How to become a substitute teacher in Oregon.

Teacher shortages have reached a critical point across the United States, and Oregon is no exception. If you’re interested in becoming a substitute teacher in “The Beaver State,” now is a great time to apply. 

Kelly Education partners with many school districts throughout the country to find and hire qualified substitute teachers. We help aspiring substitute teachers navigate the process and obtain the required certification to get started. 

Let’s look at the minimum state-wide requirements for substitute teachers in Oregon. 

Minimum Oregon state requirements, at a glance*: 

• Certification: Substitute teaching license  

• Age: 18 years old 

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent 

• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 

• Fingerprinting and criminal background 

• Completion of teacher preparation course (depending on the license) 

• Sponsorship from a school or district (depending on the license) 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

There are three different substitute teacher licenses available in Oregon. They are issued by the Teaching Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), and each has its own requirements. You can find more information about the TSPC licenses on the state’s website. 

Substitute teaching license.  Requires a bachelor’s degree, and you must submit transcripts. This license also requires a teacher preparation course, and it is good for three years, expiring on your birthday. The substitute license allows you to teach up to one full year in an academic assignment. 

Restricted substitute license. Requires a bachelor’s degree, but no teacher preparation training. However, you must be sponsored by a school, school district, or education service district. With this license, you can teach no more than 10 consecutive days in an assignment. It is valid for one year and expires on June 30. it can be renewed for three years if you renew before the expiry date and have the same sponsor. 

District substitute license.  Does not require a bachelor’s degree or teacher preparation training. You must be sponsored by a school, school district, or education service district. It allows you to teach a maximum of 10 consecutive days in a single assignment and only within the sponsoring district. It is valid for one year and expires on June 30.  It can be renewed for three years if you do so before the expiry date and have the same sponsor. 

Some districts have additional criteria beyond what the state requires for substitute teachers. Typically, the requirements for a position are explained in the job description. 

Education requirements. 

All substitute teachers in Oregon must have a minimum high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor’s degree is also required for the substitute and restricted substitute licenses. 

Request official transcripts from your high school or institution’s registrar’s office early in the application process. It can take up to a week to process transcript requests, and most charge a small fee at the time of the request. 

Background check and fingerprinting. 

All substitute teacher applicants in Oregon are subject to a TSPC background check and fingerprinting. Fingerprints are valid as long as a valid license is maintained. If the license expires, it remains valid for three years from the date of expiration. Note that a criminal background check conducted by any former employer, licensing board, or the Oregon Department of Education does not satisfy these requirements. You can find more details about fingerprinting and a background check here. 

Employment verification.

All substitute teacher applicants in Oregon are required to complete an I-9 form to verify their employment eligibility and show that they can legally work in the state. 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.  

Training.

Teacher preparation is required if you want to obtain a substitute license (not a restricted or district license). Depending on your previous education, you may have to take the Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment exam. This computer-based exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and is by appointment only. The pre-exam tutorial and exam take about two hours. 

Getting started as a substitute teacher. 

If you’d like to become a substitute teacher in Oregon, check out the Oregon Department of Education website. Also, visit your local school districts’ websites. They should provide a job description and details about how to apply to be a substitute teacher. 

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.