How to become a substitute teacher in Tennessee.

Substitute teaching is a flexible, rewarding career that allows you to choose your own schedule while making a difference in students’ lives. To become a substitute teacher in Tennessee, you’ll need to meet a few minimum state requirements before heading into a classroom.  

At Kelly Education, we provide tens of thousands of substitute teachers to school districts across the U.S. — including Tennessee — each year. So, we’re the experts in helping candidates understand the requirements to substitute teach in Tennessee. 

Minimum Tennessee state requirements, at a glance*: 

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent 

• Age: 18 years old 

• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 

• Fingerprinting 

• Background check 

In addition to Tennessee state requirements, Kelly Education requires: 

• Pre-hire training 

• New hire orientation 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

Certification isn’t required to become a substitute teacher in Tennessee, but the state does require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Note that school districts may have additional requirements, so make sure to check the job description. 

There are a few steps in the process, so be sure follow the timelines, turn in documents in a timely fashion, and have patience as you are cleared through the process. 

Education verification.

To verify your education, reach out to the high school or college at which you completed your highest level of education. It typically costs about $15 to request a copy of your transcripts, and it will take about a week for your request to be processed. 

If you have completed some college coursework, it’s a good idea to request those transcripts as well. Some school districts in Tennessee set substitute teacher pay rates based on education level.  

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.

The Tennessee Department of Education requires that all substitute teachers submit background checks processed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Tennessee also requires a fingerprint screening that will be scheduled through your school district. You’ll receive an email with instructions on how to schedule your fingerprinting through Identigo. You must cover the cost or fees of the fingerprinting and background check. 

The earlier you start the process, the better. It can take up to four weeks for results to be shared with the school district to which you are applying to work. 

To keep students safe, Kelly Education will also run a National Sex Offender Registry check. 

Training.

While there is no state mandate for training, some districts require applicants to pass an online SubSkills training test. 

When working for Kelly Education, we require all substitute teachers, regardless of prior experience, to complete pre-hire training. We provide free online ClassSmarts training that meets the state requirement and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. 

Kelly Education also requires that all hired substitute educators complete a one-hour online New Hire Orientation training. This paid training covers Kelly Education and district-specific policies and procedures.  

Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.

If you’re interested in teaching at one of our partner school districts, fill out our interest form. A Kelly Education recruiter will contact you to share more about our substitute teaching opportunities in Tennessee. We’re excited to get to know you and help you get started! 

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