English Composition 1
First-year writing at the 100-level; NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →IllinoisTeachers
Paraprofessional certification in Illinois: the 60 semester hours route
Checked 15 Nov 2026 by the team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
The short answer
For paraprofessional certification Illinois offers the ELS Paraprofessional Educator endorsement. You qualify with an associate degree or higher, 60 semester hours of 100-level coursework from a regionally accredited college, or a high school diploma or GED plus a ParaPro score of 460 or WorkKeys scores of 4. ISBE charges a $100 application fee and $30 registration.
The rule
Under the ISBE ELS Paraprofessional Educator endorsement, an applicant needs an associate degree or higher, or 60 semester hours of coursework at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university, or a high school diploma or GED with a score of 460 on the ETS ParaPro test or 4 on the ACT WorkKeys Applied Mathematics and Reading tests.
The rule asks for 60 semester hours at 100-level or higher (or an associate degree). The legal source is ISBE ELS Paraprofessional Educator endorsement.
| Route | What you need | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | Associate degree or higher | [1] |
| Hours | 60 semester hours at 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college | s1, s2 |
| Test | Diploma or GED plus ETS ParaPro 460 (test available through Summer 2027) | s1, s2 |
| WorkKeys | Diploma or GED plus 4 on Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information | [1] |
| Fees | $100 application; $30 registration | [1] |
| Validity | Five years; renewable | [1] |
Who decides
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), through ELIS decides how this rule applies to you. We read its published rule and the pages below; each was checked on 15 Nov 2026.
Which credits count
What counts
- An associate degree or higher
- 60 semester hours of coursework at the 100-level or higher
- Coursework from a regionally accredited college or university, shown on an official transcript sent to ISBE
What does not count
- Remedial or developmental courses below the 100-level
- Hours from a college that is not regionally accredited
- A course certificate without a college transcript
Courses that fit
Each course below is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended for college credit. Whether it counts here is the decision of the college and of Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), through ELIS.
English Composition 2
Second writing course; NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online English Composition 2 course (ENG 102). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
College Algebra
College maths; NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online College Algebra course (Math 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Psychology
Core social science; ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Educational Psychology
How students learn; useful in the classroom and toward an education degree
Self-paced online Educational Psychology course (Psychology 120). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
US History 1
Humanities or social science core; NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online US History 1 course (HIST 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →The path via a college transcript
- Count what you already haveGather transcripts from every college you attended. Count only semester hours at the 100-level or higher from regionally accredited colleges.
- Choose the quickest routeIf you are far from 60 hours, the ParaPro test (460) or WorkKeys (4 in both tests) may be faster. If you are close, or want a degree later, finish the hours.
- Pick the college whose transcript you will useISBE needs an official transcript from a regionally accredited college. Ask that college in writing whether it will review ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit.
- Fill the gap with courses the college will postTake only the courses the college has said it will review. Credit reaches ISBE via a college transcript.
- Apply in ELISApply for the paraprofessional licence in ELIS, pay the $100 application fee, have the college email your official transcript to ISBE, then register the licence ($30).
TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; ask the college in writing which courses it will post before you count them toward 60 hours.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
What it costs
| Option | Price | For this rule | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month, every course | $99 for each month you are subscribed; take as many courses as you finish in that time | 15 Nov 2026 |
| ISBE ELS Paraprofessional application | $100 application fee plus $30 registration | The licence itself, whichever route you use | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Sophia Learning monthly plan | $99 a month | General education toward 60 hours | 15 Nov 2026 |
| StraighterLine membership | $99 a month plus a course fee | Membership plus a one-time fee per course | 15 Nov 2026 |
The ParaPro test has its own fee, set by ETS; check the ETS site. Illinois community colleges charge per credit; check the college's tuition page.
What UPI Study cannot do here
- UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ISBE counts hours from a regionally accredited college on an official transcript, so our credit must first be posted by such a college.
- We cannot say any college will post our courses; each college decides.
- We cannot change ISBE's rules, fees or the ParaPro end date.
- The ISBE page is marked archived; check ISBE for the current wording.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
Confirm in writing first
Ask the college in writing which courses it will post to its transcript, and ask ISBE or your Regional Office of Education in writing that those hours will count, before you enrol.
