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Florida Substitute Teacher Requirements

Last reviewed: February 8, 2026
At a Glance

4

Required Items

3

Optional/Recommended

Required Requirements
You must meet all of these requirements to become a substitute teacher in Florida.

Education Requirements

Florida requires substitute teachers to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED combined with at least 48 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution, or an associate's degree. A bachelor's degree is not required. Some districts may set higher education standards at the local level.

Background Check

All substitute teachers in Florida must undergo a Level 2 background screening, which includes fingerprinting processed through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI. This screening checks for any disqualifying criminal offenses. The background check must be cleared before the substitute can be assigned to any school.

Age Requirements

Substitute teachers in Florida must be at least 18 years of age. There is no maximum age limit for substitute teaching in the state.

Application Process

Florida substitute teachers apply directly through the school district in which they wish to work. Each district manages its own substitute pool and may use online application systems or partner with staffing agencies. Required documents typically include transcripts, valid government-issued identification, and background check authorization.

Recommended / Optional
These may help your application or are recommended but not strictly required.

Substitute Teaching Permit/License

Florida does not require a state-issued substitute teaching certificate for day-to-day substitute positions. Instead, districts authorize substitutes at the local level. However, substitutes who will serve in long-term assignments (typically more than 15-30 consecutive days) may need a valid Florida teaching certificate or a temporary certificate.

Training/Orientation

Florida school districts typically require substitute teachers to attend a district orientation that covers classroom management, school safety procedures, mandatory reporting obligations, and use of district technology platforms. Some districts offer paid training sessions for substitutes.

References

Most Florida school districts require two to three professional or personal references as part of the substitute teacher application. References should be from individuals who can speak to the candidate's reliability, professionalism, and suitability for working with students.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Education - Certification page.

Substitute teaching guides for Florida

City pay, district size, and the steps to apply in Florida.

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