Be Sure Your Teaching Certificate Has Not
Lapsed Under New Rules

9/21/2011

Teachers should verify that their certificates are valid and registered under changes to the educator certification process contained in Public Act 97-607, which became effective on August 26, 2011.

Be aware that all certificates not renewed and registered shall lapse after a period of six months from the expiration of the last year of registration, as stated in Section 21B-45 of the law.

If you are a certificate holder, here’s what this means to you:

• No individual may work in a position requiring certification without a valid, registered certificate.
  
• Certificates are considered “lapsed” if not renewed/registered within six months of expiration. For example, a certificate that expired on June 30, 2011 will be considered lapsed as of December 31, 2011.
  
• To reinstate a certificate, holders must complete nine university hours in the appropriate content area(s), which is defined as one that most closely aligns with the educator’s endorsement area(s). Previously, only five hours of coursework were required to reinstate a certificate.
  
• Certificate holders must still pay current and all back fees to reinstate.
  
• ISBE is creating a new form for reinstatement purposes. Do not use the previous 73-93 form.

For more information about changes to the certification process and implementation dates, contact IFT Educational Issues Director Carlene Lutz at clutz@ift-aft.org or 630/468-4054.