Licensure and Endorsement at NLU

On this site, you will find information about options for earning your Illinois Professional Educator License and additional endorsements through National Louis University. You will also find instructions on how to apply for these credentials.

Candidates who have completed all program and state requirements are entitled by National Louis University to apply for Illinois state licensure. Endorsements are notations added to the Professional Educator License, permitting the candidate to teach in specific levels and areas.

The edTPA has been eliminated through August 31, 2029. SB 1488 was signed into law August 4, 2023, and is now PA 104-0128. This law eliminates the edTPA immediately and through August 31, 2029. The edTPA is no longer required for in-state program completers or out-of-state applicants. Illinois will develop and pilot a state-developed teacher performance assessment between 2026 and 2029.

Content Test Requirement

HB 5707 was signed into law on August 9, 2024, and is now PA 103-0846.  This law removes the statement about the test being required before student teaching, however, each institution has the autonomy to require the exam prior to student teaching.

NLU has put in place a policy requiring that students earn a 220 or higher on the content exam prior to beginning the linked placement (practicum/student teaching) experience.  This is relevant for all programs except for the Alternative programs, which require that the content test be passed prior to the issuance of the ELS-APE license, and the Teacher Residency Program, which requires the content test to be passed prior to beginning the program.

Please Note:

Although this site strives to have the most current information regarding licensure and endorsement, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) may change the requirements at any time and without prior notice. Candidates will be bound by the requirements in place at the end of their program rather than at the beginning. The State may specify that a new regulation is immediately applicable to all candidates with no provisions made for candidates who began working on their licensure requirements under different regulations.

Please see the ISBE website for the most current information regarding licensure and endorsement requirements.

Learn how to apply for your Professional Educator License or endorsements.

Contact Information

For information about starting a licensure or endorsement program:
NLUINFO@nl.edu
1.800.443.5522

For questions about licensure or endorsement processing:
Licensure - Office of the Registrar
1000 Capitol Drive
Wheeling IL 60090
1.800.443.5522 extension 5361
certification@nl.edu