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Required Items
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Optional/Recommended
Washington D.C. requires substitute teachers to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Candidates with degrees in education or a content area relevant to the teaching assignment are preferred. Transcripts must be submitted as part of the application process to verify degree completion.
All substitute teacher candidates in D.C. must undergo a comprehensive background check, including FBI fingerprint-based criminal history screening and a check of the National Sex Offender Registry. Background checks are processed through the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and must be cleared before any classroom placement can begin.
Substitute teachers in Washington D.C. must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must provide valid government-issued identification to verify their age and identity during the application process.
Candidates apply directly through D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) or through individual charter schools, as there is no single centralized substitute teacher pool for all D.C. schools. DCPS maintains its own substitute teacher program with an online application portal. Charter schools may have separate hiring processes and requirements that candidates should verify directly.
Washington D.C. does not issue a traditional statewide substitute teaching license. Instead, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) oversees educator credentialing, and DCPS manages its own substitute hiring program. Candidates must meet DCPS or charter school requirements to be placed on the approved substitute roster.
Applicants to the DCPS substitute teacher program must provide professional references, typically two to three, who can attest to the candidate's suitability for working with students. References from former employers in education settings are preferred but not strictly required.
For more information, visit the D.C. Public Schools Substitute Teachers page or the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
Our courses are designed to help you meet all the requirements for substitute teacher training.
DCPS requires all new substitute teachers to complete an orientation session covering classroom management, district policies, emergency procedures, and student safety protocols. Some charter schools may have their own training requirements that must be completed before substituting.