Illinois PEL Renewal Requirements 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Last updated March 2026

Illinois replaced its old Teaching Certificate with the Professional Educator License (PEL) back in 2012 — but the renewal process still trips up teachers who haven't been through it before, or who last renewed under the old system. This guide covers everything you need to know about Illinois PEL renewal in 2026.

Illinois PEL Renewal: The Key Numbers

• License type: Professional Educator License (PEL)
• Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
• PD hours required: 120 hours (for most educators)
• Governing body: Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
• Where to renew: ISBE's Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)
• Renewal fee: $50

Unlike some states, Illinois does not require a certain number of hours per year — just 120 total over the 5-year cycle. That said, most teachers find it easier to spread the hours out rather than scramble at the end of the cycle.

What Counts Toward Your 120 PD Hours?

Illinois gives educators significant flexibility in how they earn PD hours. Accepted types include:

• Formal coursework — College or university classes related to your endorsement area or teaching practice (1 semester credit = 15 hours; 1 quarter credit = 10 hours)
• Workshops and conferences — From ISBE-approved providers or institutions
• Online professional development courses — Must be from an approved provider
• Mentoring — Mentoring a new teacher counts for the mentor (check ISBE guidelines for hour caps)
• National Board Certification activities — See the special exception below
• District-provided professional development — School and district PD programs that meet state standards
• Leadership roles — Curriculum development, leading PLC sessions, and similar roles can count under certain conditions

Are Any Hours Required on Specific Topics?

Yes. Illinois has several mandated PD topic areas that must be addressed during each renewal cycle. These include:

• Teacher evaluations — Training related to the Illinois Educator Evaluation system
• Cultural competency — Understanding and responding to diverse student populations
• English Language Learners (ELL) — Required hours if you work with ELL students
• Special education — If applicable to your role

Check with your district HR department to confirm which mandated topics apply to your specific role — teachers, counselors, and administrators have slightly different requirements.

The National Board Certification Exception

If you hold a current National Board Certification, Illinois reduces your required PD hours to 60 hours instead of 120 for that renewal cycle. This is a significant benefit for National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and one of the best reasons to pursue NBPTS certification in Illinois.

To claim this reduction, you'll need to document your active National Board Certification in ELIS. Make sure your certificate hasn't lapsed — if your NBPTS certification expired, you won't qualify for the reduced-hour waiver.

How to Use the ELIS Portal

ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System) is Illinois's online hub for all licensure actions. Here's how to navigate renewal:

1. Create or log in to your ELIS account at isbe.net. Your login uses your Illinois TEACH account credentials.
2. Check your license status and expiration date. Your PEL expiration date is displayed on your ELIS dashboard.
3. Enter your PD hours. You'll log each activity individually — provider name, date, topic, and hours. Keep documentation (certificates of completion, transcripts) in case ISBE requests verification.
4. Review your endorsements. The renewal process covers your PEL and all endorsements attached to it. Make sure the endorsements listed match your current role.
5. Submit the renewal application and pay the $50 fee. Renewals can be submitted up to 180 days before the license expires.
6. Receive your renewed PEL. Processing typically takes a few weeks. Your updated license will appear in ELIS and can be printed or downloaded.

Administrative Endorsements: Different Rules Apply

If your PEL includes an administrative endorsement (principal, superintendent, or other leadership role), the renewal requirements are different:

• Administrators still need 120 PD hours total
• At least 30 of those hours must address topics specific to school leadership and administration
• Superintendent endorsements have additional requirements around board relations and district finance

If you hold both a teaching and an administrative endorsement, talk to your district's licensure coordinator about which PD activities satisfy which requirements. Some activities can count toward both.

What Happens If You Don't Renew on Time?

An expired PEL means you cannot legally teach or work in an administrative role in an Illinois public school. Your district will be notified, and employment is at risk.

Illinois does allow lapsed licenses to be renewed — but the process is more complicated. If your PEL has been expired for less than 2 years, you can renew by completing the required hours and paying the standard fee plus a late processing fee. If it's been more than 2 years, you may need to apply for reinstatement, which can involve additional requirements.

Common Mistakes Illinois Teachers Make at Renewal

• Logging hours from unapproved providers. Not all workshops count — verify the provider is ISBE-approved or offered by an accredited institution before you register.
• Forgetting to enter hours in ELIS. Completing PD is only half the job. You must log every activity in ELIS — it doesn't happen automatically.
• Waiting too long to submit. ELIS sometimes experiences slowdowns near renewal deadlines. Submit at least 30 days before your expiration.
• Not accounting for mandated topics. You can hit 120 hours and still have an incomplete renewal if you missed required topic areas.

Fees Summary

Action	Fee
PEL renewal	$50
Adding an endorsement	$25 per endorsement
Late renewal processing	Additional fee applies

Your Illinois PEL Renewal Checklist

1. Log in to ELIS and note your expiration date
2. Set a reminder 12 months before expiration
3. Check your current logged PD hours in ELIS
4. Review the mandated topic areas for your role
5. Plan PD activities to reach 120 hours (or 60 if you have active National Board Certification)
6. Log each activity in ELIS as you complete it — don't wait until the end
7. Submit your renewal at least 30 days before your expiration date
8. Pay the $50 fee and save your confirmation

Keep Your License Current

ISBE updates its PD requirements periodically. Mandated topic areas in particular have evolved over the past few years as Illinois addresses new legislative priorities around equity and instruction.

For a complete breakdown of Illinois license types, fees, and accepted PD hours, visit the ChalkReady Illinois page.