How to become a substitute teacher in Florida.

To become a substitute teacher in Florida, you need a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18, pass a background check, and complete training. The Florida Department of Education does not issue special certificates or permits for substitute teachers, so you won't need a substitute teacher certification or license. 

Minimum Florida state requirements for substitute teachers, at a glance*:

• Age: 18 years old
• Education: high school diploma or equivalent
• Employment verification to work in the U.S.
• Background check
• Fingerprinting
• Pre-credential training

Kelly Education has additional requirements:

• Pre-hire training (this also satisfies the requirement for the above-mentioned state pre-credential training)
• New hire orientation

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements in Florida.

Kelly Education hires substitute teachers for hundreds of schools in Florida, so we're the experts in guiding you through the substitute teacher requirements.  It's meaningful work that impacts your community—and it also allows for flexibility in scheduling.

Though becoming a substitute teacher in Florida is relatively easy, the process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to complete. To get into the classroom as soon as possible, be sure to stay on top of the steps in the process.

Keep in mind that some school districts may have additional requirements beyond what the state requires.

How do I submit education verification?

While the minimum education to work as a substitute teacher in Florida is a high school diploma or equivalent, it may be worth the effort to get your college transcripts if you have higher education credits. Some school districts provide higher pay based on education level. A Kelly Education recruiter will be happy to discuss pay rates with you.

• Request transcripts from the school representing your highest education level.

• If you're requesting transcripts from a college, there may be a cost, generally around $10 to $15.

• This can take three to five days to receive, so plan accordingly.

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.  

Background check and fingerprinting.

To ensure the safety of students, the Florida Department of Education requires background checks for anyone interested in becoming a substitute teacher.

• As part of the background check process, you must submit fingerprints. 

• The cost of fingerprinting and a background check can vary by county.

• Kelly Education has fingerprinting machines onsite in several Florida locations for our new hires. Fingerprinting is a brief, 15-minute appointment, though it can take a few days to get results.

In some districts, you may be required to complete a drug screening. Typically, oral drug screening is available in Florida, free of charge, and provides immediate results.

Do I need training?

Florida requires anyone without classroom teaching experience to complete training on classroom management skills and instructional strategies.

It is Kelly Education policy that all interested substitute teachers, regardless of prior experience, complete our training. Kelly Education provides free online ClassSmarts training that meets the state requirement and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete.

Kelly Education also requires that all hired substitute educators complete a one-hour online New Hire Orientation training. This is paid training and covers Kelly Education and district-specific policies and procedures.

Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.

Kelly Education works with school districts throughout the state of Florida to provide quality substitute teachers. The best way to get started is to fill out our interest form. A Kelly Education recruiter will then reach out to share about our opportunities and explain next steps.

Here's a list of the largest school districts we partner with in Florida. Click on the link to learn more about substitute teaching jobs in these districts: 

If you’re interested in a school district where Kelly Education doesn't have a partnership, go to that district’s webpage for its substitute teacher job description and application information. You can also learn more by reading our complete guide to becoming a substitute teacher.

* 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.