How to become a substitute teacher in North Dakota.

Now’s the perfect time to become a substitute teacher in North Dakota. Many districts across the state are looking for people who want to go into substitute teaching to help fill in when teachers are absent. 

Kelly Education recruits and hires qualified substitute teachers for thousands of schools in the U.S. As experts in education recruitment, we know what it takes to earn substitute teacher certification. 

Below are the state requirements for becoming a substitute teacher in North Dakota. Keep in mind that this is just a general overview, and local school districts often have additional requirements beyond what the state requires. 

Minimum North Dakota state requirements, at a glance*: 

• Certification: Substitute License 

• Education: 48 semester hours of college coursework 

• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 

• Fingerprint-based background check 

• Training: 20 hours of training for those without 48 hours of college coursework 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

North Dakota substitute teacher certification requirements involve securing a substitute license to work in the state. One must also meet additional requirements for education, fingerprinting, and training, outlined in more detail below. 

Certification.

To apply for a substitute license, you must complete the interim substitute license application online via the NDTeach website. 

A North Dakota substitute license allows you to be a substitute teacher in all North Dakota schools for grades K – 12. It is good for two years and expires on the individual’s birthday. 

The substitute license fee is $95. There is also a $30 nonrefundable application fee. 

Education verification.

To receive a substitute license and become a substitute teacher, you must have completed 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of college coursework. You will submit transcripts to provide proof of your coursework to the North Dakota Education Standards and Practice Board (NDESPB). 

It can take up to a week to process transcript requests. Therefore, it’s best to contact the institution you attended and request your official transcripts early in the application process. Most colleges and universities charge a nominal fee for transcript requests. 

Employment verification.

All North Dakota school districts must verify the employment eligibility of their substitute teachers. To prove eligibility, the school district will ask you to submit an I-9 form, which requires you to provide acceptable identification as part of the process. How many forms of identification you’re required to submit will depend on whether you choose items from List A, List B, or List C of the form. 

Background check and fingerprinting.

Candidates must pass a fingerprint-based background check to qualify for a North Dakota substitute license. You must complete a Fingerprint Verification form and Criminal History Record Check Request Form and submit them to NDESPB as part of the background check process. The fee for fingerprinting is $44.50. 

The background check can take up to six weeks or longer to process. Allow sufficient time for the fingerprint check and completion of the licensure process before beginning any teaching position. North Dakota law requires a current valid North Dakota teaching license for employment. 

Training.

Substitute teacher candidates who do not have 48 semester hours of college coursework must complete 20 hours of online training. The training is through Frontline and costs $180. 

Once the training is completed, candidates must submit their Frontline Training Completion Certificate, a copy of their high school diploma or GED certificate or an official college transcript of any college credits earned, along with a fingerprint background check packet, to NDESPB. 

Getting started as a substitute teacher.

If you’re interested in substitute teaching in North Dakota, you now have an idea of the credentialing process and other steps it takes to do so. With a bit of effort and follow-through, you’ll be well on your way to securing a flexible and rewarding career as a substitute teacher. Visit your school district website or the NDESPB website for more information on substitute teacher job descriptions and requirements. 

Have more questions about becoming a substitute teacher? We’ve got you covered. 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.