How to Become a Substitute Teacher | Swing Education
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How to get started
Step 1
Sign up
Getting started is simple. Sign up in minutes and start the setup process to teach through Swing.
Step 2
Complete requirements
We guide you through your background check, and every other requirement, step by step.
Step 3
Teach and earn
Browse open jobs near you, pick up shifts that fit your schedule and get paid fast.
Substitute Teacher Requirements by State
Find out what you need to start teaching in your state and explore opportunities with Swing
Requirements to Substitute Teach in California
To work as a substitute teacher through Swing Education in California, you’ll need to meet some minimum requirements. Some assignments, schools, or districts may require additional qualifications based on the role and student population served.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Fingerprint clearance through a California DOJ and FBI background check (Live Scan)
- Current tuberculosis (TB) clearance
- Completion of Mandated Reporter Training (MRT) and Harassment Prevention Training (HPT)
- Completion of Swing’s setup requirements
Don’t have a substitute teaching permit? You don’t need a California substitute teaching permit to apply or get started with many Swing opportunities. If you’re interested in obtaining a permit, we’ll help guide you through the process through our Permit Assist program. Learn more
Additional Requirements for Specialized or Certificated Roles
Gain access to more assignment opportunities by meeting the qualifications required for certain specialized teaching roles. Requirements may include:
- Active California teaching credential or substitute teacher permits ( See acceptable permits)
- Special education experience or qualifications
- Subject-matter expertise or relevant teaching experience
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Early childhood education (ECE) units, certifications, or qualifications
- District-required training, orientation, or compliance documentation
Important Note
Requirements may vary by school, district, and assignment type. Additional qualifications may be needed for long-term, credentialed, special education, or other specialized teaching roles.
Requirements to Substitute Teach in Texas
To work as a substitute teacher through Swing Education in Texas, you’ll need to meet Texas’s minimum requirements. Some assignments, schools, or districts may require additional qualifications based on the role and student population served.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- All TEA Clearance requirements: Fingerprint background check, Do Not Hire Registry, Affidavit
- Completion of Swing’s setup process
Additional Requirements for Specialized or Certified Roles
Gain access to more assignment opportunities by meeting the qualifications required for certain specialized teaching roles. Requirements may include:
- Active Texas teaching certification
- Special education experience or qualifications
- Subject-matter expertise or relevant teaching experience
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Early childhood education (ECE) units, endorsements, certifications, or qualifications
- District-required training, orientation, or compliance documentation
Requirements to Substitute Teach in Arizona
To work as a substitute teacher through Swing Education in Arizona, you’ll need to meet Arizona’s minimum requirements. Some assignments, schools, or districts may require additional qualifications based on the role and student population served.
Minimum Requirements
- Substitute Teaching License in Arizona
- A valid IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Completion of Swing’s setup process
Additional Requirements for Specialized or Certified Roles
Gain access to more assignment opportunities by meeting the qualifications required for certain specialized teaching roles. Requirements may include:
- Active Arizona teaching credential or substitute teacher license ( See acceptable permits)
- Special education experience or qualifications
- Subject-matter expertise or relevant teaching experience
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Early childhood education (ECE) certifications, or qualifications
- District-required training, orientation, or compliance documentation
Requirements to Substitute Teach in New Jersey
To work as a substitute teacher through Swing Education in New Jersey, you’ll need to meet some minimum requirements. Some assignments, schools, or districts may require additional qualifications based on the role and student population served.
Minimum Requirements
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, unless you hold a NJ Instructional Substitute Credential or Teaching Certificate (CE/CEAS)
- Criminal History Record Check (fingerprinting) through the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE)
- Current tuberculosis (TB) clearance
- Completion of employment history verification (Public Law 2018, c. 5)
- Completion of Swing’s setup requirements
Don’t have a substitute teaching permit? You don’t need a New Jersey substitute teaching permit to apply or get started with many Swing opportunities. If you’re interested in obtaining a permit, we’ll help guide you through the process through our Permit Assist program. Learn more
Additional Requirements for Specialized or Certificated Roles
Gain access to more assignment opportunities by meeting the qualifications required for certain specialized teaching roles. Requirements may include:
- Active New Jersey teaching certificate or substitute teacher permits ( See acceptable permits)
- Special education experience or qualifications
- Subject-matter expertise or relevant teaching experience
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Early childhood education (ECE) units, certifications, or qualifications
- District-required training, orientation, or compliance documentation
Requirements to Substitute Teach in New York
To work as a substitute teacher through Swing Education in New York, you’ll need to meet New York’s minimum requirements. Some assignments, schools, or districts may require additional qualifications based on the role and student population served.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- You’ll need to be fingerprinted with the NY State Education Department
- Completion of Swing’s setup process
Additional Requirements for Specialized or Certified Roles
Gain access to more assignment opportunities by meeting the qualifications required for certain specialized teaching roles. Requirements may include:
- Active New York Teaching Certificate
- Special education experience or qualifications
- Subject-matter expertise or relevant teaching experience
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Early childhood education (ECE) units, certifications, or qualifications
- District-required training, orientation, or compliance documentation
Requirements to Substitute Teach in DC
To work as a substitute teacher through Swing Education in DC, you’ll need to meet DC’s minimum requirements. Some assignments, schools, or districts may require additional qualifications based on the role and student population served.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- FBI fingerprint-based background check
- Completion of employment history verification (School Safety Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018)
- Court records
- Completion of Swing’s setup process
Additional Requirements for Specialized or Certified Roles
Gain access to more assignment opportunities by meeting the qualifications required for certain specialized teaching roles. Requirements may include:
- Special education experience or qualifications
- Subject-matter expertise or relevant teaching experience
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Early childhood education (ECE) hours, credits, certifications, or qualifications
- District-required training, orientation, or compliance documentation
Requirements to Substitute Teach in Illinois
To work as a substitute teacher through Swing Education in IL, you’ll need to meet Illinois’s minimum requirements. Some assignments, schools, or districts may require additional qualifications based on the role and student population served.
Minimum Requirements
- Valid Substitute Teaching License or Professional Educator License in Illinois
- Fingerprint based background checks: IL State, FBI, CPS
- Criminal history record check across national databases
- Completion of employment history verification (Faith’s Law)
- Completion of your Swing account setup, and additional Illinois requirements including Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement