How to become a paraprofessional in CT.

To become a paraprofessional in CT, you’ll need to meet Connecticut state requirements which include passing a background check.

Minimum Connecticut paraprofessional job requirements, at a glance*: 

• At least 18 years old 
• High school diploma or GED with passing score on ParaPro Assessment 
• Criminal background check 
• Fingerprinting 

In addition to Connecticut state requirements, Kelly Education requires: 

• Pre-hire training 
• New hire orientation 

At Kelly Education, we use the title “paraeducator” for this role. Similar to how paramedics or paralegals work in law or medicine, this reflects the professionalism of working in education. While school districts might call the role parapro, paraprofessional, or teacher’s aide, the core of the work is the same: supporting student learning. 

A deeper dive into paraprofessional job requirements. 

Kelly Education works with schools across Connecticut to place paraeducators, so we know what it takes to get started. While the state doesn’t have a long list of requirements, the process can still take a little time, usually a few days to a few weeks.  

How quickly things move depends on how soon you complete each step. Background checks and fingerprinting, in particular, can slow things down, so it’s helpful to get those going early. 

Education requirements and verification. 

At minimum, the CT State Department of Education has several different education paths to become a paraprofessional. 

1. A high school diploma or GED and achieve at least a score of 457 on the ETS ParaPro Assessment demonstrate the ability to assist in instructing in reading, writing, and math. 
2. Completion of two years of study at an institution of higher education 
3. Earned an associate degree (or higher) 

You’ll need to contact your school district office to send your high school diploma or transcripts. If you have higher education credits, you may want to provide your college transcripts as well. There may be a small fee associated with sending these documents. 

Experience. 

While there is no across-the-state requirement for experience to become a paraprofessional in CT, there are some types of experience that may make you a more attractive applicant. Experience working with children, strong organizational skills, effective communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively can all demonstrate that you’re likely to succeed in the classroom as a paraprofessional. 

Training for paraprofessional jobs in CT. 

Per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law, paraprofessionals must receive appropriate training if they work with students who have special needs. Many school districts in Connecticut offer training upfront or during orientation. 

Even if it’s not required, we recommend getting certified in CPR and First Aid. It’s a great way to be ready for anything that might happen in the classroom. Some districts will cover the cost, and affordable courses are available online or through local programs. 

When you work through Kelly Education, we’ll also make sure you’re set up for success. That includes: 

• ParaSmarts – A pre-hire training module to explain what to expect and how to do the job well. 

• New Hire Orientation – A one-hour online overview of our policies and your district’s expectations, so you’re not walking in blind on your first day. 

Employment verification. 

You must also prove eligibility to work in the United States. To complete this step, you’ll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials.  

If you work with Kelly Education, our team will help you with this. If working for a district, you’ll typically work on this with the human resources team. 

Background check and fingerprinting. 

Paraprofessional jobs in CT require candidates to have a background screening with fingerprinting. This helps keep students safe and gives schools peace of mind. There may be a small free associated with this step. Be sure to start this early as the results may take time to come back from the state agency. 

Become a substitute paraeducator with Kelly Education. 

We know how important paraeducators are, and we’re here to back you up from day one. Whether this is your first job in education or you’re coming back to the classroom, we’ll support you every step of the way — with tools, training, and flexibility that work for you.  

If you or someone you know is interested in paraprofessional or substitute teaching jobs, fill out our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. 

We have an entire library of helpful articles for paraprofessionals and school educators. They include: 

• What is a paraprofessional in schools 
• Understanding IEP and 504 plans 
• Paraeducator job description, duties, and responsibilities 

*Information subject to change. This is a general guideline as of July 2025. School districts may have additional requirements in addition to state requirements. 

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