Substitute teachers cover classrooms when teachers call out sick, have emergencies, go on leave, or when a teacher has not been hired by the start of the school year. For schools to function properly, it is crucial to have a large pool of substitutes who are available when needed. If you are interested in teaching but want to test the waters first, need an alternative work schedule, have a desire to serve kids and schools in your community, or are just someone who likes saving the day, consider becoming a substitute!
The first step towards becoming a substitute is to earn the proper permit. There are several permit options that authorize substitute teaching. Explore the different types of permits below to find the one that is best for you.
This is the permit type used by most substitutes throughout the state. It authorizes the holder to serve as a day-to-day substitute teacher in any classroom in California, including preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults. Don’t be confused by the name, though—you can be a substitute for the entire school year with this permit. What you can’t do is serve as a “long-term” substitute, which is defined as more than 30 days in the same General Education classroom or more than 20 days in the same Special Education classroom. You can apply directly to the Commission by submitting your paper application packet and supporting materials through the mail. Or if you already have an employer in mind, you can apply through a school district or county office instead. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed online annually.
To apply for your initial permit, you’ll need to provide:
To renew your permit (if you get stuck, this page has helpful tips), you’ll need to do the following:
This permit is perfect for college students who have not completed their degree yet but want to experience teaching. It authorizes the holder to serve as a day-to-day substitute teacher in any classroom in California, including preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults. Just like with the Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit, you can substitute for no more than 30 days in the same General Education classroom and no more than 20 days in the same Special Education classroom, but the difference is that instead of being able to substitute all school year, you can only serve a maximum of 90 days total. You can apply directly to the Commission by submitting your paper application packet and supporting materials through the mail. Or if you already have an employer in mind, you can apply through a school district or county office instead. The permit is valid for one year and can only be renewed once with a paper application.
To apply for your initial permit, you’ll need to provide:
To renew your permit, you’ll need to provide:
Substitute teaching can be a fulfilling career, complete with staff development. To that end, the Emergency Career Substitute Permit authorizes you as a day-to-day substitute teacher in any classroom, including preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults. During the school year, you may substitute for no more than 60 days in the same General Education classroom and no more than 20 in the same Special Education classroom. The permit must be applied for through an employing agency. It is valid for one year and can be renewed with a paper application annually through your employer.
To apply for your initial permit, you’ll need to provide:
To renew your permit, you’ll need to provide:
A teacher you often substitute for is going on maternity leave and asked if you would like to cover her classroom while she’s out. You know the students well and would love to take the assignment, but how can you if your substitute permit only allows you to cover a classroom for no more than 30 days? Enter the Teaching Permit for Statutory Leave (TPSL)!
When a teacher of record is unable to teach due to a statutory leave (medical or otherwise), the TPSL allows a temporary teacher to cover the duration of the leave. This provides the classroom with continuity during the leave instead of having to continually switch substitutes, which may disrupt the learning environment. TPSLs are issued with one or more authorizations in the area of Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Special Education, depending on your qualifications and the assignment you are covering. The permit, which is valid for one year and restricted to service with the employing agency, must also be applied for and renewed through the employing agency.
To apply for your initial permit, you’ll need to provide:
To renew your permit, you’ll need to provide:
The easiest way to get hired as a substitute is to inquire with the school where you want to work. Some substitutes take jobs at more than one district or county, but keep in mind that unless you are employed by a substitute contracting company or substitute consortium that serves multiple districts or counties, you will have to complete the onboarding requirements for each employer, including fingerprinting. Many employers hire substitutes year-round and can assist you with the process of applying for the appropriate permit.
Schools often assign substitutes based on where they’re needed that day, although many also use an online or phone system where substitutes can pick up jobs they want. As you gain experience and familiarity with specific schools and classrooms, teachers or administrators may ask to add you to their preferred list of substitutes to contact when they need a trusted substitute to cover a classroom. Most employers will ask you to work a certain number of days per week or school year and to be flexible and willing to work at any of their schools. Since there is always a need for substitutes, employers want you to work as often as possible and may have incentives such as higher pay, bonuses, or benefits if you work a certain number of consecutive days, days per year, or at a school that is historically underserved or hard to staff. Depending on the employer, the negotiated union contract may require a district to offer you a teaching position after serving for a certain number of days in an assignment. Some schools even have full-time substitute positions that allow you to work every day and receive higher pay and benefits.
Although most people begin substituting because they need an alternative work schedule due to other part-time employment, medical or family reasons, or retirement, you may find you like it so much that you want to try substituting for an extended amount of time or even making it your career. Additionally, substituting is a great entry point for a career in teaching. In fact, many people who start out as substitutes go on to be hired as teachers and often in the same classroom they were covering. As you explore substituting and gain experience in the classroom, please consider whether teaching might be the right next step for you.
If you have questions, our Careers Counselors team can be reached at careerguidance@ctc.ca.gov. We look forward to connecting with you regarding credentialing and education career opportunities!
Resources to Complete Teacher Training in California
Resources for Teachers Trained Outside of California
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