Applying for a CTE-ELS - Step-by-Step Guide - Checklist and Tips for Applicants

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Finn

Guide for applying for a CTE-ELS educator license with stipulations, detailing eligibility requirements and the workflow to identify the correct endorsement and verify work experience against skills course descriptions using ISBE resources. Includes instructions for applying on the 73-23 form, entering CIP codes, selecting up to three endorsement areas, and uploading documents through ELIS. Provides applicant checklist items such as official transcripts, completed application parts, supervisor and EFE signatures, and submission to the appropriate Regional Office of Education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

What do you need to qualify?

Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for a CTE-ELS

Uploading Documents to ELIS

Checklist and Tips for Applicants

Applying for a CTE-ELS Career and Technical Educator License with Stipulations What do you need to qualify? 60 college credit hours* 2,000 hours of work experience** 72-23 form† *Transcript from a regionally accredited institution. ** No college credit hours? In that case, you’ll need 8,000 hours of work experience. Mark “CTE-P” on the 73-23 form.†Found on the ISBE website. Step-by-Step Guide 1. To determine which endorsement best aligns with your work experience, start by visiting the ISBE website. In the top navigation, click Topics A-Z. [isbe](isbe.net/CTE)[.net/CTE](isbe.net/CTE) ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION August 2025 2. Under Topics, find the College & Career column, and click the second bullet Career Technical Education. 3. Scroll down to the series of buttons and click Programs of Study. Applying for a CTE-ELS | 2 4. Locate and click the CTE Program Matrices drop down. Here you can explore and learn more about a matrix. Each matrix will have programs identified by title and classification of instructional program (CIP) code. View an example below. Applying for a CTE-ELS | 3 IMPORTANT: After locating the column in the matrix that you feel aligns with your work experience, locate the SKILLS COURSE in that column of the matrix. Then page through the document to the SKILLS COURSE DESCRIPTION and verify that your work experience aligns with that course description. Example—the skills course for Business Systems is on is on page 4 of the matrix. Applying for a CTE-ELS | 4 Enter the CIP code for which you are applying on your 73-23 Application form. You may apply for up to three endorsement areas per application. Add work experience and respective hours in Skills/ Responsibilities section. Applying for a CTE-ELS | 5 Uploading Documents to ELIS 1. Create an ELIS account. If you are already registered, proceed to step 5. 2. If you have a social security number, proceed to “How to Create an ELIS Account Tutorial.” 3. If you do not have a social security number, you must request a temporary number by completing ISBE form 83-92B. DO NOT create an ELIS account as one will be generated for you by ISBE staff with your temporary number. You will be notified via email regarding next steps. Remember, the temporary number is exclusively for ELIS account setup and licensure testing only. 4. How to Create an ELIS Account Tutorial 5. Log in to your ELIS account. You can access ELIS from the [isbe. net](isbe. net) home page by clicking“Log Into ELIS” at the top left of the page. 6. Once logged in, click “Images” from the menu to the left. Applying for a CTE-ELS | 6 7. Click the “Add Image” button and follow the prompts. Applying for a CTE-ELS | 7 Checklist and Tips for Applicants ■ [Official transcript sent to](Official transcript sent to transcript@isbe. net)[ ](Official transcript sent to transcript@isbe. net)[transcript@isbe. net](Official transcript sent to transcript@isbe. net). • Transcript is from an accredited college or university indicating 60 earned credit hours of coursework in any concentration. • Level of attainment and specific courses taken are not a deciding factor in qualification. Provisional applicants need not have any college coursework completed. ■ Completed 73-23 application found on ISBE’s Educator Licensure Career and Technical Educator webpage. • Applied online and paid fees through Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) . • Part I completed by the applicant. • All signatures collected for CTEP (Part II) . – Part II is not required if applying for ELS-CTE. • Completed previous employment history (Part III) . – One section for each employer/experience. • Listed program title with CIP (Part III) . – Current CIPs or program name or endorsement guidance. Using incorrect, outdated, or retired CIPs or only indicating cluster area may cause delays. • Filled in skills/responsibilities with respective hours

FAQs

What are the minimum qualification requirements for a CTE-ELS license?

The guide lists 60 college credit hours and 2,000 hours of work experience. If you do not have college credit hours, you need 8,000 hours of work experience instead.

How do applicants determine which endorsement best matches their experience?

Applicants are instructed to visit the ISBE website, navigate Topics A-Z, go to College & Career, select Career Technical Education, then open Programs of Study and the CTE Program Matrices. They should then find the SKILLS COURSE and verify their work experience aligns with the course description.

What is required when uploading documents to ELIS in order to apply?

Applicants must create an ELIS account or use the ELIS setup flow with a temporary number if they do not have a social security number. They then log in, select Images, and use the Add Image button to follow the prompts, while completing the required application forms and signatures before submission.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Finn