How to become a substitute teacher in Oklahoma.

To become a substitute teacher in Oklahoma, you must meet a few minimum state requirements which include having a HS diploma, being age 18+, and passing a bacground check. The Oklahoma State Department of Education does not issue a special substitute teacher certificate or permit.  

Minimum Oklahoma substitute teacher state requirements, at a glance*:

• Age: 18 years old
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Employment verification to work in the U.S.
• Background check
• Fingerprinting

In addition, Kelly Education requires:

• Kelly Education application
• Pre-hire training
• New hire orientation

Kelly Education helps hundreds of people become substitute teachers in Oklahoma each year, so we’re experts in navigating the steps.

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

Though you don’t need to go through a credentialing or licensure process, it can still take a few days to a few weeks to become a substitute teacher in Oklahoma. Also, keep in mind that individual school districts might have additional requirements.

How do I submit education verification?

You’ll need to verify your high school diploma or equivalent. You can do this by asking the issuing institution for a copy of your high school transcripts or verification of your GED.

• It generally takes 3 – 5 days to receive education verification.

• Some institutions charge a small fee for transcript and verification requests, averaging between $10 and $15.

If you have college credits, requesting your college transcripts instead of your high school transcripts to submit can be beneficial. This is because some school districts offer a higher pay rate to those who’ve completed college credits.

If the district you’re applying to is a Kelly Education partner, our recruiter will be happy to discuss the best approach with you.

Background check and fingerprinting.

Oklahoma requires background checks and fingerprinting for anyone receiving an offer of employment as a substitute teacher.

• If an applicant can produce a fingerprint receipt that is less than 5 years old, and it shows they were fingerprinted for School District Employment using code 2B7K55, they may not need to be fingerprinted again. Check with the district or onboarding coordinator. Otherwise, prior fingerprints may not be valid and must be completed again.

• The cost of fingerprinting and a background check can vary, with results typically coming back within two weeks.

If you work for Kelly Education, we’ll also run a check through the National Sex Offender Registry.

Do I need training to become a substitute teacher?

Oklahoma does not have a state-wide training requirement for substitute teachers. However, if you work with Kelly Education, we want you to feel confident in your skills as a classroom instructor. 

• We require all candidates, regardless of level and experience, to complete our ClassSmarts training. The training takes about an hour and provides valuable insights into substitute teaching.

• We also require New Hire Orientation before our substitute educators enter a school. This paid online training includes Kelly Education and district-specific policies and procedures.

What do I need for employment verification?

Like most jobs, substitute teachers must provide proof that they can legally work in the U.S.

• To verify your eligibility, you'll submit a federal I-9 form with acceptable forms of identification.
• If working with a Kelly Education district partner, one of our recruiters will help you with this step.

Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.

If you’re interested in learning more about substitute teaching at one of our partner districts in Oklahoma, fill out our interest form.

A Kelly Education recruiter will then contact you to explain the process and answer your questions. Are you ready to make a difference with flexible work that matters?

* Information subject to change. This is a general guideline. School districts may have more requirements, in addition to state requirements. 

About the Author

Kelly Education powers more than 10,000 schools across the country with a workforce that keeps students learning every day. From recruiting and hiring to workforce management and professional development, we provide qualified people for mission-critical roles in our schools.