Certification Cost and Budgeting l Illinois

Carol Kumm

Apr 05, 2026

What You'll Pay for Certification

Preparing for certification costs is an important part of budgeting for your teaching program. Planning ahead can help you manage these expenses smoothly.

To start, consider setting aside funds for the maximum potential certification cost. If that isn't possible, save as much as you can to cover these expenses as they arise throughout your program.

Below, you'll find a breakdown of the certification costs specific to Illinois.

Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Amount	Who Pays This	Notes
Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS)	$95-122 per attempt	All certification-seeking students
Educator License with Stipluations (ELS) - Paraprofessional (APE)	$130-150	All certification-seeking students	$100 for the application fee $30-50 to register the license with a Regional Office of Education (ROE)
Background Check/Fingerprinting	$50-100	Varies by school and district. Check with yours for details.
edTPA assessment	$300 for full portfolio submission	All certification-seeking students	Retakes can cost an additional $100 per task. or $300 for the full portfolio. Additional score reports are $50.
Professional Educator License (PEL)	$150	All certification-seeking students	$100 for the application fee $50 for the registration fee. This is not paid until your program is complete.

Receiving Assistance to Cover Costs

You may have options to help offset these expenses:

Waivers ETS, the company that administers the Praxis exam, provides fee waivers for some college students who meet eligibility criteria. Check with ETS directly to see if you qualify.

Vouchers Some states provide vouchers for specific required tests and distribute them through Relay. These are often offered on a first-come, first-served basis—so respond quickly if one is offered to you.

Financial Aid If you qualify, certification costs may be added to your financial aid package. Submitting your FAFSA early can help secure this assistance.

Being proactive about certification expenses can help ensure a financially manageable program experience.

Questions?

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