How to become a substitute teacher in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has recently streamlined the hiring process to become a substitute teacher in Massachusetts. While there’s no substitute teacher certification in the state, there are minimum requirements. 

We’ve put together this brief to help you understand the qualifications and hiring process. Remember that local districts often have additional requirements, so check their job description. 

 Minimum Massachusetts state requirements, at a glance*: 

• Certification: None 

• Education: A high school diploma or equivalent 

• Age: 18 years old 

• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 

• Criminal background check through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) 

• Fingerprinting 

• Training: None, though individual districts or agencies may facilitate mandatory training 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

The Massachusetts BESE leaves much of the responsibility for hiring and vetting substitute teachers to individual districts. Some schools may prefer candidates with some undergraduate education or prior teaching experience, but the state does not mandate these conditions. 

To see if you qualify in your local district, read through the substitute teacher job description. If you meet the school’s minimum qualifications, the hiring timeline can move quickly depending on your ability to assemble relevant application materials and complete the state’s background screening. 

Education verification. 

Submit official academic transcripts alongside your application. In addition to your high school record, present transcripts for all college coursework. Even if you did not complete a degree, some college experience may increase your chances of getting hired or qualify you for other positions at the school. 

Most high schools and undergraduate institutions assess a small processing fee for your transcripts (typically less than $20). You make the request and pay the fee online. It may take up to a week to receive physical copies of your transcripts, though many institutions can provide a digital version. 

Employment verification.

All educational staff, including guest teachers and substitute instructors, must be eligible for work in the United States. 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. 

Background check and fingerprinting.

Massachusetts does require a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and fingerprinting. CORI reviews state-wide arrests. The fingerprinting process is a nationwide screening. 

The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) facilitates these steps. Your school will provide detailed instructions about scheduling these screenings. Applicants must complete fingerprinting at a local IdentoGO location. The IdentoGo processing fee is $35 for individuals without a teaching license. 

If there are no concerns with your screening, the DCJIS should receive the results in under a week. IdentoGO fingerprinting is a one-time event, although the DCJIS performs the CORI check annually. 

Training.

The Massachusetts BESE does not require previous teaching experience or formal training for its substitute teachers. The district, however, may require pre-hire training courses or an onboarding seminar.  

Getting started as a substitute teacher.

Your first step in applying to be a substitute teacher in Massachusetts schools is to check out your local school districts’ websites. They should provide a job description and contact information for the human resources team. 

Want more information about the role of a substitute teacher? Visit our career advice webpage. From substitute teacher dress codes to what to bring on your first day, Kelly Education shares everything you need to know about substitute teaching. 

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