need to take a subject area test and a teaching assessment test.

Illinois Teaching License – TAP Test

The Test of Academic Proficiency is a basic skills test.

Separate tests are given in reading comprehension, language arts and writing, and math.

Each part of the TAP test consists of multiple-choice questions.

The language arts and writing test also includes a written assignment.

You can find score scales, test information, and practice tests on the official ILTS website.

The Illinois Licensure Testing System website has sample essays for the written assignment portion of the language arts and writing test.

Illinois Teacher Licensure Test – Illinois Certification Testing System

A maximum of five attempts is permitted when taking the ILTS teacher certification test.

Illinois Teaching License – Board of Education

You can visit the Illinois State Board of Education website for further information on educator licensure.

You need to pass all education and subject-area courses with a grade of no lower than a C.

Grades of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) will be accepted only if verification is provided by the college or university that the grades are equivalent to a C or higher.


Out-of-state teaching certificate applicants for Illinois teacher certification should download the out-of-state application checklist.

The out-of-state certification checklist is provided in downloadable PDF format.

The Illinois State Board of Education website also has a current list of teaching vacancies in Illinois schools for grades K to 12.

Illinois State Board of Education

NOTE: The ILTS test is administered by Pearson (NESINC) on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. This website is not associated with the ILTS test, Pearson (NESINC), or the Illinois State Board of Education.