How to become a substitute teacher in Colorado.

Our schools need motivated people and positive role models to lead students in classrooms—especially when their regular teacher is absent. To become a substitute teacher in Colorado, you’ll need to understand the steps for certification.  

Each year, Kelly Education hires thousands of substitute teachers in school districts across the U.S.—including Colorado, so we’re the experts in helping people through the hiring process. 

Let’s review the minimum requirements for substitute teacher candidates in Colorado. Note that specific school districts can require more employment conditions, so read through the district’s job description to be sure you’re eligible. 

Minimum Colorado state requirements, at a glance*: 

• Certification: A Colorado (CO) substitute license or short-term substitute license 

• Education: High school diploma 

• Age: 18 years old

• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 

• Fingerprinting 

• Background check 

In addition to Colorado state requirements, Kelly Education requires: 

• Pre-hire training 

• New hire orientation 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has three tiers for substitute teacher certification: 

• A standard 1-Year Substitute Authorization is valid for short-term teacher vacancies. The basic license requires a high school diploma (or equivalent) and professional experience working with children. Here’s an example of where some districts require more. For example, several have a minimum of 48 college credits. 
• The 3-Year Substitute Authorization requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. 
• The 5-Year Substitute Authorization requires a CDE-issued teaching license (either current or expired) or an active professional teaching credential issued by another state. 

If you meet the minimum qualifications and submit all required documentation, you can receive your Colorado teaching certification in less than a month. Remember, your commitment to the hiring process will ultimately determine how quickly you can enter the classroom. So, be diligent in following the next steps.

Education verification.

As noted above, the amount of education depends on the type of certification. To obtain your transcripts, contact your previous education institution(s) and request copies of your official academic transcripts. There is typically an associated fee (not more than $15), and most institutions can provide a downloadable PDF version. Regardless, the process can take several days to turn around, so don’t delay. 

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.

To qualify for CDE licensure, applicants must complete a background check and submit their fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). To complete this step, make an appointment online with either IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting. Processing your results may take several days, and you will be responsible for the associated costs. 

To ensure the safety of all students, Kelly Education will run a National Sex Offender Registry check on all our substitute teaching candidates. 

Training.

While there’s state-based training for substitute teachers, some districts do require their own training.  

Additionally, all Kelly Education substitute teachers must complete our free pre-hire training course. This ClassSmarts training course is available online and takes about 90 minutes to finish. You’ll learn about the ethics of teaching, your legal obligations as a K-12 educator, and best practices for classroom management. 

Kelly Education also requires all our substitute teachers to complete our paid New Hire Orientation module. This 1-hour commitment is hosted online and outlines our Kelly Education and specific school district policies. Our goal is to help you feel confident and informed before entering the classroom. 

Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.

Don’t delay—Colorado schools need great substitute teachers. The hiring process does require a few steps, but no need to worry. Your district and Kelly Education are excited to help you get started. 

Complete our brief interest form and one of our expert recruiters will contact you to answer your questions and share next steps. 

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

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