Applying for ISBE Certification

Within the National College of Education,  the  Certification  office processes  applications for students who have completed entitlement teacher certification programs. Certification does not happen automatically.  The applicant must obtain a certification application and, once completed, submit it to the university for approval.

It is important that you do not go to a state (county) office to apply.  The university must approve the application. If you have completed the certification requirements at the university, your approved application will be made “official” with the  university  seal and the signature of the certification officer.  NLU will send an entitlement notice to ISBE in Springfield.  The “official” application will be returned to you with instructions as to how  to  proceed  to  become  certified  with the “state.”  You will have the option of applying online following the directions of ISBE or you may apply through a Regional Office of Education. A list with addresses and phone numbers of the county (ROE) offices   will be provided to you.

The certification office is located on the Wheeling campus.  Packets are available that contain instructions, an application, and pertinent forms that pertain to a particular academic program. Mailing the enclosed addressed envelope will enable your application to reach the appropriate office.  The address of the certification office is:  National-Louis University, Attn: Certification, 1000 Capitol drive, Wheeling, IL 60090.  To request a packet, you may call the certification office at (847) 947-5102 or (847) 947-5348.  Leave a message at any time.  Indicate your name, your ID# and the program in which you are currently   enrolled or completed at NLU.

For certification as a Reading Specialist, contact 1-800-443-5522   Extension 2390.  For certification as a School Nurse, the Extension is 5373 and for certification as a School Psychologist, the extension is 2724.

If you download an application from the state website, you will not be aware of  specific  requirements so it is in your   best   interest  to request  the packet from the university.  Frequently, instructors obtain packets from the certification office and distribute them to students in a seminar session during student teaching.