HowToGetLicensed

Teacher License: New York vs Illinois

Thinking about getting your teacher license? Here's how New York and Illinois compare on education requirements, exam fees, total costs, and renewal obligations.

Requirement New York Illinois
Education Hours 3500 hours 3400 hours
Exam NYSTCE (edTPA + CST + EAS) Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) + edTPA
Application Fee $100 $100
Exam Fee $600 $600
Total Estimated Cost $47,500 - $48,500 $41,500 - $42,500
Renewal Period Every 5 years Every 5 years
CE Hours 100 hours 120 hours
Renewal Fee $100 $100

Which State Is Easier or Cheaper?

Lower cost: Illinois is the more affordable option, with an average total cost of $41,500-$42,500 compared to $47,500-$48,500.

Fewer education hours: Illinois requires 3400 hours of pre-license education, compared to 3500 hours in New York.

Full State Guides

Compare teacher requirements across all 50 states →