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