How to become a substitute teacher in Alabama.

The state of Alabama is home to about 140 school districts and over 1,500 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. That means there are many opportunities to become a substitute teacher in Alabama. For those who want to make a difference in their work, substitute teaching is a flexible and fulfilling career.  

Kelly Education works with nearly 60 school districts throughout the state. So, we ‘re experts in helping applicants understand the substitute teacher requirements in Alabama. With our help and your determination and initiative, you’ll be substitute teaching in classrooms in no time! 

Below are the minimum, state-wide requirements for substitute teachers in Alabama. Keep in mind that each district can establish its own requirements above what the state requires. You can find more specific requirements in the district’s job description. 

Minimum Alabama state requirements at a glance*:

• Age: 18 (in some districts, the minimum age is 21) 
• Certification: Alabama teaching certification or substitute teacher license 
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (some districts require some college coursework) 
• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 
• Background check 
• Fingerprinting 
• Pre-credential training 

In addition to Alabama state requirements, Kelly Education requires:

• Pre-hire training (this also satisfies the requirement for the above-mentioned state credentialing training) 
• New hire orientation 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

It’s important to understand the steps and timeline in becoming a substitute teacher in Alabama.  The entire onboarding process can take from three days to six weeks. Some of this depends on the time it takes for the state to process the paperwork, but much depends on how quickly you provide the necessary information. 

Substitute teachers in Alabama should have a high school diploma or equivalent, and they also must have an Alabama teaching license or substitute teacher certification issued by the Alabama Department of Education. To obtain a license, fill out an application. Note that the application cannot be submitted directly. The local Board of Education, superintendent, or principal for the district or school will submit it to the Department of Education. No additional education or coursework is required to obtain this license, but there is a $30 application fee. 

Education verification.

While the minimum education to work as a substitute teacher in Alabama is a high school diploma or equivalent, it may be worth the effort to get your college transcripts if you have higher education credits. Some school districts might provide higher pay based on education level. A Kelly Education recruiter will be happy to discuss pay rates with you.

You’ll need to request transcripts from the school representing your highest education level. If you’re requesting transcripts from a college, there may be a cost, generally around $10 to $15. This can take 3 to 5 days to receive, so plan accordingly.

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. 

All applicants must submit to a state-required background check through the Central Registry. They must also agree to fingerprinting. Keep in mind that there may be a small cost associated with this, typically around $50. 

Kelly Education also runs a National Sex Offender registry check. The background check process is relatively quick, around two days. 

Training.

Alabama requires substitute teachers with no previous classroom teaching experience to complete training on classroom management skills and instructional strategies. However, Kelly Education requires all applicants to complete our pre-hire training, even if they have prior teaching experience. Our free ClassSmarts online training can be completed in just a couple of hours, and it also satisfies Alabama’s pre-credential training requirement. 

Also, all substitute teachers, regardless of experience, are required to complete Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Training.  

Before entering the classroom, Kelly Education substitute teachers must also complete our paid New Hire Orientation. This one-hour virtual session provides details on Kely Education and the district’s substitute teaching policies. 

Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.

Kelly Education places thousands of educators in Alabama schools. We’d be delighted to help get you started on this fulfilling career.  

Fill out our interest form, and a Kelly Education recruiter will reach out to you about substitute teacher jobs near you. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have and explain the next steps in the process. The exciting and enjoyable career of teaching isn’t far away! 

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

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