Substitute teaching in California is a rewarding and accessible career path. The process is managed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), which offers specific permits for those without a traditional teaching license. This path is entirely feasible for candidates who can meet the necessary academic and background requirements for the available emergency permits.
Educational Requirements for Substitute Teaching
The standard academic requirement for the most common credential, the Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit, is the possession of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. California offers an alternative pathway for individuals who have not completed a four-year degree: the Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers.
To qualify for the Prospective Teacher permit, applicants must show proof of having completed a minimum of 90 semester units of course work from a regionally accredited four-year institution. Since an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree typically involves completing around 60 semester units, a candidate with an Associate’s Degree would need to obtain additional college units to meet this 90-unit threshold. This permit is designed to allow those with significant college coursework to enter the substitute teaching field. Both permits require the applicant to satisfy the state’s basic skills requirement.
Understanding the Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit
The specific authorization required to substitute teach in California is the Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit. This document authorizes the holder to serve as a day-to-day substitute in any classroom, spanning from preschool up to grade 12, or in classes organized for adults. The permit is valid for one calendar year from the date of issuance and is renewable annually.
This permit allows districts to quickly address staffing shortages by employing qualified individuals who do not hold a standard teaching credential. Local educational agencies must maintain a completed Statement of Need on file to employ individuals using this emergency authorization. This procedural step confirms that a fully credentialed person is not available or does not meet the specific employment criteria established by the local agency.
Non-Academic Requirements and Application Steps
All substitute teacher applicants must satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR), which ensures proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics. The most traditional method for meeting the BSR is by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), which requires a minimum total scaled score of 123 across the three sections. Alternatives exist, including achieving qualifying scores on the College Board SAT or ACT examinations, or passing specific college courses in reading, writing, and mathematics with a grade of B or better.
The application process also mandates a thorough criminal history clearance through the Live Scan fingerprinting process. Applicants must complete this background check, which sends fingerprints electronically to the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Once the BSR is met and the background check is initiated, candidates apply for the permit directly through the CTC’s online platform, known as CTC Online. This step involves creating an Educator Account, submitting the required documentation such as official transcripts and BSR verification, and paying the necessary application fee. After the CTC processes and issues the permit, the individual must then apply to local school districts or county offices of education for employment. School districts will conduct their own hiring process, which includes verifying the permit and scheduling the substitute teacher for assignments.
Limitations of the 30-Day Substitute Permit
Holders of the Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit operate under specific constraints concerning the duration of their assignments. The permit is strictly for day-to-day service, meaning the substitute cannot teach for more than 30 days for any one teacher in a general education classroom during the school year. This limitation ensures that long-term teaching assignments are eventually filled by fully credentialed teachers.
A more restrictive limit applies to special education settings, where the permit holder may only serve for a maximum of 20 days for any one teacher during the school year. The permit is also not applicable for service assignments, such as a school counselor, librarian, or school nurse, as these roles require specialized credentials. Furthermore, the Prospective Teacher permit limits the total number of days an individual may substitute to 90 days per school year, regardless of the teacher or classroom.