Back to All States
MN
United States

Minnesota Substitute Teacher Requirements

Last reviewed: February 8, 2026
At a Glance

5

Required Items

2

Optional/Recommended

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

Education Requirements

Minnesota does not require a bachelor's degree for short-call substitute teachers. The minimum education requirement is a two-year degree (associate's degree) or 60 semester credit hours from an accredited institution. For long-term substitute assignments exceeding 15 consecutive days in the same position, a bachelor's degree and additional qualifications may be required.

Background Check

Minnesota requires all substitute teachers to undergo a criminal background check through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the FBI. The background check includes fingerprinting and is initiated by the hiring school district. Results must be cleared before the substitute can begin working in any Minnesota school.

Age Requirements

Substitute teachers in Minnesota must be at least 18 years of age. This requirement is consistent across all substitute teaching license tiers and applies to both short-call and long-term substitute positions.

Application Process

Candidates apply for a short-call substitute teaching license through the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) online system. The application requires official transcripts, background check clearance, and payment of the licensure fee. Once licensed, candidates apply with individual school districts to be added to their substitute teacher roster.

Substitute Teaching License

Minnesota issues a Short-Call Substitute Teaching License through PELSB that allows holders to substitute for up to 15 consecutive days in the same assignment. The license requires a minimum of a two-year degree and is valid for five years. Candidates seeking to serve in longer-term substitute roles must obtain additional licensure with higher education requirements.

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

Training/Orientation

Minnesota does not require state-mandated training for short-call substitute teachers. School districts typically offer orientation sessions covering school policies, student management strategies, and emergency procedures. Some districts provide access to online training platforms for professional development and classroom preparation.

References

Minnesota school districts commonly request professional references from substitute teacher applicants. Typically, two to three references are required from individuals who can attest to the candidate's character and suitability for working in educational settings. References from educators or supervisors in youth-serving roles are preferred.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the Minnesota PELSB Substitute Teacher Licensing page.

Substitute teaching guides for Minnesota

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

Recommended training

Get classroom-ready in Minnesota

$89one-time

  • 45 self-paced lessons for day-one classroom confidence
  • Ready-to-use scripts, routines, and downloadable tools
  • Certificate of completion to share with districts
  • Access while the course is offered — one-time payment
$89
Full Training Program