To become a substitute teacher, check your state's rules, then apply to a school district. In California, you'll need a bachelor's degree, fingerprinting and an Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit from the state. New York doesn't issue substitute certificates at all, but limits uncertified substitutes to 40 days a year in one district. Districts can add their own requirements.
Substitute teaching is one of the quickest ways into a classroom, but there's no national rule. Each state sets its own, and individual districts often go further. To show how different it can be, here are two of the biggest states side by side, using the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the New York State Education Department pages I read on 26 October 2026.
California vs New York at a glance
| California | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| State document | Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit | None: the state doesn't issue substitute certificates |
| Degree | Bachelor's or higher from a regionally accredited college | Not set by the state, but districts may require one |
| Background | Fingerprinting, if not already on file | Set by the employer |
| Day limit | 30 days per teacher, 20 in special education | 40 days a year per district if uncertified and not studying |
| Valid for | One year, renewable | Not applicable |
Becoming a substitute teacher in California
California's Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit lets you work as a day-to-day substitute in any classroom, from preschool and kindergarten through grade 12, plus classes organised mainly for adults. Here's how to get it:
- Finish a bachelor's degree. You need official transcripts showing a bachelor's or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Apply through CTC Online. You can apply directly or through your employing district.
- Complete fingerprinting. This is required if you haven't already submitted fingerprints to the Commission.
- Get hired by a district. The employing agency must keep a Statement of Need form on file for the school year.
- Renew online each year. The permit is valid for one year, and renewals are online only.
Here's the bit people miss. Since 29 June 2024, the degree transcript satisfies both the degree requirement and California's Basic Skills Requirement. Older guides still tell you to pass a separate basic skills test first, so check the date on anything you read.
The 30-day limit
The permit caps how long you can cover one teacher. You can substitute for no more than 30 days for any one teacher during the school year, or 20 days in a special education classroom. That's per teacher, not per year, so you can work steadily across a district.
Becoming a substitute teacher in New York
New York takes a different approach. The State Education Department says it doesn't issue substitute teaching certificates. Instead, substitutes fall into three groups, and the group decides how many days you can work.
- Certified teachers can work in any capacity for any number of days, but after 40 days in one district or BOCES in a school year, they must teach in their certified area.
- People working towards certification, taking at least six semester hours of college coursework a year, can work any number of days in any number of districts. After 40 days in one district, they must teach in the area they're studying for.
- Uncertified substitutes not studying can work no more than 40 days in a school or BOCES in a school year.
Districts can go past those limits. A superintendent can certify that a good faith search found no suitably certified teacher, which allows up to 90 days, and beyond that in specific cases where one substitute is needed for a class until the end of the year.
The practical upshot: if you're not certified, New York rewards you for studying. Taking at least six semester hours of college coursework a year moves you out of the 40-day group and lets you work far more days across several districts, which is useful if you're heading towards a full teaching certificate anyway.
Two other New York details matter. Districts can add local requirements, such as a college degree or full teaching certification. And New York City's Department of Education requires its substitutes to hold an NYCDOE substitute teacher licence.
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How to get started in any state
- Look up your state education department's substitute teaching page.
- Check the substitute pages of the districts near you, since they often add rules.
- Gather your transcripts and ID, and book fingerprinting if it's required.
- Write a short teaching CV. These teacher resume tips for hiring panels work just as well for substitute roles.
- Apply to more than one district so you get more call-ups.
My verdict
Substitute teaching is a smart way to test whether teaching suits you before committing to a full credential, and in New York, studying towards certification lets you work far more days. Read your state's own page before anything else, because the difference between California and New York shows how much the rules move. Once you're working, you'll save evenings with time-saving prompts for teachers.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be a substitute teacher?
In California, yes: the Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit needs a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college. New York doesn't set a state degree rule, but districts may require one.
Do you need a teaching certificate to substitute teach?
Not always. California issues a substitute permit rather than a full credential. New York doesn't issue substitute certificates, but uncertified substitutes who aren't studying are limited to 40 days a year in one district or BOCES.
How long is a California substitute permit valid?
One year, and it's renewable online.
How many days can a substitute teacher work in New York?
Certified substitutes can work any number of days. Uncertified substitutes who aren't working towards certification can work up to 40 days in a school year, or up to 90 if the superintendent certifies a good faith search found no certified teacher.
Can you substitute teach in special education in California?
Yes, with the 30-day permit, but you can cover any one special education teacher for no more than 20 days in a school year.
Does New York City have its own substitute rules?
Yes. The New York City Department of Education requires its substitutes to hold an NYCDOE substitute teacher licence.
