To complete the application process online

To apply online you will need to access your ECS system account and use a valid American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa to pay the application fee.

  1. Log into your ECS account. (If you don't have an account, you can create one here.)
  2. Select the "Applications" menu item.
  3. Select the "Entitlement Certificate Application" menu item.
  4. Click on the "Apply Online" link to the right of your entitlement certificate.
  5. Follow the 11-step wizard application process.

At the end of application process, use your internet browser's print button to print the last screen.

You can also print the screen under "Current Credentials" for proof of certification.

Make sure your address is current. The state will mail your certificate to this address.

If you have difficulties, you may call the HELP number listed in the ECS instructions.

You must mail transcripts from all institutions you have attended - undergraduate and graduate - to:

IL State Board of Education
Teacher Certification Dept
100 North First Street
Springfield, IL 62777

If you have already submitted a particular transcript to the state, you do not need to send another. If at the time of certification your degree had not been awarded and reported to ISBE, send a final transcript when your degree is awarded to have the degree listed in the ECS system.

MPORTANT NOTE: You must register your certificate: Once your certificate has been issued, you will need to register it online or through your ROE. Per IL law PA 97-0607, effective August 2011, all certificates must be registered or they will be lapsed after 6 months.* To register online at the ECS account, select "Register/Renew" on the menu and follow the 11-step wizard. On step three, select the region of the state where you will be teaching. If you do not know where you will be teaching, select the region where you live and register here. If you receive a position in a different location than the current region, you can log into the ECS system at a later time and register in the new region.

* If a certificate lapses, the certificate holder must apply for registration & reinstatement. The certificate holder must pay back fees & provide a transcript documenting 9 credit hours of coursework, completed in the last 5 years, in his/her specific certification area.

Locations

  • CHICAGO DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

    NLU’s Chicago campus on South Michigan Avenue occupies five floors of the historic Peoples Gas Building. This landmark building, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park, is easily accessible by train, bus and car and is surrounded by restaurants, parking lots/garages and shops.

    122 S. Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60603
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • ELGIN

    Conveniently located in a fast-growing business district off I-90 and Route 31, NLU Elgin features 10 classrooms with high-tech media equipment; a computer lab with high-speed Internet access; two conference rooms; and comfortable student lounges. Parking is free at this recently remodeled and upgraded teaching site, which now includes wireless Internet access.

    620 Tollgate Road
    Elgin, IL 60123
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • NORTH SHORE

    Opened in the summer of 2006, NLU North Shore at Skokie is a state-of-the-art modern campus located just off the Edens Expressway near the Old Orchard Shopping Center. The campus includes 44 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a walk-in lab in the library; six conference rooms; a public café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; and multiple, comfortable student lounge areas.

    5202 Old Orchard Road
    Skokie, IL 60077
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • LISLE

    Located just minutes from the East-West Tollway (I-88), NLU Lisle features 42 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a separate walk-in lab in the library; a café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; conference rooms; and six comfortable student lounge areas with wireless access.

    850 Warrenville Road
    Lisle, IL 60532
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • WHEELING

    Located in one of Chicago's major northwest suburbs, the newly renovated NLU Wheeling includes 20 classrooms with high-tech media equipment, four conference rooms, four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, large student lounge areas with wireless capabilities and interactive video capabilities, and an extensive research library. The site also houses the university library research collection.

    1000 Capitol Drive
    Wheeling, IL 60090
    800.443.5522

    Info » | Directions »

  • FLORIDA (TAMPA)

    Established in 1988 and located in one of the city's major business districts, NLU's Tampa campus serves students in 13 counties in central Florida. In addition to six classrooms, the campus features a conference room, a computer lab with high-speed Internet access, an extensive research library and comfortable student lounges.

    4950 West Kennedy Blvd. #300
    Tampa, FL 33609
    800.366.6581 | www.nl.edu/florida

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  • WISCONSIN

    NLU's Milwaukee campus has a proud history of serving graduate students in education in southeastern Wisconsin. Nearly one in five certified Wisconsin teachers looks to NLU for graduate education programs – more than any other university in the state. In addition to classrooms with high-tech media equipment, the campus offers a state-of-the-art computer lab with wireless Internet access and an extensive IDS research library.

    12000 West Park Place, Suite 100
    Milwaukee, WI 53224-3007
    414.577.2658

    Info » | Directions »