Become a substitute teacher in California: the complete guide

Abbie Ginis

If you’re reading this guide, you likely have an inkling of how rewarding substitute teaching can be. You get to help out schools when they need a hand, keep students on track with their academic goals, all the while broadening and deepening your teaching skills.

However, without the right resources, it can be confusing to figure out how to make becoming a sub a reality. Luckily, we’ve got you covered!

Here is our comprehensive guide to becoming a substitute teacher in California.

Why become a sub

Before we dig into the process of becoming a substitute teacher, let’s focus on why subbing is such a rewarding path. As a substitute teacher, you get to:

Make a difference: Unexpected absences occur all the time, but lucky for everyone, substitute teachers will be there to fill in the gaps. Subs are called into classrooms that have a teacher on an unexpected leave, to schools in the process of searching for new permanent staff, and to school districts facing teacher shortages.
Choose your schedule: As a sub, you can work when you want, where you want, and for as long as you want. If you have other commitments, work another job, or need to take care of your family, subbing can fit easily around your schedule.
Boost your teaching skills: With all of this variety, you can hone your skills as an educator, gain more confidence in front of the classroom, and get the experience you need to meet any teaching challenge.
Pick your classroom: As a sub, you’re never confined to a certain subject or school. You can visit the classrooms that are most appealing to you and experience teaching students of all different ages and skill levels until you find one that you enjoy the most.
Prepare for a permanent position: Subbing is a great stepping stone to becoming a permanent teacher. In addition to gaining skills for the classroom, you’ll also be building crucial relationships with schools, administrators, and local communities.

Why Californians should start subbing

In addition to being able to give back to your community (and the career growth perks!), here are a few reasons why you’ll want to start substitute teaching:

Competitive pay: Substitute teaching in California is among the better-compensated options in the country, with pay varying by district, school type, and assignment length. Check with your local district for current rates — many districts have raised pay significantly in response to the shortage.y.
High variety: As the largest state in the country, California has nearly 5 million students enrolled in public schools in over 1,000 school districts. No matter what your teaching preferences, you’ll be able to find a classroom that suits you.
High demand: California schools are struggling with teacher shortages — 80% of school districts report that they are understaffed, with many predicting the problem to continue to worsen. So qualified, dedicated subs are gold in the Golden State. The students and schools need you, which makes your choice to become a sub that much more meaningful.

How to start substitute teaching in California

Requirements to Substitute Teach in California

To work as a substitute teacher through Swing Education in California, you’ll need to meet our minimum onboarding requirements. Some assignments, schools, or districts may require additional qualifications based on the role and student population served.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
Fingerprint clearance through a California DOJ and FBI background check (Live Scan)
Current tuberculosis (TB) clearance
Completion of Mandated Reporter Training (MRT) and Harassment Prevention Training (HPT)
Completion of Swing’s onboarding and employment verification requirements
A substitute or full-time teaching credential (optional, but highly beneficial)

Don’t have a substitute teaching permit?

You don’t need a California substitute teaching permit to apply or get started with many Swing opportunities. If you’re interested in obtaining a permit, we’ll help guide you through the process through our Permit Assist program. Learn more

Additional Requirements for Specialized or Certificated Roles

Gain access to more assignment opportunities by meeting the qualifications required for certain specialized teaching roles. Requirements may include:

+ Active California teaching credential or substitute teacher permits (See acceptable permits)
+ Special education experience or qualifications
+ Subject-matter expertise or relevant teaching experience
+ CPR and First Aid certification
+ Early childhood education (ECE) units, certifications, or qualifications
+ District-required training, orientation, or compliance documentation

Important Note

Requirements may vary by school, district, and assignment type. Additional qualifications may be needed for long-term, credentialed, special education, or other specialized teaching roles.

How to get a background check

To keep students safe, California requires all substitute teachers to complete a Live Scan fingerprint background check. You can get this done at many UPS stores, WellnessMart locations, and local police departments or sheriff’s offices. Bring a valid ID, your Live Scan form, and payment.

Subbing with Swing? We’ll provide your Live Scan form and walk you through every step. See full instructions →

How to get a TB test

The state also requires that all staff working with students provide evidence of a negative tuberculosis scan.

