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Kansas 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 Kansas.

Education Requirements

Kansas prefers substitute teachers to hold a bachelor's degree, but it is not always strictly required depending on the license type. For an Emergency Substitute Teaching License, candidates with 60 or more college credit hours may qualify in districts experiencing shortages. A high school diploma or GED is the absolute minimum for some emergency situations as determined by the local school board.

Background Check

All substitute teaching applicants in Kansas must pass a criminal background check that includes fingerprinting processed through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. The background check must be completed before the license can be issued. Certain criminal convictions will disqualify an applicant from receiving a substitute teaching license.

Age Requirements

Kansas requires substitute teachers to be at least 18 years of age. This applies to all substitute license types, including emergency licenses issued during teacher shortages.

Application Process

Candidates apply for a substitute teaching license through the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) online licensure system. The application requires official transcripts, background check results, and any district-specific documentation. School districts may also require a separate employment application in addition to the state license.

Emergency Substitute Teaching License

Kansas offers an Emergency Substitute Teaching License for candidates who do not hold a bachelor's degree but meet alternative qualifications. This license is issued at the request of a school district and is typically valid for one school year. It is intended to address substitute teacher shortages in specific districts and requires district sponsorship.

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

Training/Orientation

Kansas does not require state-mandated training hours for substitute teachers. Districts typically provide their own orientation sessions covering topics such as building safety procedures, student behavior management, and district technology platforms. Some districts partner with substitute staffing agencies that offer supplemental training modules.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the Kansas State Department of Education Teacher Licensure page.

Substitute teaching guides for Kansas

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

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