How to become a substitute teacher in Texas.

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School districts across Texas need qualified substitute teachers to lead students when their teachers are absent. If you’re thinking about becoming a substitute teacher in Texas, now is the time to apply—especially if you’re looking for a more flexible work schedule.

Since Kelly Education partners to hire substitute teachers for many school districts across Texas, we’re the experts in navigating the hiring process from initial application to employment.

While candidates must complete some basic steps, there are few demands for prospective substitute teachers in Texas. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not issue substitute teacher certification, so you won’t need to pursue excessive credentialing requirements. You should check your preferred district’s substitute teacher job description posting, as some districts have more conditions beyond the state rules. For example, many schools want their high school-level substitute teachers to be at least 21 years old.

Minimum Texas state requirements, at a glance*:

Age: 18 years old
Education: high school diploma or equivalent
I-9: Employment verification to work in the U.S.
Fingerprinting

In addition to Texas state requirements, Kelly Education requires:

National Sex Offender Registry check
Pre-hire training
New hire orientation

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

If you’re at least 18 and possess a high school diploma or high equivalency, it shouldn’t take long to get you into the classroom. The employment steps can take a few weeks—so your commitment to the process will ultimately determine the timeline.

When your district works with Kelly Education, we assist you in the hiring process.

Education verification.

First, you’ll need to request transcripts to verify that you have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. However, submitting proof of college coursework can only strengthen your candidacy and expand your employment opportunities. In fact, some school want substitute teachers to have at least 60 college credits or a bachelor’s degree.

You must request your official high school and/or college transcripts. This can take up to a week to process, and there is typically a small associated cost.

I-9: Employment verification.

Like most jobs, substitute teachers must provide proof that they can legally work in the U.S. To complete this step, you’ll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials. This form can be completed in just a few minutes. If working with Kelly Education, we’ll guide you through this process.

Background check and fingerprinting.

Background checks and fingerprinting are often the longest steps in the application process. In Texas, the state requires all substitute teacher candidates to pass a fingerprint-based criminal history check. Applicants with previous fingerprint checks on file within the Texas public school system may be permitted to bypass this step.

All Kelly Education candidates are reviewed through the National Sex Offender registry and county criminal records. This step can take up to a week, and court backups can delay the timeline. Regardless, these measures are vital to ensuring student safety and well-being.

Training.

While the TEA does not mandate a substitute teacher certification or license, interested candidates may consider obtaining a Texas teacher certification. Official certification requires a bachelor’s degree, teacher preparation training, and an examination, but certified individuals will be eligible for higher pay rates and more employment opportunities.

The TEA does not require a training course for substitute teachers. Regardless, all Kelly Education substitute teachers will complete pre-hire training. The free ClassSmarts training course is entirely online and requires less than two hours to complete.

All our substitute teachers also complete New Hire Orientation. Our orientation is a paid, one-hour virtual session about Kelly Education and school district policies and expectations.

Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.

Don’t delay the next chapter in your career. Kelly Education will help you every step of the way. To begin with one of our partner districts, fill out our interest form. We’ll contact you to answer your questions about substitute teaching.

Are you ready to make a difference with flexible work that matters? Click here to learn more about our substitute teacher jobs near you.

* Information subject to change. This is a general guideline. School districts may have more requirements, in addition to state requirements.