The four ways to qualify
Illinois licenses paraprofessionals through the Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for paraprofessional educator, applied for in ELIS. ISBE lists four ways to qualify: an associate degree or higher; 60 semester hours of coursework; a high school diploma or GED with a score of 460 on the ETS ParaPro test; or a diploma or GED with a score of 4 on the ACT WorkKeys Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information tests.
The licence is valid for five years and is renewable. You work under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher, with no limit on work days.
- Associate degree or higher
- 60 semester hours at the 100-level or higher
- ParaPro 460 with a diploma or GED
- WorkKeys 4 in both tests with a diploma or GED
What counts toward the 60 hours
ISBE's paraprofessional page says coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. Remedial courses numbered below 100 do not count, and nor do hours from a college that is not regionally accredited. ISBE asks the college to email your official transcript to it directly.
Online credit counts once a regionally accredited college posts it on its transcript. Our courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended, and credit reaches ISBE via a college transcript. UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited.
Hours or the test?
If you have most of the 60 hours already, finishing them is often the better route: the hours also count toward a degree later. If you have few college hours, the ParaPro test or WorkKeys can be faster. ISBE's page says the ETS ParaPro is available through Summer 2027, so if you plan to use it, plan your test date with that in mind.
Short-term approval while you finish
ISBE also offers a short-term approval for paraprofessionals with a high school diploma, for a $50 fee. It lasts three fiscal years and cannot be renewed, and you must be working toward the full endorsement during that time. ISBE says it will stop taking applications after 30 June 2029. Many people use those three years to finish the 60 hours.
Questions people ask
How do I get paraprofessional certification in Illinois?
Apply in ELIS for the ELS Paraprofessional Educator endorsement with one of four routes: an associate degree, 60 semester hours at 100-level or higher, ParaPro 460 with a diploma or GED, or WorkKeys 4 with a diploma or GED.
How much does the Illinois paraprofessional licence cost?
ISBE lists a $100 application fee and a $30 registration fee for the ELS Paraprofessional Educator endorsement. The short-term approval costs $50. Test fees for ParaPro or WorkKeys are separate and set by the test providers.
Do online college credits count toward the 60 hours?
They count when they appear on an official transcript from a regionally accredited college at the 100-level or higher. Ask the college whether it will post the course, and ask ISBE or your Regional Office of Education if unsure.
What score do I need on the ParaPro test in Illinois?
ISBE requires 460 or higher on the ETS ParaPro, together with a high school diploma or GED. ISBE's page says the ParaPro is available through Summer 2027, so check the current position before you book.
How long is the Illinois paraprofessional licence valid?
ISBE says five years, and it is renewable with registration fees. The short-term approval lasts three fiscal years and cannot be renewed, so use that time to finish the full endorsement.
How old do I have to be?
ISBE's page says 19 for grades PK-22. Since 1 January 2023, an 18-year-old may qualify for the paraprofessional endorsement limited to grades PK-8. Check the current ISBE page before applying, because age rules can change.
Read next
- 60 hours or ParaPro 460: the Illinois paraprofessional licenceThe Illinois paraprofessional license has four routes, and most people choose between 60 semester hours and the ParaPro test. Hours must be at the...
- Para to teacher in Illinois: making the 60 hours count toward a degreeGoing from para to teacher in Illinois usually means a bachelor's degree and an approved educator preparation programme. The 60 semester hours you...
The same topic in nearby states
Ready when you have it in writing
Composition, algebra, psychology, history and more are on PRO. Ask your college in writing which courses it will post first.
Sources
- ISBE: What is a Paraprofessional? (April 2026) (official)ELS Paraprofessional Educator endorsement: application fee $100, registration fee $30; associate degree or higher, 60 semester hours of coursework, diploma/GED with ETS Paraprofessional 460, or diploma/GED with ACT WorkKeys 4 in Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information; valid five years, renewable; transcripts emailed by the institution to transcripts@isbe.net. Short-term approval: $50, three fiscal years, non-renewable. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- ISBE: Paraprofessional Educator (official)Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. ETS ParaPro available through Summer 2027. Age 19 for PK-22; from 1 January 2023, age 18 may qualify for PK-8. Valid five fiscal years; work under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher. The page is marked archived. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- ISBE: What is a Paraprofessional?Price for ISBE ELS Paraprofessional application, checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Sophia Learning: Plans and pricingPrice for Sophia Learning monthly plan, checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- StraighterLine: PricingPrice for StraighterLine membership, checked on 15 Nov 2026.