Section 25.880  "Valid and Exempt" Licenses; Proportionate Reduction; Part-Time Teaching

a)         The requirements of this Subpart J regarding professional development are subject to proportionate reduction with respect to periods of time during which a license is maintained as valid and exempt. The requirements of this Section apply to licensees who are working in a position that does not require educator licensure or working in a position for less than 50 percent of full-time equivalency for any particular year.  These licensees are considered to be exempt and shall be required to pay only the registration fee in order to renew and maintain the validity of the license.  (Section 21B-45(e)(5) of the Code)

1)         Each licensee shall submit written verification to the ROE for any year that the licensee was not employed at least 50 percent full-time equivalency at an Illinois public or State-operated school or cooperative or charter school. Upon verification of the licensee's employment status, the ROE shall enter the period of exemption into ELIS and the license for that period of time will be determined to be valid and active or valid and exempt.

2)         Periods of exemption shall be established in one-semester increments. 

3)         Prior to license renewal, each licensee shall provide verification of the one semester periods of exemption that occurred during the 5-year renewal cycle. The proportionate reduction (i.e., 20 percent reduction for each year of exemption) that applies to the requirements for professional development activities will be reflected in ELIS.  

4)         Completion of professional development activities during a period of exemption shall not affect the proportionate reduction in the total number of clock hours required for a licensee, but may be credited toward the total amount of professional development needed in the 5-year renewal cycle.

b)         A valid and exempt license may be immediately (i.e., within six months) reactivated upon the licensee becoming employed in a position that requires an educator license and performing services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or cooperative or charter school.  The "active" status shall be recorded in ELIS before the end of the 5-year renewal cycle. 

c)         Holders of valid and exempt PELs endorsed in an administrative field who are not employed in an Illinois public or State-operated school or cooperative or charter school are not subject to the requirements of Section 21B-45 of the Code or this Subpart J.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 12973, effective July 13, 2022)