Paraprofessionals

Eligibility:

• Must be at least 19 years old to serve students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 12.

• Starting January 1, 2023, individuals 18 years of age may qualify for the ELS-Paraprofessional License, but can only serve students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 8.

Required Qualifications (one 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 Educational Testing Service (ETS) parapro exam

• High school diploma or GED and the following ACT WorkKeys scores:

  • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math: 4

  • Reading for Information/Workplace Documents: 4

License Validity:

• Years Valid: 5 years

• Renewable: Yes, with payment of registration fees

Limitations:

• Must work under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher.

Additional Information:

• Individuals holding a Paraprofessional License and a Bachelor’s Degree are qualified to work as substitute teachers.

• Coursework must be 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

How to Apply for a Paraprofessional License:

1. Log in to ELIS at apps.isbe.net/iwasnet/login.aspx.

2. From the Action Center, apply for a Paraprofessional License.

3. Complete the application and pay the required fee.
4. Submit a copy of your test scores to licensureforms@isbe.net or have your institution of higher education email official transcripts to transcripts@isbe.net.
5. Once issued, you must register your license in ELIS.

Validity:

• Valid for: 3 fiscal years
• Renewable: No (available for application until June 30, 2025)

Requirements:

• High school diploma (or equivalent), or higher
• Must be at least 19 years old to serve students in prekindergarten through grade 12.
• While working on the approval, the educator must be fulfilling the requirements for the full Paraprofessional License.

How to Apply for Short-Term Approval for Paraprofessionals:

1. Log in to ELIS at apps.isbe.net/iwasnet/login.aspx.

2. From the home page, select "Apply for Credential" and click "Approvals."

3. Choose Short-Term Approval for Paraprofessionals, complete the application, and pay the required fee.

4. Submit a copy of your high school diploma to licensureforms@isbe.net.