State Licensure Requirements
Liberty meets education requirements.

School Counseling (48 Hours) – Illinois

The M.Ed. School Counseling 48-hour program (MECU) is closed to new enrollments, but previously enrolled students are still permitted to finish this program. The below information addresses state requirements measured against the 48-hour program. Degree Completion Plans (DCPs) beginning after July 1, 2023, will reflect the 60-hour School Counseling Program (SHCO). Students on DCPs prior to 2023-2024 whose state requirements are 60 credit hours can contact LUO Academic Advising to switch to the new 23-24 60-hour M.Ed. School Counseling DCP.

Illinois requires that applicants for this licensure have either

Option One: Reciprocity

Did you complete an approved out-of-state educator preparation program and become licensed in that state? You can qualify for the Illinois PEL by submitting the following documents:

  • A copy of your valid, comparable out-of-state license
  • A master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
Option Two: ISBE 80-02S

Did you complete an approved out-of-state educator preparation program but did not become licensed in that state? You must meet the following requirements to obtain the IL PEL:

  • A master’s degree or higher from regionally accredited institution of higher education (except school nurse)
  • Proof of completion of a State Approved Program – See document below, School Support Personnel Only.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/80-02S-standards-verification-ssp.pdf

  • Internship or equivalent experience
  • Completion of coursework* addressing methods of teaching exceptional children, reading methods, content area reading, and methods of teaching English learners – See document below, School Support Personnel Only.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/80-02S-standards-verification-ssp.pdf

  • Licensure Tests: All test scores are valid indefinitely. View the options below to see the required tests for each area. If out-of-state test scores were completed, copies of the test scores must be submitted per the ISBE 80-02S form.

Click here to register for tests: https://www.il.nesinc.com/

Option Three: Illinois Educator Preparation Program

If you are completing an educator preparation program at an Illinois institution, please work closely with the institution to ensure their specific requirements are met.

The menus below indicate the Illinois educator preparation program type and corresponding licensure tests.​​

Find which Illinois institutions offer approved preparation programs: https://isbe.net/doap

PEL School Support Personnel Endorsements: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/PEL-School-Support-Ed-Lic.aspx