How to become a paraprofessional in Illinois.

To become a paraprofessional in Illinois, there are several requirements you need to meet to land this important role in schools—this includes getting a license.  

Minimum requirements to become a paraprofessional in Illinois. 

• 20 years old 
• Paraprofessional Educator License (ELS-PARA) from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). 
• Meet one of the following academic requirements: 
  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) 
  • Have at least 60 semester hours of college coursework, or 
  • Hold an associate degree or higher, or 
  • Pass the ETS ParaPro Assessment with a score of 460 or higher. 
• Fingerprint-based criminal background check. 

At Kelly Education, we call this role a paraeducator, because (like paramedic or paralegal) it reflects the professionalism that aligns with the field. You may see the role of a paraprofessional listed by another name. Districts may also call them parapros, paraeducators, or teacher aides. 

A deeper dive into paraeducator requirements.  

Kelly Education works with many schools in Illinois to place paraeducators, so we know what it takes to get started.  

The process can take a little time, usually a few days to a few weeks. How quickly things move depends on how soon you complete each step. Background checks and fingerprinting, in particular, can slow things down, so it’s helpful to get those going early. 

What does a paraeducator in Illinois do? 

Illinois paraeducators typically work under the supervision of a licensed teacher. There are many educational settings in which paraeducators can work. Some roles are in a more general education setting, offering classroom support, performing administrative tasks, and assisting with instructional activities. 

Other roles are more specialized and may involve additional certifications for qualification. They provide one-on-one student support, particularly for students with disabilities. Ultimately, your goal is to make learning more accessible and inclusive. 

Please note that this information is a general guideline as of July 2025. Information is subject to change without notice. Additionally, the school districts in Illinois may have additional requirements; be sure to carefully review all postings. 

How to get your paraprofessional license in Illinois. 

Getting your paraprofessional license is a requirement to be able to work as an Illinois paraeducator.  

Fortunately, the process for obtaining your Paraprofessional Educator License through the Illinois State Board of Education is fairly straightforward. 

1. Create your account: The first step is visiting the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) and creating a profile. 
2. Submit the proper documentation: The second step is to provide the appropriate documentation for your ELIS account. Upload official transcripts or test results that meet one of the eligibility options: 60 semester hours, an associate degree, or a passing ParaPro score. 
3. Pay the application fee: There is a fee to obtain the Illinois paraprofessional license. It is $100, payable online, as of July 2025. 
4. Complete a background check: Generally, school districts in Illinois will require you to submit to a fingerprint-based background check before you can begin working. 

Once your Illinois license has been issued, it will be valid for three to five years depending on which endorsement you receive. You can renew your ELS-PARA license with the payment of a renewal fee. This means that you do not need to complete additional coursework or take professional development courses to renew your license. 

Education requirements and verification. 

In Illinois, a high school diploma or equivalent is required to be a paraprofessional. You’ll need to submit your diploma or college transcripts as part of the hiring process. It’s best to submit verification for your highest level of education completed. 

You’ll request a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent certificate from your high school or state boards of education. 

You’ll typically request college transcripts from the registrar’s office. You should allow about a week to receive education verification documents and expect to pay a fee of $10 to $15 for each request. 

Background screening and fingerprinting. 

• All states require some level of background check to help ensure the safety of students. Most states also require fingerprinting.  

• If working for Kelly Education, we’ll check your name against the National Sex Offender Registry and county criminal check if it’s not part of the school district’s hiring process.  

• Applicants are usually responsible for the cost of background checks and fingerprinting. 

• On average, it takes up to two weeks for background check results to process.  

Training to become a paraprofessional. 

Per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law, paraprofessionals must receive appropriate training if they work with students who have special needs. In Illinois, most school districts will provide specific training either before your first day or during the onboarding process. 

At Kelly Education, we go a step further. Our paraeducators complete a pre-hire module called ParaSmarts. This course outlines the responsibilities, boundaries, and best practices you’ll need to succeed on the job. Once hired, you’ll also complete a one-hour, online New Hire Orientation that covers Kelly Education policies and introduces you to the expectations of your school district. 

Employment verification. 

Anyone who works in schools must prove eligibility to work in the United States. To complete this step, you’ll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials.  

If you work with Kelly Education, our team will help you with this. If working for a district, you’ll typically work on this with the human resources team. 

Become a substitute paraeducator with Kelly Education. 

If you or someone you know is interested in paraprofessional or substitute teaching jobs in Illinois, fill out our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. 

We also have an entire library of helpful articles for paraprofessionals and school educators. They include: 

• What is a paraprofessional in schools 
• Understanding IEP and 504 plans 
• Paraeducator job description, duties, and responsibilities 

*Information subject to change. This is a general guideline as of July 2025. School districts may have additional requirements in addition to state requirements. 

I’m interested