Initial Certificate Renewal - Less than 4 years of Experience

Initial certificate holders, whether employed in public or nonpublic schools, must meet the requirements to move from Initial to Standard certification. To do so, you must accrue four years of teaching experience and complete one of the professional development options.   If your certificate registration expires and you do not have four years of teaching experience you must reregister the Initial certificate.  Registration runs on a fiscal year July 1 to June 30. Therefore, it is quite possible that your registration will expire before you have four years of teaching experience.  There is no limit to the number of times you can register the Initial if you do not have the required four years of teaching experience. The renewal and registration process must be completed by June 30th.

Once you have four years of teaching experience you must meet professional development requirements and apply for the Standard certificate.  ECS has links to User Manuals for Initial Certificate Renewal  (link: https://sec1.isbe.net/ecs/aspapps/ECSInitialRenewalManual.pdf)  with step by step instructions and renewal requirements.

Step by Step Initial To Standard ECS Renewal 

 DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to initiate the renewal process.  There are a few basic steps for recertification:

1.      Log into ECS (link: https://sec1.isbe.net/ecs/)

2.      Confirm/correct Profile, Credential, Degree and Exemption information

3.      Enter your Professional Development (optional)

4.      Register/Renew certificate.  Your certificate is not be considered current and valid if you omit this step. There are three options to register/renew certificate(s):

a.       ECS:  Payment is by credit card. Be sure to register in Lee/Ogle ROE 47 OR

b.      Mail:  Download the Certificate registration Form 73-10 (link: http://www.isbe.net/certification/pdf/73-10_registration_form.pdf.  Mail with check for $20.00 payable to Lee/Ogle ROE 47. Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. Updated registration status can be confirmed in ECS within 10 -14 business days.

c.       In person at the R.O.E: Cash, check, or credit card accepted for payment.

ISBE Links to Certificate Renewal Topic:  

 Initial Certificates – When and How to move to a Standard Certificate: http://isbe.net/certification/html/new_teacher.htm 

Step by Step Initial To Standard ECS Renewal 

Pam Brey, Certification Officer

E-mail questions to pbrey@leeogle.org