How to become a substitute teacher in Connecticut.

To become a substitute teacher in Connecticut, you'll need at minimum a high school diploma or equivalent for a one year assignment. The state also requires fingerprinting, background screenings, and mandated reporter training.

Minimum Connecticut substitute teacher requirements at a glance*:

• Age: 18 years old
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or approved ED174 with proof of highest form of education 
• CT Public School Fingerprinting for Kelly Education 
• Employment verification to work in the U.S.
• DCF issued Mandated Reporter Training 
• Department of Child Services background screening
• Some districts require a year or more of work experience as a substitute teacher

In addition, Kelly Education requires:

• Pre-hire training 
• Kelly Application
• New hire orientation
• Background check

Kelly Education hires thousands of substitute teachers for schools across the country each year. If your school district works with Kelly Education, our team will also personally guide you through the process of becoming a qualified substitute teacher. 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

Although becoming a substitute teacher in Connecticut isn’t difficult, you must still meet specific requirements.

Note that each school district can establish its own requirements in addition to the state’s minimum requirements, and some do. Typically, those extra requirements for substitute teaching are listed in the district's job description. 

The onboarding process can take anywhere from three days to three weeks. And while some of this depends on the state and the district, much depends on you and how quickly you provide the needed information.  

How do I get a substitute teacher certification?

Substitute teachers in Connecticut must have at least a bachelor’s degree in any major from an accredited institution. 

An ED174 is an option for employees who do not hold a bachelor's degree. If the district accepts an ED174, it must then be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Education for approval. This will include the applicant’s high school diploma or equivalent and any documentation highlighting the applicant’s experience with school-age children.

If the district is a Kelly Education partner, our recruiters will collect the information and submit it to district for approval. It’s important to note that:  

• A substitute authorization is issued only for the district in which the applicant is working.
• It is issued for one school year at a time with the expiration date of 6/30/YY.
• A new application must be submitted for review each year.

Are there medical or health screenings?

Some districts may require medical screening, such as TB or drug testing. A TB test involves two appointments scheduled over three days, with one day between. Depending on your insurance, there could be a small cost involved.

Drug testing may also be required. The school district or if the district is a Kelly Education partner, we will tell you what you need and help you navigate this process.  

Background check and fingerprinting.

We consider the safety of students to be of the utmost importance, so we require all applicants to complete a background check.

• This includes submitting your fingerprints which is also a state requirement.  It takes just a few minutes.

• A Kelly Education recruiter can share where fingerprinting can be completed.

• There may be a small fee associated with this.  

Those candidates wanting to work with Kelly Education will be checked against the National Sex Offender Registry. They must also pass a county criminal check. The background check process generally takes from three to ten days.   

Do I need training to become a CT substitute teacher?

The state of Connecticut requires Mandated Reporter Training , which is issued by the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families. This training consists of several online, asynchronous courses and takes a few hours to complete.   

Additionally, even if you have prior experience in the classroom or working with students, Kelly Education requires all applicants to complete our free, pre-hire online training. Our online ClassSmarts training takes about 1½ hours to complete.  

Then, all newly hired Kelly Education substitute teachers must complete a one-hour online New Hire Orientation training. This important training acquaints all newly hired teachers with Kelly Education rules, policies, and procedures. It also covers the policies and procedures of the specific district you’ll be working in. Employees are paid for this training. 

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 complete this step, you'll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials.

This form can be completed in just a few minutes. If working with Kelly Education, we'll guide you through this process.

Getting started with Kelly Education. 

So, how do you apply to become a substitute teacher? Get started today by completing our interest form.

A Kelly Education recruiter will contact you to answer your questions and explain the next steps to becoming a substitute teacher with one of our partner schools in Connecticut. Be assured that the team at Kelly Education will be with you every step of the way!  

* 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.