How to become a substitute teacher: steps and requirements

By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Irene Abrego Nicolet, PhD, NCSP, LSSP, Vice President and Dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Reading Time: 11 minutes

Job growth projections and salary figures are drawn from Lightcast data and reflect national trends. Actual outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, industry, location, skills and economic conditions, and are not representative of Capella University graduate results.

In most states, you can become a substitute teacher by meeting your state’s minimum education requirements (often a high school diploma or a degree), passing a background check and applying to school districts or a staffing platform.

That said, the path isn't one-size-fits-all. Requirements are different in every state and sometimes even from district to district.

If you’re curious about teaching but want real classroom experience before committing to a full degree program, substitute teaching gives you that starting point, on a schedule that fits around your job or family life.

Get the clarity you need to become a substitute teacher by understanding what the role involves, along with a general overview of the necessary education and state-specific credentials. Also, learn how substitute teaching experience combined with the right degree can strengthen your path toward a full-time teaching career down the road.

Key takeaways

• Education requirements: Most states require at least a high school diploma, though some districts require college credits or a bachelor’s degree, especially for long-term assignments.
• Screening process: Every state requires a background check, and many also require fingerprinting and child-safety clearances before you can start.
• Certification varies widely: Some states require a substitute teaching license or permit, while others let you begin with just a background check and proof of education.
• A stepping stone: Many substitute teachers use the role to build classroom experience while working toward a full-time teaching credential.
   

What does a substitute teacher do?

A substitute teacher steps in to lead a classroom when the regular or full-time teacher is unavailable, keeping instruction and daily routines on track in their absence. They cover planned or unexpected leaves, including sick days, professional development days, emergencies and extended periods of leave.

While the specifics can shift from one assignment to the next, most substitute teaching roles share a core set of responsibilities:

• Deliver the lesson plan and activities prepared by the regular classroom teacher.
• Manage classroom behavior, maintaining the routines and expectations students are used to.
• Record student attendance and follow the school’s procedures for absence management.
• Communicate with school staff about the daily activities, student progress or concerns.
• Monitor students during class, transitions and other activities as required.

These duties can be different for every school and the type of substitute position you take on.

Pay also varies by assignment type, location and other factors. For instance, the annual median yearly income for short-term substitute teachers in the U.S. was $41,662 in 2025, according to Lightcast. This pay may be different for long-term and building substitute roles.

Types of substitute teachers

Understanding the different substitute roles can help you figure out which type best fits your schedule and goals. The qualifications to become a substitute teacher also vary for each  type.

• Short-term substitute teachers cover individual days or brief periods when a regular teacher is absent. They follow existing lesson plans and may work across different classrooms or schools.
• Long-term substitute teachers step in for extended absences, such as parental or medical leave. They can take on more responsibility for planning and grading over several weeks or months.
• Building (resident) substitute teachers are employed by a single school and report daily, ready to be assigned to whatever classroom needs coverage that day.
   

No matter the type, the exact qualifications and expectations can shift depending on your school or district.

How to become a substitute teacher step by step

Here’s a breakdown of the general process to become a substitute teacher.

1. Check your stateʼs requirements

The first real step is finding out your state’s specific requirements to qualify for substitute teaching. To do this, you can:

• Identify your state’s department of education and review its current criteria for substitute teachers. You can use the U.S. Department of Education’s directory of state education agency contacts to find the appropriate board.
• Check whether your state has additional processes beyond the standard criteria. For example, in New York, a school principal must nominate a candidate before they can apply to become a substitute teacher, while Ohio offers a separate temporary license track for substitutes without a bachelor’s degree.
   

The NASDTEC State Directory Map is another useful resource for locating your state’s licensing authority.

2. Complete your education

Next, make sure you meet the academic requirements for your state. In some states, a high school diploma or GED is enough to begin substitute teaching.

But if youʼre aiming for a long-term career in this field, you may want to consider earning a bachelor’s degree in education. Itʼs also the foundation for advanced degrees in education, which can prepare you to pursue senior roles in administration and leadership in the future.

A bachelorʼs degree is required to qualify for a professional teaching license in most states. If you’re interested in full-time teaching, here’s a more detailed explanation on how to become a teacher.

Educational qualifications can also be higher for long-term substitute roles. For example, applicants for a one-year substitute authorization in Colorado must have a high school diploma.

But applicants for the three-year authorization require a bachelor’s degree or higher from an institutionally accredited university, which means it must be recognized by one of the associations accepted by the state. You can find the accepted organizations in Colorado here, and you can usually find the valid accreditations for your state on its education board website.

3. Complete a background check and required clearances

Because substitute teachers work directly with students, schools ask for background checks and other screenings to protect students’ safety. The exact processes differ by state and district, but here’s a general overview of what you can expect.

• Fingerprinting: Most states require fingerprint submission for state and federal background checks.
• Criminal background check: Schools can review state and federal criminal history records as part of the hiring or certification process.
• Child abuse clearance: Some states require a separate clearance specific to child welfare records.
• Identity verification: Nearly all schools ask for documents that verify your identity, like a government-issued ID.
• Additional district-specific conditions: Individual districts may have additional screening, forms, references or training programs.
   

