Maryland Substitute Teacher Requirements
Official Maryland 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
$135
Daily Rate (avg)
Maryland 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
Maryland requires substitute teachers to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The degree can be in any field and does not need to be in education. Official transcripts must be provided as part of the certification application process through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Background Check
All substitute teacher candidates in Maryland must undergo a comprehensive criminal background check, including fingerprinting processed through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and the FBI. Maryland also requires a review of the candidate's record on the state child abuse and neglect registry. Background clearance must be obtained before any classroom assignment.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Maryland must be at least 18 years of age. Given the bachelor's degree requirement, most candidates will be at least 21 or 22 years of age upon application.
Application Process
Candidates apply for a substitute teaching certificate through the MSDE online educator certification system. The application requires official transcripts, background check results, and payment of the applicable fee. After receiving state certification, candidates must also apply with individual school districts to be placed on their substitute teacher roster.
MSDE Certification
Maryland issues a substitute teaching certificate through the Maryland State Department of Education. This certificate authorizes the holder to serve as a substitute teacher in any Maryland public school. The certificate is valid for five years and must be renewed before expiration. Holders of a valid Maryland professional teaching certificate do not need a separate substitute certificate.
Recommended / Optional
Training/Orientation
Maryland does not require specific state-mandated training hours for substitute teachers, but individual districts often require orientation sessions. These sessions typically cover school safety protocols, district policies, student management strategies, and use of educational technology platforms. Some districts offer paid training days for substitute teachers.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Maryland State Department of Education Certification page.
After Authorization: How to Actually Get Called More in Maryland
Complete the official government process
Satisfy Maryland'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 Maryland, your documented reliability becomes your strongest job security.
The Real Picture in Maryland
$135
Avg Daily Rate
$35,000
Annual (regular subs)
60 college credit hours
Education Floor
Yes
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 Maryland are issued exclusively by state, provincial, and district government authorities — never by Substitute Teacher Training or any private provider.
Meet the Maryland 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.