Indiana Substitute Teacher Requirements
Official Indiana 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.
5
Required Items
1
Optional/Recommended
$90
Daily Rate (avg)
Indiana 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
Indiana requires substitute teachers to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The degree does not need to be in education, but candidates must demonstrate competency in the subject areas they intend to teach. Transcripts must be submitted as part of the application process.
Background Check
All substitute teacher applicants in Indiana must undergo an expanded criminal background check, including national and state-level fingerprint-based screening. The background check is conducted through the Indiana State Police and the FBI. Applicants with certain felony or misconduct convictions may be disqualified from eligibility.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Indiana must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. There is no maximum age limit for substitute teaching in the state.
Application Process
Candidates must apply for a Substitute Teaching Permit through the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) online licensing system. The application requires official transcripts, background check results, and a completed application form. Once approved, the permit is valid for five years and must be renewed before expiration.
Substitute Teaching Permit
Indiana issues a Substitute Teaching Permit through the IDOE that authorizes holders to serve as substitute teachers in any public school corporation in the state. The permit is valid for five years and requires a bachelor's degree. Holders of a valid Indiana teaching license are automatically eligible to substitute teach without a separate permit.
Recommended / Optional
Training/Orientation
While the state does not mandate a specific number of training hours for substitute teachers, most Indiana school districts require substitutes to complete a district-level orientation session. This orientation typically covers classroom management, emergency procedures, district policies, and technology use.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Indiana Department of Education Educator Licensing page.
After Authorization: How to Actually Get Called More in Indiana
Complete the official government process
Satisfy Indiana'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 Indiana, your documented reliability becomes your strongest job security.
The Real Picture in Indiana
$90
Avg Daily Rate
$28,500
Annual (regular subs)
High school diploma
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 Indiana are issued exclusively by state, provincial, and district government authorities — never by Substitute Teacher Training or any private provider.
Meet the Indiana 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.