How to become a substitute teacher in Mississippi.

Substitute teaching is rewarding work that impacts student achievement. If you become a substitute teacher in Mississippi, you’ll make a difference while gaining valuable experience. Ready to get started? 

Kelly Education works to place substitute teachers in more than 40 districts across Mississippi, so we’re experts in helping applicants understand the substitute teacher requirements. 

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) does not issue a substitute teacher license or special permit. The qualification process is relatively straightforward. However, school districts can (and do) set additional employment requirements. 

Minimum Mississippi state requirements, at a glance*:

• Age: 18 years old
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent 
• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 
• Background check 
• Fingerprinting 

In addition to the state’s, Kelly Education sets supplemental requirements as follows:

• Pre-hire training 
• New hire orientation 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

While the MDE strives to keep the process simple, certain steps, such as requesting transcripts and completing a background check, can slow down the employment timeline.  

Education verification.

A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement to become a substitute teacher in Mississippi. To verify your educational background, contact your high school registrar’s office and request official transcripts. This step can take a few days.  

While not a state-level requirement, you should also obtain transcripts for any previous college coursework. Some local districts require an associate degree or at least 48 college credit hours, so applicants with higher education credentials will qualify for additional job opportunities. To confirm the academic qualifications, read through your district’s job description. 

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 ensure student safety, the MDE mandates that all substitute teachers complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Applicants are responsible for the associated costs. Note that the school district may require additional screenings, like drug screens or health exams. 

Training.

There is no state-required training for substitute teachers in Mississippi. However, Kelly Education strives to help you feel confident and prepared for the classroom, so we require all prospective substitute teachers to participate in a free ClassSmarts training program. Available online, this course reviews best practices in student engagement and classroom management. 

In addition to the pre-hire training course, Kelly Education substitute educators will complete a paid, one-hour New Hire Orientation. This online onboarding session covers your school district’s specific policies and procedures so you can easily transition into your role. 

Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.

Kelly Education pairs Mississippi schools with top-notch substitute teachers. Fill out our brief interest form and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions about 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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