How to become a substitute teacher in Louisiana.

With 70 districts and over 1,300 schools, there are many opportunities to become a substitute teacher in Louisiana. Student success is paramount, so if you’re passionate about education and making a difference, this may be the position for you. 

Kelly Education works with hundreds of school districts throughout the country, including in Louisiana. We know what’s required to become a substitute teacher, and we’ve helped many get started in this rewarding career. As experts, we’re here to help you understand the entire process so you can meet the requirements. 

Below are the minimum requirements for substitute teachers in Louisiana. Keep in mind that each district can establish its own requirements in addition to what the state requires. Typically, additional district requirements for substitute teaching positions are listed in the job description. 

Minimum Louisiana state requirements, at a glance*:

• Certification: None required 
• Education: Minimum is high school diploma or equivalent 
• Age: 18 years old 
• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 
• Fingerprinting 
• Public Servant Ethics Course 

In addition to Louisiana state requirements, Kelly Education requires:

• Background check  
• Pre-hire training 
• New hire orientation 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

The Louisiana Department of Education (DOE) does not require or issue special certificates or permits for substitute teachers. However, individual districts may have requirements in addition to the state minimum. 

Education verification.

Applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. No additional certifications, college degrees, or college credits are required. If you do have college credits or a degree, it’s always a good idea to share that as well.  

You will likely have to request your transcripts and send them to the district or Kelly Education. The district or institution may have a small fee. 

Employer 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. 

Each district does require fingerprints to be on file with that district. So, if working in multiple districts, the substitute teacher will need to fingerprint again for the additional district. 

Because safety is important to our schools and students, Kelly Education also runs a National Sex Offender registry check and county criminal check on all applicants. 

Training.

The state of Louisiana requires teachers to take the Public Servant Ethics Course. This one-hour training can be completed online and must be repeated each year. 

In addition, Kelly Education requires that our substitute teachers complete a free pre-hire ClassSmarts online training that covers topics like ethics of teaching, legal obligations of educators, and classroom management techniques.  

Additionally, substitute teachers must complete our New Hire Orientation module before they can begin working in a classroom. This paid orientation discusses Kelly Education and district-specific procedures and policies. 

Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.

Kelly Education places thousands of substitute teachers in Louisiana schools each year. We’re excited to help you get started on this flexible and rewarding career path. Simply fill out our interest form, and a Kelly Education recruiter will get in touch with you to discuss 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. 

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