Utah Substitute Teacher Requirements
Official Utah 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
$105
Daily Rate (avg)
Utah 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
Utah requires substitute teachers to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The degree does not need to be in education, though candidates with education-related degrees may have additional employment opportunities. Official transcripts must be submitted to verify degree completion.
Background Check
All substitute teacher candidates in Utah must complete a criminal background check, including fingerprinting, through the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and the FBI. The background check is a prerequisite for licensure and must be cleared before the candidate can be placed in a classroom.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Utah must be at least 21 years of age to obtain a substitute teaching license through the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). This age requirement is higher than many other states and is a condition of licensure, not just district policy.
Application Process
Candidates must apply for a substitute teaching license through the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) online licensing system, CACTUS. After obtaining the state license, candidates then apply to individual Local Education Agencies (LEAs) or school districts for placement. Each LEA may have additional requirements beyond the state license.
Substitute Teaching Permit/License
Utah issues a Substitute License through the USBE, which is required to substitute teach in public schools. Additionally, an LEA Specific Educator License may be issued for longer-term substitute assignments in specific districts. The standard Substitute License must be renewed every three years and requires ongoing compliance with background check requirements.
Recommended / Optional
Training/Orientation
Utah does not mandate statewide training for substitute teachers, but individual school districts often require completion of an orientation program. District training typically covers classroom management, student safety, reporting requirements, and use of the district's instructional technology platforms.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Utah State Board of Education Licensing page.
After Authorization: How to Actually Get Called More in Utah
Complete the official government process
Satisfy Utah'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 Utah, your documented reliability becomes your strongest job security.
The Real Picture in Utah
$105
Avg Daily Rate
$30,000
Annual (regular subs)
High school diploma
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 Utah are issued exclusively by state, provincial, and district government authorities — never by Substitute Teacher Training or any private provider.
Meet the Utah 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.