Georgia Substitute Teacher Requirements
Official Georgia 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
2
Optional/Recommended
$95
Daily Rate (avg)
Georgia 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
Georgia does not require a bachelor's degree for substitute teachers. The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma or GED for most districts. However, some school systems may prefer or require candidates to have completed some college coursework. Candidates with a bachelor's degree or teaching certificate may qualify for higher-level or long-term substitute positions.
Background Check
All substitute teachers in Georgia must obtain a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) background clearance, which includes fingerprinting for both a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and FBI criminal background check. The GaPSC clearance certificate must be obtained before any substitute can begin working in a Georgia public school.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Georgia must be at least 18 years of age. Some districts may set the minimum age requirement at 20 or 21, so applicants should verify the specific age policy with the district.
Application Process
Georgia substitute teachers must first obtain a GaPSC clearance certificate through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's online portal (MyPSC). After receiving clearance, applicants apply to individual school districts. Many Georgia districts use online platforms or staffing agencies to manage their substitute teacher pools.
Recommended / Optional
Substitute Teaching Permit/License
Georgia does not issue a separate substitute teaching license. Instead, the GaPSC clearance certificate serves as the primary authorization for substitute teaching. Individual school districts determine additional eligibility requirements and manage substitute credentials at the local level.
Training/Orientation
Georgia school districts typically provide an orientation for new substitute teachers covering district policies, safety and emergency procedures, student confidentiality requirements, and basic classroom management strategies. Some districts require ongoing professional development for substitutes who work regularly.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission - Substitute Teaching page.
After Authorization: How to Actually Get Called More in Georgia
Complete the official government process
Satisfy Georgia'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 Georgia, your documented reliability becomes your strongest job security.
The Real Picture in Georgia
$95
Avg Daily Rate
$28,500
Annual (regular subs)
Associate's degree
Education Floor
Often No
License Required?
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
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 Georgia are issued exclusively by state, provincial, and district government authorities — never by Substitute Teacher Training or any private provider.
Meet the Georgia 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.