If substitute teaching with Swing in California, most substitutes just need to complete our easy Risk Assessment questionnaire – you’ll see it when you start onboarding! It takes just a few minutes.

If you happen not to pass the Risk Assessment or are subbing directly through the state, then a TB test is an easy two-step process, which can be done at:

Any WellnessMart location
If you can’t make it to a WellnessMart, you can go to your doctor or any other clinic.

Additional Swing-specific requirements

If you choose to sub with Swing, there are a few additional requirements you must complete before you are ready to take your first substitute assignment.

Set up employee status

After a Swing sub has completed the background check, vaccination, and TB requirements, they can move on to final steps:

Fill out an I-9 form
Attend our virtual orientation
Set up an employee account: direct deposit, employment forms, tax forms

We protect all information submitted to us by substitutes; Swing gives personal privacy the utmost attention.

How to get a substitute teaching permit

Getting a California sub permit will allow you to access the most teaching opportunities, including those in public school districts. While not all substitute teaching roles require a permit, those with credentials have access to over two times as many positions (and higher pay!).

Want to learn more about how Swing helps expedite the substitute teaching permit process? Check out the Permit Assist Program.

There are three different kinds of permits to consider:

Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit — the best choice for most prospective subs
Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers — for subs currently studying to become credentialed teachers
Emergency Career Substitute Permit — for experienced California subs

Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit

Get this permit if you’re just starting out and aren’t currently in school to become a certified teacher. With this permit you can:

Teach as a day-to-day substitute in any classroom.
Move from classroom to classroom throughout the entire school year, and you can sub for any individual teacher for up to 30 days (or up to 20 days for an individual teacher in special education classrooms) before moving on to another teacher’s classroom

The permit is valid for one year, and may be renewed repeatedly.

For more information about how Swing can help you obtain your substitute teaching permit, check out the Permit Assist Program.

Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers

Get this permit if you’re currently enrolled in an accredited institution to become a certified teacher in California. With this permit you can:

Teach as a day-to-day substitute in any classroom.
Sub for any individual teacher for up to 30 days (or up to 20 days for an individual teacher in special education classrooms) before moving on to another teacher’s classroom.

The permit is valid for one year, and may be renewed only once.

In addition to the standard substitute teaching qualifications, you must also:

Provide transcripts for a minimum of 90 semester units of coursework at an accredited institution.
Verify that you’re enrolled at an accredited 4-year institution in California with either official transcripts or a letter from the registrar.

For more information about how Swing can help you obtain your substitute teaching permit, check out the Permit Assist Program.

Emergency Career Substitute Permit

Get this permit if you’re an experienced sub who has subbed for at least 90 days each year for three recent consecutive years in a single California county. This permit will allow you to sub in the same classroom longer than the 30-day permit. With this permit you can:

Teach as a day-to-day substitute in any classroom.
Work as a substitute teacher for up to 60 days for any one teacher during the school year (or up to 20 days for an individual teacher in special education classrooms).

The permit is valid for one year, and may be renewed repeatedly.

In addition to the standard substitute teaching qualifications, you must also:

Provide transcripts for your bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited institution.
Verify recent experience totaling at least 90 days of subbing per year for three recent consecutive years in a single California county.
Provide a letter of endorsement from the district superintendent or the county office of education.

For more information, visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

How Swing helps with certification

What is Permit Assist?

The Permit Assist program is a unique offering to Swing that simplifies, subsidizes, and helps expedite your path to an Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit.

With the Permit Assist program you get:

More work and better pay: On average, credentialed subs have access 2x more requests on the Swing platform and 20% higher pay rates.
Less hassle: Permit Assist simplifies and helps expedite the application process. Some subs get their permit in as little as 2 weeks after submission!
$150 stipend to cover costs: Onboarded subs will get a $150 stipend after they receive their permit and submit receipts.

How does it work?

Applying for a permit doesn’t have to be complicated.

1. Register for Permit Assist (click here)
2. Complete all application materials
Instructions vary by county, but generally include:

Account registration and forms
Get a new Live Scan
Order transcripts
Permit payment

3. Get your permit and $150 stipend
4. Work more and earn more as a credentialed sub!

More detailed instructions and FAQ can be found here.

Useful Links

For more information, check out these helpful resources:

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