Teacher Education Center

Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes (CECP)

Graduate Level Certification Information

Use the information and links below to learn about graduate level certification procedures. Links on your right provide information about the other certification levels.

Graduate Level Certification Procedures -


Application for graduate level certification (pdf) is processed by the Office of Certification Processes. Individuals planning to pursue course work for a certificate should first complete the steps listed in Part I so that an initial evaluation for certification can be completed. The evaluation should be made early in the student’s program in order to provide a list of deficiencies to be completed prior to the issuance of the certificate. A copy of the evaluation is sent to the student for use as a reference for all requirements. Allow up to four weeks for the Certification Office to process each initial evaluation.

Procedures are different for certification and for degree completion. The forms submitted to the Certification Office are in addition to any required by the Graduate School and the department for your graduate degree. Refer all questions related to admission to the degree and registration for course work to the appropriate academic program or department. Refer all questions related to certification to the Certification Office.

Upon completion of the program, the applicant will follow the steps listed in Part II.

Part I

The following must be completed prior to the initial evaluation:

  1. Complete an Intent to File for Certification (pdf). Be sure to check the type of certificate for which you are applying and complete both pages of the form, if applicable.
  2. If you already have a certificate(s), include a photocopy of each certificate, front and back.
  3. If applying for the General Administration, Superintendent, or Chief School Business Official, have your District Superintendent submit an official letter on school stationery verifying teaching and YOUR administrative experience. The letter must clearly indicate the following:
    1. Name of person applying for certificate
    2. Specific dates of assignment indicating part or full-time
    3. Specific kind(s) of assignment: teaching, administrative
    4. Signature of writer
  4. The Certification Office has access to records of your Illinois State course work. If you will be applying courses to your program completed at any other university, please request that an official transcript from each university be sent to the Certification Office. The Certification Office does not have access to official transcripts from other universities, which have been sent to other offices on campus.
  5. Send all of the above to the address stated on the form. When the initial evaluation has been completed, you will be notified of deficiencies.

Part II

The following steps need to be completed for final certification after requirements for the certificate have been met:

  1. Send a written request to the Records Office, Campus Box 2207, for an official transcript to be sent to CECP, Campus Box 5440, after all course/degree work has been completed.  Include $6.00 for this service.
  2. All persons obtaining certification in the state of Illinois must pass a test of basic skills and a special area test corresponding to the desired certification. Contact a Regional Office of Education or CECP for more information about these tests and a study guide. You may take these tests up to five years prior to the issuance of the certificate. These materials may also be accessed at www.icts.nesinc.com.
  3. CECP will notify the state of your program completion and send you instructions on how to apply for your certificate using the online ECS - Educator Certification System.
  4. Within a few days after applying  you will receive your Teaching Certificate from the State Board of Education.  You must register that certificate with a Regional Office of Education, unless you want to register in the City of Chicago.  Registration for Chicago may be completed online.  All other registrations must be done through an ROE.
  5. If you need verification of program completion before your certificate is received, print the last page of your application on ECS - Educator Certification System .  That is your confirmation from the state that all requirements for your certification have been met.