How to Become a Substitute Teacher

Guide Note

Most people have wondered what is necessary to become a substitute teacher, but had no idea how to go about it. While requirements vary from state to state, your local school district can help guide you through the process. Following these few steps will guide you on how to become a substitute teacher.

Introduction
Step 1: Contact School District
Step 2: Education
Step 3: Application
Step 4: Additional Requirements
Step 5: Register
Step 6: Training Classes
Conclusion
References

Substitute Teacher Tips

Contact your local school district, not your local school, for an application.
Remember spelling and neatness counts.
Requirements necessary to be a substitute teacher are lower in districts with a higher demand for them.
Pay for substitutes averages about $75 per day.
Fees involved for background checks, substitute teaching licenses and other items necessary to become a substitute teacher ranges from $30 to $100.
Keep a copy of all documents you submit to use when applying in other school districts.

Mahalo Career How Tos

by Darcy Logan

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Darren Hester)

Substitute teaching is a great job for anyone who enjoys working with children. On any given day, substitutes make up about 10% of the teaching staff.¹ As a result, the need for substitutes is constantly high. According to an National Education Association (NEA) survey, over 42% of school districts report that they do not have enough substitute teachers to meet their needs.²

Substitute teaching is not a high-paying job; pay for substitute teachers can range anywhere from $55 to $145 per day and averages about $75 per day.³ ⁴ Pay varies based on the school's location, the need for qualified substitutes in the area and the substitute's qualifications. If you have ever thought of becoming a substitute teacher, this page will help you get started.

Step 1: Contact Your Local School District

(Creative Commons photo by peiqianlong)

The qualifications necessary to be a substitute teacher vary not only from state to state, but within school districts themselves.⁵

You need to contact your local school district, not your local school.
Most states organize their school districts by county and/or city. However, some states (such as Kentucky and Texas) have "independent" school districts that do not conform to municipal or county boundaries.
The quickest way to find out your local school district is to contact your state's department of education:

Step 2: Complete the Proper Amount of Education

(Creative Commons photo by Christopher Vasquez)

The amount of education necessary to be a substitute teacher varies from state to state. While some areas only require a high school diploma, other areas require substitutes to have the same credentials as teachers.⁵

All states require substitute teachers to have completed high school or have successfully passed the General Educational Development (GED) exam.
Some states require substitutes to have obtained a bachelor's degree, but do not require them to have a teaching license. You may be required to submit an official transcript to the school district. States that require a bachelor's degree include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio and West Virginia.
A few states only require two years of college or require substitute teachers to have completed a set number of credit hours (usually about 60 hours). These states include Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, Virginia and Wyoming.
A handful of states require substitutes to be fully accredited teachers (meaning they have a bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate) or to have completed all the requirements necessary.² A few states that require licensed teachers include Arizona, Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Oregon, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.
Usually states with higher education requirements have provisional requirements that allow people to substitute teach that don't meet these requirements for a limited time (anywhere from 30 days to two years) until they have obtained all the requirements necessary. For example, in Colorado you can substitute for a year with only a high school diploma and three years with a bachelor's degree. Any longer than that and you will are required to have a valid teaching certificate or license.

Step 3: Fill Out an Application

Obtain and fill out an application at your local school district and return it with a cover letter and your resume.

All states will require you to fill out an application. These applications can almost always be obtained at your local school district.
For better results, attach a copy of your resume and a cover letter.
- Visit Mahalo's How to Write a Resume and How to Write a Cover Letter for additional information.
Always check and double check spelling. Write neatly or type the application.

Step 4: Complete Any Additional Requirements

(Creative Commons photo by Jim Gordon)

Most states will require you to pass a medical examination, basic proficiency test and/or background check.

State requirements vary greatly.
Many states will require you to have a basic medical examination along with a negative Tuberculosis (TB) test. Typically, this is a skin test where tuberculin units are injected under the skin. The test needs to be "read" 48-72 hours later.⁶ States that require a TB test include Tennessee and Virginia.⁷
Some states require you to take and pass a basic proficiency test in reading, math and writing. An example of this test is the California Basic Skills Test (CBEST) in California.⁸
Complete any background checks and/or be fingerprinted. These checks are typically done by the local law enforcement or the state's bureau of investigations. States that require fingerprinting or background checks include (but are not limited to) Arizona, California, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Apply for a substitute teacher license (where applicable) and pay any application fees. These fees can run anywhere from $30 to $100. Some of the states that require substitute licenses or certificates include Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Nevada.
There may be additional requirements for your state or school district that are not listed here. For example, some states have a minimum age requirement or require letters of recommendation and experience working with children.

Step 5: Register with the School District

Once you have submitted the application and met all the requirements set up by the school district, you will need to let the school district know your availability and preferences.

Decide which which grades do you feel most qualified to teach.⁹
Be flexible until you have established yourself as a substitute.
Don't assume that you won't like a particular grade until you've tried it. You many be surprised.
Don't judge a grade or class from one experience.

Step 6: Attend Any Orientation or Substitute Training Classes