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Indiana Substitute Teacher Requirements

Last reviewed: February 8, 2026
At a Glance

5

Required Items

1

Optional/Recommended

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

Education Requirements

Indiana requires substitute teachers to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The degree does not need to be in education, but candidates must demonstrate competency in the subject areas they intend to teach. Transcripts must be submitted as part of the application process.

Background Check

All substitute teacher applicants in Indiana must undergo an expanded criminal background check, including national and state-level fingerprint-based screening. The background check is conducted through the Indiana State Police and the FBI. Applicants with certain felony or misconduct convictions may be disqualified from eligibility.

Age Requirements

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

Application Process

Candidates must apply for a Substitute Teaching Permit through the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) online licensing system. The application requires official transcripts, background check results, and a completed application form. Once approved, the permit is valid for five years and must be renewed before expiration.

Substitute Teaching Permit

Indiana issues a Substitute Teaching Permit through the IDOE that authorizes holders to serve as substitute teachers in any public school corporation in the state. The permit is valid for five years and requires a bachelor's degree. Holders of a valid Indiana teaching license are automatically eligible to substitute teach without a separate permit.

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

Training/Orientation

While the state does not mandate a specific number of training hours for substitute teachers, most Indiana school districts require substitutes to complete a district-level orientation session. This orientation typically covers classroom management, emergency procedures, district policies, and technology use.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the Indiana Department of Education Educator Licensing page.

Substitute teaching guides for Indiana

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

Recommended training

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