Teaching License from Colorado to Illinois: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) - Educator Licensure ↗
Yes — Illinois recognizes teaching certificates from all states, including Colorado. Apply to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) - Educator Licensure for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
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Verdict
Full reciprocity
Coming from Colorado, Illinois is a comparatively smooth move — but "reciprocity" still means applying to Illinois for its own credential, not carrying your Colorado license across. Illinois's streamlined recognition shortens the path, and if you have several years of experience or National Board certification, its exams may be waived entirely. The requirements below are what Illinois still asks.
What changes, Colorado → Illinois
| Colorado (current) | Illinois (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $90 ($90 base application (evaluation) fee for the Initial or Professional Teacher License, assessed in Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) and non-refundable per state statute; the CBI/FBI fingerprint background check fee is additional) | $150 ($150 PEL application fee for out-of-state (and out-of-country) applicants, assessed electronically in ELIS; license registration fees are additional and required before employment) |
| Processing time | ~9 weeks (CDE states it will evaluate the application within 45 business days of receipt (~9 weeks); applicants have 60 days to submit missing documentation before withdrawal) | Not stated on the reviewed ISBE application page |
| Licensing authority | Colorado Department of Education (CDE) - Educator Talent / Educator Licensing | Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) - Educator Licensure |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Illinois sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Illinois's current requirements on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) - Educator Licensure website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) - Educator Licensure (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Create an ELIS account and apply for the Professional Educator License (PEL) as an out-of-state applicant.
- Provide a valid, comparable out-of-state license (upload to ELIS or email to ISBE).
- Have your regionally accredited institution send official transcripts directly to ISBE.
- Pass the applicable Illinois content-area test if required (ILTS).
- Register the issued license in ELIS and pay registration fees before it is valid for employment.
- Pay the fees ($150 ($150 PEL application fee for out-of-state (and out-of-country) applicants, assessed electronically in ELIS; license registration fees are additional and required before employment)) and allow Not stated on the reviewed ISBE application page.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Illinois accept a Colorado teaching license?
Yes — Illinois recognizes teaching certificates from all states, including Colorado. Apply to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) - Educator Licensure for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
Will I have to retake tests moving from Colorado to Illinois?
Reciprocity applicants provide a valid, comparable out-of-state license and must pass the applicable Illinois content-area test only if ISBE deems it required (registered through the Illinois Licensure Testing System, ILTS); the edTPA/teacher-performance assessment and Illinois-specific coursework are generally not imposed on comparably licensed out-of-state applicants. Holding a Colorado license does not by itself waive Illinois's tests — experience or National Board certification is what typically does.
Can I teach in Illinois right away?
Generally yes on a provisional or one-year Illinois certificate issued while you complete its requirements; districts hire on that credential.
What does the Colorado-to-Illinois transfer cost and how long does it take?
$150 ($150 PEL application fee for out-of-state (and out-of-country) applicants, assessed electronically in ELIS; license registration fees are additional and required before employment); processing Not stated on the reviewed ISBE application page.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- ISBE - Educator Licensure Application (Reciprocity / Out-of-State supporting documentation and fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- ISBE - Educator Licensure (requirements hub) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- CDE - Teachers from Out-of-State/Out-of-Country (requirements, CBI fingerprints, transcripts, exams) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- CDE - Credentialing Guide for Out-of-State Applicants (Professional vs. evaluation pathway; exam determination) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- CDE - Initial Teacher License checklist ($90 base application fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- CDE - The Application & Evaluation Process (45 business days) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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