This section provides the requirements for initial eligibility on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) for training providers and programs. Registered Apprenticeship Programs are subject to separate procedures established by the State in the Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) section of this policy. New training providers, except for RAPs, with training programs (programs of study), must apply for Initial Eligibility following this guidance:

1. In-State Training Provider
   1. Training Provider Responsibility
      1. All training providers with a training site(s) in Illinois seeking to be listed on the ETPL must apply following the procedures outlined in the Application for Initial Eligibility of Training Providers and Training Programs section of this policy.
      2. Training providers should use the ETPL Training Provider and Program Determination Flow Chart (see the Attachments tab) to determine if they are eligible providers.
      3. In-state training providers must apply for training program initial eligibility from the LWIB where the program is geographically headquartered through the Illinois Workforce Development System.
         1. Training providers with a training program(s) located within the boundaries of a single Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA) must apply to the LWIB where its program is geographically located;
         2. Training providers with identical training programs offered in multiple LWIAs must apply to the LWIB in which the training provider has identified as its headquarters and/or primary location; or
         3. Training providers with training programs offered in multiple LWIAs but not substantially identical across the various LWIAs must apply to each LWIB in which the training program is provided.
      4. The routing process detailed above is intended to facilitate orderly review and submission and does not restrict a provider’s eligibility for inclusion on the State ETPL if all federal criteria are met.
      5. Training Providers must respond within five (5) business days to any request for clarification.
   2. Local ETPL Coordinator Responsibility
      1. The Local ETPL Coordinator must review and make a recommendation for approval or denial of a provider’s program application in IWDS 2.0 based on the initial eligibility criteria established by this policy within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of a completed application and documentation.
         1. If an eligibility determination cannot be made with the information submitted, the Local ETPL Coordinator must request additional information and still finish the review within the same thirty (30) calendar day period.
      2. Initial eligibility does not require program performance data, but providers must submit assurances of legal operation, alignment with in-demand occupations, future performance reporting, and WIOA compliance.
   3. State ETPL Coordinator Responsibility
      1. The State ETPL Coordinator must review recommendations for approval or denial of a provider’s program application in IWDS 2.0 made by the LWIB Coordinators and make a determination within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the local recommendation.
         1. If an eligibility determination cannot be made with the information submitted, the State ETPL Coordinator must request additional information and still finish the review within the same fifteen (15) calendar day period. 
2. Distance Education and Out-of-State Training Providers
   1. Training Provider Responsibility
      1. Distance Education and Out-of-State training providers must apply for initial eligibility to the State ETPL Coordinator through the Illinois Workforce Development System.
      2. All distance education providers (training services are only held online, via audio conference, etc.) and out-of-state training providers (those providers who are headquartered, and do not have a physical presence in the state of Illinois) seeking initial eligibility to be listed on the ETPL must apply for eligibility following the procedures outlined in the Initial Eligibility of Training Providers and Training Programs section of this policy.
      3. For purposes of state oversight, providers with physical or administrative presence in Illinois may be subject to state quality review. However, lack of physical presence does not automatically disqualify a provider from ETPL listing if all federal eligibility criteria are met.
      4. Training providers and their programs must be listed on the ETPL in the state in which they are headquartered and have a physical presence.
      5. The training provider must gather the information required in the Requirements for Initial Eligibility of Training Providers and Training Programs under WIOA Title I (see the Attachments tab) and follow the guidance in the Initial Eligibility of Training Providers and Training Programs section of this policy.
      6. Training Providers must respond within five (5) business days to any request for clarification.
   2. Local ETPL Coordinator Responsibility
      1. If a distance education or out-of-state training provider contacts an Local ETPL Coordinator, the local coordinator must refer the provider to the State ETPL Coordinator at CEO.OET.etplcoord@illinois.gov for assistance.
   3. State ETPL Coordinator Responsibility
      1. The State ETPL Coordinator must review a distance education or out-of-state training provider’s program application in IWDS 2.0 for initial eligibility based on the initial eligibility criteria established by this policy within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of a completed application and documentation.
         1. If an eligibility determination cannot be made with the information submitted, the State ETPL Coordinator must request additional information and still finish the review within the same thirty (30) calendar day period.
      2. Initial eligibility does not require program performance data, but providers must submit assurances of legal operation, alignment with in-demand occupations, future performance reporting, and WIOA compliance.
3. Programs approved for initial eligibility will be placed on the State ETPL for a one (1) year period from the date of approval.
4. Programs denied initial eligibility will follow the guidance outlined in the Denial of Eligibility of Training Providers and Training Programs section of this policy.