How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Missouri: A Clear, Updated Guide

If you’re interested in becoming a substitute teacher in Missouri, you’re potentially stepping into a flexible and valuable role that many districts throughout the state rely on — from large districts in Kansas City or St. Louis to smaller suburban or rural school districts. Whether you’re exploring a new career path, returning to work, or looking for flexible, school-year aligned work, substitute teaching can offer meaningful opportunities across grade levels.

This guide walks you through how substitute teaching tends to work in Missouri: what districts and the state expect, typical requirements, and how a training program like Certified Sub can help you feel ready to lead in the classroom.

Why Substitute Teaching Appeals to Many in Missouri

Substitute teaching offers:

  • Flexibility — you may be able to pick when and how often you work, based on district demand and your own availability.
  • Variety — each assignment can involve different classrooms, grade levels, and student groups; no two days are quite the same.
  • Meaningful contribution — substitutes help ensure continuity when regular teachers are absent, supporting student learning and school stability.
  • Accessible entry — for many districts, the barrier to entry is lower than full-time teaching, making the role more accessible for a wide range of people.

Given the frequent need for substitutes across Missouri districts, there are often many available opportunities for those willing to step in.

What It Takes to Become a Substitute Teacher in Missouri

Missouri does not have a strong statewide “substitute-teacher license” that all substitutes must hold. Instead, substitute-teacher hiring and qualifications are generally determined at the district level, under oversight of the state. This means requirements vary — but there are common patterns across many districts.

Here’s what many Missouri districts typically expect (or accept) for substitute teachers:

Basic Eligibility: Age, Background Check, Authorization to Work

  • You must be legally eligible to work in the United States (valid ID, proof of work eligibility).
  • Most districts require a criminal-history check / background screening before you can serve as a substitute teacher.
  • You must meet any district-specified minimum age requirement (commonly 18 years or older).

Education Requirements (Varies by District)

Because there is no universal statewide substitute-teacher license requirement, what qualifies you can depend on district policy. Typical scenarios include:

  • Some districts accept a high school diploma or GED for occasional or short-term substitute coverage.
  • Others prefer or require some college coursework or a college degree — especially for regular substitute roles or assignments in higher grades / specialized subjects.
  • For certain roles (e.g., specialized electives, secondary-level classes, or long-term coverage), districts may prefer candidates with teaching credentials or prior classroom experience.

Because there’s no standardized state requirement, it’s common for districts to have discretion — making it especially important for applicants to check each district’s substitute-teacher job postings or HR policies.

District Application, Onboarding & Approval

Getting approved as a substitute in Missouri typically involves:

  • Submitting an application to the district’s Human Resources or Substitute Coordinator — this may include education verification (diploma or transcripts), proof of identity and eligibility to work, and any district-specific forms.
  • Completing required background/clearance screening.
  • Possibly attending a brief orientation or completing training (some districts offer — or require — a short substitute-onboarding session).
  • Once approved, being added to the district’s substitute roster or pool — after which you become eligible to receive job calls when classrooms need coverage.

Because each district maintains its own substitute roster and hiring policies, many prospective substitutes choose to apply to multiple districts to increase opportunities and flexibility.

What the Application Process Typically Looks Like in Missouri

Because substitute hiring is decentralized, there is no one-size-fits-all application process — but this is a commonly followed path across many Missouri districts:

  1. Select one or more school districts where you want to work.
  2. Review their substitute-teacher requirements (often posted on the district website under “Employment,” “Human Resources,” or “Substitute Services”).
  3. Gather required documentation, which may include:
    • High school diploma or GED (or college transcripts, if requested)
    • Valid photo ID, proof of eligibility to work, and other HR paperwork
    • Résumé, references, or prior experience documentation (if requested)
  1. Complete required background/clearance checks, per district procedure.
  2. Submit your application to the district’s Substitute Coordinator or HR office.
  3. If required, attend orientation/training — some districts may require a short onboarding, safety training, or substitute-policy briefing.
  4. Get placed on the substitute roster — once approved, you’ll be eligible for substitute assignments when openings arise.
  5. Accept substitute assignments as they come. Many substitutes increase opportunities by registering with more than one district.

Because of variability between districts (urban vs rural, resource differences, staff size, demand), assignment availability, pay rates, and assignment rules can vary significantly — so always confirm these details with the district.

How a Program Like Certified Sub Helps Prepare Substitutes in Missouri

Since Missouri places much of the substitute-teacher hiring power at the district level — and many districts do not require formal education beyond a diploma or standard screening — being “qualified” may not fully prepare you for the realities of running a classroom. That’s where Certified Sub can add significant value.

Certified Sub offers practical, classroom-ready training tailored specifically for substitute teachers. Through self-paced online modules, substitutes can learn how to:

  • Quickly establish routines and expectations when entering a new classroom
  • Manage student behavior confidently and fairly — even without prior teaching experience
  • Deliver lessons effectively — even when provided minimal or no lesson plan
  • Keep students engaged across different grade levels and subjects
  • Use ready-to-go fallback activities for days when lesson plans are thin or absent
  • Adapt smoothly to different classroom environments, teacher styles, and school cultures

For many districts in Missouri — especially those that rely heavily on substitutes and do little formal training — Certified Sub helps bridge the gap between “approved substitute” and “effective classroom leader.” This benefits students, teachers, and the substitute themselves.

Your Next Step

If substitute teaching in Missouri appeals to you:

  • Start by identifying which district(s) you want to sub for, and reviewing their substitute-teacher requirements.
  • Prepare your credentials (diploma or GED, ID/work eligibility, any transcripts if required).
  • Apply to one or more districts, complete required clearance/background checks, and get on substitute rosters.
  • Consider enrolling in a substitute-training program like Certified Sub — especially helpful if you lack prior teaching experience — to make sure you walk into your first assignment prepared and confident.

Ready to get trained and classroom-ready?

Take the step from “district-approved substitute” → “confident, effective substitute teacher.”

👉 Explore Certified Sub’s full training course library here: https://www.certifiedsub.org/courses/