Check your state department of education’s website for specific instructions on submitting fingerprints and obtaining any required clearances. Processing times for background checks can vary, so check with your state for current estimates and start this step early to avoid delays.

Apart from these clearances, you’ll need to confirm that you’re legally authorized to work in the U.S. through Form I-9, a federal form that verifies your identity and employment eligibility using documents like a passport, driver’s license or Social Security card.

4. Earn your certification or license

Depending on your state, you may need a substitute teaching license, an emergency permit, certificate or other credential. An emergency permit is a short-term authorization that lets you substitute teach without meeting all the licensing requirements. It’s often used to help districts fill urgent staffing gaps.

Each credential lasts for a defined period of time and has specific conditions on how often you can teach during the school year.

For example, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) has four different permits for substitute teachers. The most basic of these, The Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit, is valid for one year and allows holders to substitute for one teacher for a maximum of 30 days per school year.

If your state requires a credential, you can complete the teacher certification pathways through its department of education or educator licensing agency. This process involves submitting documents such as your official transcripts, proof of identity and background check results, and paying the application fees.

You may also need to renew your substitute permits or licenses periodically by submitting a renewal application, paying a fee or completing additional processes. Staying on top of renewal deadlines can help you avoid gaps in your ability to work.

Because licensure and certification requirements vary by state, you should review any applicable state regulations before enrolling in any academic program, including those offered by Capella University.

5. Apply to school districts or staffing agencies

Once your credentials are in order, you can look for substitute teaching assignments by applying to school districts, or by working with a staffing agency that places substitutes across multiple schools.

Applying directly to a public school district can involve a more traditional hiring process, working one-on-one with that district’s HR office. This approach can give you access to assignments within that district or its schools.

You can also apply to charter schools or private schools, although they have their own hiring qualifications and processes.

Staffing agencies and online substitute teaching services connect qualified candidates with assignments across many districts. They may also handle some administrative work on behalf of partner schools and could help you navigate permit processes.

This route can give you more flexibility when picking assignments, but it also offers less direct control over which schools you work with. The right entry point into substitute teaching for you depends on how much flexibility versus structure you want.

6. Complete orientation or training

In many districts and staffing agencies, you need to complete an orientation session or training program before you’re cleared to start. These programs usually cover essential policies, school safety procedures, technology and the basics of classroom management, so you feel more prepared for your first day as a teacher.

Benefits of substitute teaching for working adults

Substitute teaching can be a flexible, low-barrier path for working adults to explore education careers and build toward their long-term professional goals.

• Decide your own schedule: Substitute teachers can choose which assignments to accept based on their availability, making it easier to balance the role with other priorities, including work, family responsibilities or online degree programs.
• Gain real-world experience: Substitute teaching can give you hands-on classroom experience from the start, helping you develop practical skills such as classroom management strategies, communication and adapting to different teaching styles.
• Explore diverse grade levels and subjects: Working across different classrooms can help you decide which age group or subject area you’re most drawn to. This can be useful in choosing a master’s specialization if you decide to go that route.
• Build a foundation for a future teaching credential: Substitute teaching can give you classroom exposure while you work toward meeting the education qualifications for a full-time teaching career.
• Develop your professional network: Working in different schools can help you build relationships with teachers, administrators, principals and other education professionals. These connections can give you insight into schools and career opportunities as you plan your next step.
• Take advantage of current demand: Substitute teaching roles may be more accessible than a full-time teaching position because they can have lower education or certification demands. However, it still depends on where you’re applying and what type of role you’re taking on.

Ongoing demand for classroom coverage and teacher shortages in many areas can also create opportunities for qualified substitutes. According to Lightcast data, there were 3,874 job postings for short-term substitute teachers per month from January 2025 to July 2026.

Can substitute teaching lead to a full-time teaching career?

Substitute teaching alone isn’t typically enough to get you into a full-time teaching role, but it can meaningfully support that path. Beyond the benefits covered in the previous section, it offers advantages for working adults that can carry over once you’ve completed the required degree and certification.

• Demonstrating teaching ability: Consistent, reliable substitute work can help you showcase your professional traits and build a track record that administrators may remember when a permanent position opens up.
• Complementing formal preparation: Classroom experience can provide useful context for the coursework and student teaching that are part of a teacher preparation pathway.
• Understanding teaching realities: Substitute assignments show you the daily realities of teaching, before you invest significant time and money in coursework or a teacher preparation program.

If you decide that a full-time teaching career is the direction you want to pursue, the path typically involves earning a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, completing an approved teacher preparation program and meeting your state’s licensure requirements for a professional teaching license.

You can find more details on this process through this article on the degree needed to pursue a teaching career.

Ready to take the next step?

You now have a clearer picture of what it takes to become a substitute teacher. The next move is putting it into action.

Your journey starts with three core steps: meeting your stateʼs requirements, completing background checks and screenings and understanding the certification or permit rules for your district.

If your heart lies in being an educator and you want to pursue specialized or administrative roles over time, Capella University offers online master’s and doctoral degrees in education that can help you prepare for diverse career paths in education without pausing your current role.