If you are looking for part-time work that gives back to your community, you may be interested in becoming a substitute teacher. But where to start? Each state (and sometimes city or even school district) has different substitute teacher requirements, and it can be challenging to understand exactly what you need to do to become a substitute teacher. 

At Swing, we’re dedicated to making the process of becoming a substitute teacher easier. We currently operate in Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C. and we’ve created a comprehensive overview of the substitute teacher requirements in each of these states.

MORE GUIDES TO BECOMING A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER: New Jersey | Texas | California | Arizona | Washington D.C. | Illinois | New York

We will continue to update this page as we work with new states, so check back if you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher in a state that’s not currently listed. 

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How to become a substitute teacher in:
Arizona
California
Illinois
New Jersey
New York
Texas
Washington, D.C.

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How to substitute teach in Arizona

Arizona has a relatively easy path to earning your substitute teaching certification. In fact, the state does not have any additional testing requirements. 

Here are the qualifications for substitute teachers in Arizona:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution,  
• A fingerprint-based FBI/DOJ background check, and
• An application for certification. 

To apply for certification, you’ll need to: 

• Pay a $60 processing fee, 
• Provide a photocopy of your fingerprint clearance card, and
• Provide your official transcripts. 

For more in-depth information on the requirements and steps for becoming a substitute teacher in Arizona, check out our Complete guide to substitute teaching in Arizona. 

How to become a substitute teacher in California

To substitute teach in California, you’ll likely want to get your substitute teaching permit. While not all substitute teaching roles require a permit, those with credentials have access to over two times as many positions (and higher pay!). 

Here are the qualifications for substitute teachers in California: 

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution,
• A fingerprint-based FBI/DOJ background check,
• Proof of a negative tuberculosis scan, and
• A substitute or full-time teaching credential (optional, but highly beneficial)

To earn your substitute teaching credential, you’ll need to:

• Pass a basic skills test, 
• Pay the $100 processing fee, and
• Obtain an additional Live Scan fingerprint and background check

For more in-depth information on the requirements and steps for becoming a substitute teacher in California, check out our Complete guide to substitute teaching in California. 

How to become a substitute teacher in Illinois

It’s also a great time to become a substitute teacher in Illinois because Chicago Public Schools has taken an innovative approach to incentivizing substitute teachers and improving the experience of being a substitute. 

Here are the qualifications for substitute teachers in Illinois:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution,
• A fingerprint-based FBI/DOJ background check,
• Proof of a negative tuberculosis scan, and
• A substitute teaching license or a Professional Educator License (PEL)

To earn your substitute teaching license or a Professional Educator License (PEL), you’ll need to:

• Apply for a Substitute License in the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS). 
• Pay the $50 application fee, and
• Have your regionally accredited institution send your official transcripts to the Illinois State Board of Education

For more in-depth information on the requirements and steps for becoming a substitute teacher in Illinois, check out our Complete guide to substitute teaching in Illinois.

How to become a substitute teacher in New Jersey

There are a few different paths to substitute teaching in New Jersey. The most straightforward one is to obtain your substitute credential, which allows you to work as a substitute for 20 instructional days per school year.  

Here are the qualifications for substitute teachers in New Jersey:

• At least 60 semester-hour credits at a regionally accredited college or university OR to be enrolled in a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 semester-hour credit
• A fingerprint-based FBI/DOJ background check,
• Proof of a negative tuberculosis scan, and
• A substitute credential 

To earn your substitute credential, you’ll need to:

• Seek and obtain a sponsor school district or organization for criminal history record clearance,
• Complete a criminal history record check process, and
• Apply for the substitute credential online. 

For more in-depth information on the requirements and steps for becoming a substitute teacher in New Jersey, check out our Complete guide to substitute teaching in New Jersey.

How to become a substitute teacher in New York

Although New York state does not have a minimum educational requirement for substitute teachers, many schools, districts, and substitute teacher companies do. For this reason, Swing Education requires all of its New York substitute teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree.

Additionally, there are advantages to subbing with a certificate. For instance, without one, you are limited to working 40 days in a given school year. If you are working towards your certification at a rate of at least six semester hours per year, you can also teach in any capacity, for any number of days. 

Here are the qualifications for substitute teachers in New York:

• An online nomination by a school Principal
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• A fingerprint-based FBI/DOJ background check
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the English language

You can find more information about getting your full-time teaching certification in New York from the New York State Education Department. 

For more in-depth information on the requirements and steps for becoming a substitute teacher in New York, check out our Complete guide to substitute teaching in New York.

How to become a substitute teacher in Texas

To substitute teach in Texas, you do not need a specific substitute credential. While some school districts post jobs that do require a permit, you can typically work as a substitute teacher (sometimes called an “associate teacher”) without one (although there are some benefits to earning your credential). 

Here are the qualifications for substitute teachers in Texas:

• A high school diploma or GED (depends on the district), or
• 60+ college credit hours (depends on the district), or
• 90+ college credit hours with a minimum 2.5 GPA (depends on the district), and
• A fingerprint-based FBI/DOJ background check
• To complete a substitute orientation or one-day training course

For more in-depth information on the requirements and steps for becoming a substitute teacher in Texas, check out our Complete guide to substitute teaching in Texas.

How to become a substitute teacher in Washington D.C.

To substitute teach in Washington D.C., you do not need a specific substitute teacher permit, and a teaching certificate is also not required. 

Here are the requirements for becoming a substitute teacher in Washington, D.C.:

• 60 credit hours or more in lieu of a conferred degree, 
• 1-2 years’ experience working with students in a classroom setting, or
• Experience as a retired teachers in DCPS and other U.S. school districts, or
• A professional reference letter
• A fingerprint-based FBI/DOJ background check
• Proof of a negative tuberculosis scan and drug test
• An application to substitute teach

For more in-depth information on the requirements and steps for becoming a substitute teacher in Washington, DC, check out our Complete guide to substitute teaching in Washington, DC.