How to become a substitute teacher in Ohio.

It’s a great time to become a substitute teacher in the Buckeye State. When schools are short on full-time instructors, substitute teachers are vital to supporting students’ learning and development. 

Kelly Education works with school districts across the U.S. to find and train qualified substitute teachers. So, we’re experts in understanding the substitute teacher certification process. 

All candidates for Ohio substitute teachers must obtain a license through the State Board of Education (SBE), the state’s Department of Education rulemaking agency. Prospective applicants must first contact their preferred school district, as the school helps coordinate the licensing process and must sign off on the application. 

Depending on your qualifications, you have two tracts for substitute teacher certification: 

• Temporary Non-Bachelor’s Degree Substitute Teaching License 

• Standard Substitute Teaching License 

Please note that an individual school district’s substitute teacher job description may contain prerequisites beyond the SBE’s hiring conditions. 

Minimum Ohio state requirements, at a glance*: 

• Certification: A substitute teacher license 

• Education: For the standard license, a bachelor’s degree (in any field) from an accredited college or university 

• Age: 18 years old 

• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 

• Fingerprinting 

• Background check 

• Training: None, though most school districts facilitate a mandatory onboarding/orientation class 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

Before the pandemic, all Ohio substitute teachers were required to obtain a bachelor’s degree. However, the SBE has eased those standards in recent years and created a short-term licensing track for individuals without an undergraduate education. Depending on your level of education, you have two credentialing options: 

• The Temporary Non-Bachelor’s Degree Substitute Teaching License is a one-year certification. Your employing school district dictates the minimum education hiring requirements (whether a high school diploma or some college) and must request the license on your behalf. 

• The Standard Substitute Teaching License requires a bachelor’s degree in any subject. However, applicants with a degree in education will have more options for their teaching field and age group. 

The SBE has a step-by-step application guide for each licensure path. Once all documentation is ready, the application takes just ten minutes to complete. To submit an application, you will have to pay a fee of $25 (for a one-year license) or $125 (for a five-year permit). Processing times vary depending on the number of licensure requests in the system. 

Education verification. 

While a short-term substitute teaching option exists for individuals without a college degree, the SBE’s standard license requires proof of a bachelor’s degree. You must submit official transcripts for all completed undergraduate coursework. Contact your institution’s registrar’s office to make this request. Most schools facilitate transcript requests within a few days, though you will likely pay a small fee (less than $20). 

Employment verification.

All Ohio substitute teachers must submit a federal I-9 form to prove eligibility to work in the U.S. Your employing district will need you to submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials. 

Background check and fingerprinting.

Ohio substitute teaching staff must undergo a formal background check. All candidates complete both a Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) check with fingerprinting and an FBI criminal background. The school district can provide more specific instructions as to where you’ll complete this step. You are responsible for the fees associated with your background check. The state BCI check costs $30, and the federal FBI check costs $28. 

Training.

Ohio’s SBE does not mandate formal training for substitute teachers. However, school districts and hiring agencies will likely provide an onboarding course. Contact your school’s human resources office to determine any specific training courses or orientations for their substitute teacher jobs. 

Getting started as a substitute teacher.

Get started today. Substitute teaching is a great way to gain valuable professional experience and support your community. Connect with the school where you’d like to work and get started on your application through the SBE’s portal. 

Do you have more questions about becoming a substitute teacher? From substitute teacher dress codes to what to bring on your first day, Kelly Education shares everything you need to know about becoming a substitute teacher. Check out all our career advice so you can confidently enter the classroom. 

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