Florida Substitute Teacher Requirements
Official Florida minimums (last reviewed February 8, 2026). Authorization comes only from government authorities. The real competitive edge: practical classroom skills that get you called back repeatedly.
4
Required Items
3
Optional/Recommended
$100
Daily Rate (avg)
Florida Requirements
These are the current published minimums. Skills that exceed them are what move you to the top of district call lists.
Required
Education Requirements
Florida requires substitute teachers to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED combined with at least 48 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution, or an associate's degree. A bachelor's degree is not required. Some districts may set higher education standards at the local level.
Background Check
All substitute teachers in Florida must undergo a Level 2 background screening, which includes fingerprinting processed through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI. This screening checks for any disqualifying criminal offenses. The background check must be cleared before the substitute can be assigned to any school.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Florida must be at least 18 years of age. There is no maximum age limit for substitute teaching in the state.
Application Process
Florida substitute teachers apply directly through the school district in which they wish to work. Each district manages its own substitute pool and may use online application systems or partner with staffing agencies. Required documents typically include transcripts, valid government-issued identification, and background check authorization.
Recommended / Optional
Substitute Teaching Permit/License
Florida does not require a state-issued substitute teaching certificate for day-to-day substitute positions. Instead, districts authorize substitutes at the local level. However, substitutes who will serve in long-term assignments (typically more than 15-30 consecutive days) may need a valid Florida teaching certificate or a temporary certificate.
Training/Orientation
Florida school districts typically require substitute teachers to attend a district orientation that covers classroom management, school safety procedures, mandatory reporting obligations, and use of district technology platforms. Some districts offer paid training sessions for substitutes.
References
Most Florida school districts require two to three professional or personal references as part of the substitute teacher application. References should be from individuals who can speak to the candidate's reliability, professionalism, and suitability for working with students.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Florida Department of Education - Certification page.
After Authorization: How to Actually Get Called More in Florida
Complete the official government process
Satisfy Florida's published education, background check, and application requirements. These are issued only by state and district authorities.
Install fast authority signals
Students decide in the first 90 seconds whether to cooperate. Master the specific voice, posture, and routine moves that establish calm control immediately.
Build a portable engagement toolkit
Have 5-6 repeatable tactics ready for any grade band. Subs who keep learning happening (not just managed) get requested for long-term and repeat assignments.
Earn a reputation that travels
Leave every classroom better + one precise note. In Florida, your documented reliability becomes your strongest job security.
The Real Picture in Florida
$100
Avg Daily Rate
$29,000
Annual (regular subs)
60 college credit hours
Education Floor
Often No
License Required?
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
All State Requirements
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Florida: Salary Guide
Florida: Without a Degree
Florida: Background Check
Florida: Age Requirements
Florida: State Credential
Florida: How to Apply
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Classroom Skills Courses
Practical training that gets you called more
This is skills-based professional development training only. It does not constitute state certification, a teaching license, or a guarantee of employment or assignments. All substitute teaching authorization and certification is issued exclusively by government/state/provincial/district authorities.
Skills-based professional development only. Actual substitute teaching authorization, certification, permits, and credentials in Florida are issued exclusively by state, provincial, and district government authorities — never by Substitute Teacher Training or any private provider.
Meet the Florida Rules — Then Stand Out with Skills
Our courses focus on the exact classroom tactics that turn authorized substitutes into the ones schools request again and again. All authorization and credentials come exclusively from state and district authorities.
Substitute Teacher Training provides practical skills development and resources to help substitute teachers perform more effectively in the classroom. Actual substitute teaching authorization, certification, permits, and credentials are issued exclusively by government/state/provincial/district education authorities. Decisions about hiring, pay rates, assignments, and any required credentials are made solely by schools, districts, and state education authorities. Completion of our courses results in a Certificate of Completion for professional development purposes only. We do not issue, approve, or guarantee any form of certification or employment.
Substitute Teacher Training provides no authorization, certification, or employment guarantees. All hiring, pay, and credential decisions rest solely with schools, districts, and state education authorities.