How to become a paraprofessional in Louisiana.

To become a paraprofessional in Louisiana, you must meet several requirements related to age, education, and pass a background check. This is important as you will be working to support students in schools. 

Minimum Louisiana paraprofessional requirements, at a glance:* 

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

In addition to Louisiana state requirements, Kelly Education requires you to: 

• Complete our ParaSmarts pre-hire training course 
• Attend a one-hour new hire orientation session 

At Kelly Education, we call this role paraeducator because, like a paramedic or paralegal, it reflects the professionalism that aligns with the field. School districts often refer to this role by other names, such as parapro or teaching aide. 

The Louisiana Department of Education describes a paraprofessional as “…employees who provide one-on-one tutoring for students, assist with classroom management, provide instructional assistance in a computer laboratory, conduct parental involvement activities, provide support in a library or media center, act as a translator, or provide instructional support services under the direct supervision of a teacher.” 

A deeper dive into paraprofessional requirements. 

Kelly Education works with schools across Louisiana 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 verification. 

You’ll need to show proof of your high school diploma or GED. So, you’ll need to provide transcripts from your high school. If you have college credits, you may also want to share your higher education transcripts. To do this, you’ll contact the school. Not ethat there may be a fee for them to send the document. 

Not everyone who wants to become a paraprofessional in Louisiana needs to take the ParaPro Assessment. This exam is typically required if you do not have a degree or enough college credit hours. Administered by ETS, the ParaPro is a two-and-a-half-hour multiple-choice test that covers math, reading, and writing — both in terms of subject knowledge and application in a classroom setting. 

Testing centers across Louisiana offer the exam, and many school districts provide guidance or financial support for test-takers. Passing scores vary by district, so be sure to check with the district where you plan to work. 

Employment verification. 

Anyone who works in schools must 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. 

Every paraeducator must pass a background screening and fingerprinting process. This helps keep students safe. 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. 

Training. 

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), paraprofessionals who work with students receiving special education services must receive training to support those learners effectively. In Louisiana, training requirements may vary by district. Some schools provide pre-service orientation and ongoing professional development, while others offer district-led programs tailored to specific roles. 

Whether required or not, we recommend pursuing First Aid and CPR certification. These emergency response skills not only enhance student safety but also increase your value as a school support professional. Courses are typically affordable, costing around $50, and some districts or employers may cover the cost.  

At Kelly Education, we want you to feel ready on day one as a paraeducator. Every applicant completes our ParaSmarts module, a pre-hire course designed to walk you through the expectations, duties, and daily responsibilities of a paraeducator. This ensures you’re ready to support students and teachers from day one. 

Once hired, you’ll complete a one-hour, online New Hire Orientation that covers our policies and guidelines from the school district where you’ll work.  

Become a substitute paraeducator with Kelly Education. 

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 also have an entire library of helpful articles for paraprofessionals and school educators. Some of the resources we have available 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. 

I’m interested