Substitute teaching, though often rewarding, is most frequently not a high-paying job. Pay for substitute teachers can range anywhere from about $8 to $30 per hour, and the average annual earnings for substitutes is $39,000.http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Substitute_Teacher,_K-12/Hourly_Ratehttp://www.indeed.com/salary/Substitute-Teacher.html However, substituting can be a great way to enter the educational system and "learn the ropes" for those potentially interested in a teaching career, and is the quickest path for someone with no teaching experience to get in a classroom and start working with students. On any given day, substitute teachers make up about 10% of a school's teaching staff.

The requirements for becoming a substitute teacher will vary from state to state. Some may require a full bachelor's degree and teachers certification, while others only require diploma and certification. It's important to contact your local licensing agency or school district to learn what the certifications are and how to acquire them.

• The qualifications necessary to be a substitute teacher vary not only from state to state, but within school districts themselves.http://www.nea.org/home/14813.htm

1. You need to contact your local school district--not your local school--about substitute requirements.
2. 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.
3. The quickest way to find out your local school district is to contact your state's department of education:

• 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 prospective substitute teachers to have the same education and credentials as regular teachers in the school system.http://www.nea.org/home/14813.htm

1. All states require substitute teachers to have completed high school or have successfully passed the General Educational Development (GED) exam.
2. Some states require substitute teachers 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.
3. A few states only require two years of college education, 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.
4. 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.http://www.nea.org/home/3232.htm A few states that require licensed teachers as candidate substitutes include Arizona, Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Oregon, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.
5. Usually states with higher education requirements have provisional requirements that allow people to who don't meet these requirements to substitute teach for a limited time (anywhere from 30 days to two years) until they have completed all of the necessary education and/or requirements. 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.
6. Oftentimes, some states will allow you to reach an equivalent education level through various trainings or licensing schools. Contact your local school district or search online for such certifications.

• Obtain and fill out substitute teacher's application at your local school district and return it with a cover letter and your resume.

1. All states will require you to fill out an application. These applications can almost always be obtained at your local school district.
2. 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.
3. Always check and double check spelling. Write neatly or type the application.

• Most states will require you to pass a medical examination, basic proficiency test and/or background check before you can work as a substitute teacher.

1. State requirements vary greatly.
2. 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.http://www.medicinenet.com/tuberculosis_skin_test_ppd_skin_test/article.htm States that require a TB test include Tennessee and Virginia.http://www.acps.k12.va.us/hr/substitute_orientations.php
3. Some states require you to take and pass a basic education proficiency test in reading, math and writing. An example of this test is the California Basic Skills Test (CBEST)] in California.http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/
4. 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.
5. 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 licenses or certificates for substitute teachers include Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Nevada.
6. There may be additional requirements from your state's department of education or school district which are not listed here. For example, some states have a minimum age requirement or require letters of recommendation and experience working with children.

• Once you have submitted the teacher's 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.

1. Decide which grades you feel most qualified to teach.http://education-portal.com/how_to_become_a_substitute_teacher.html
2. Be flexible until you have established yourself as a substitute teacher.
3. Don't assume that you won't like a particular grade until you've tried teaching it. You may be surprised.
4. Don't judge a grade or class from one bad (or good) experience.

• Some districts will require any potential substitute teachers to attend an orientation class or some type of substitute education and/or training. States known to have required training or orientation include Alaska, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

1. Training and orientations for substitute teachers are usually required and have limited availability. They will be offered more often in the fall than in the spring.
2. If your district has a substitute teacher's manual, read it thoroughly. It will help you understand what is expected of you and what you can expect on the job.
3. If your district does not offer any training, you may want to do your own homework on how to be an effective substitute teacher and learn some tricks of the trade. http://substituteteaching.wordpress.com/ http://www.qnet.com/~rsturgn/
4. You may also want to familiarize yourself with each school in advance. Go to each school's website and look at the bell schedule, school map and school handbook when available.

Applying to be a substitute teacher can seem like a never ending set of steps. While this might seem excessive, remember that the school is entrusting you with the health and safety of (on average) 150 children. Substitute teachers are usually in great demand, especially good ones. Consider the application process as a set of steps that help you prove you are worthy of the job. Good luck on the application and good luck finding the right school for you!