Alabama
Background Check

Background Check Requirements for Substitute Teachers in Alabama

Alabama substitute teacher background check. Background Check Type: ALEA and FBI fingerprint. Approximate Cost: $41.

ALEA and FBI fingerprint

Background Check Type

$41

Approximate Cost

2-4 weeks

Processing Time

Alabama State Department of Education

Administered By

Every 3-5 years

Renewal Period

Alabama: Background Check

Alabama background check: Background Check Type — ALEA and FBI fingerprint. Approximate Cost — $41. Processing Time — 2-4 weeks. Administered By — Alabama State Department of Education. Renewal Period — Every 3-5 years. Larger cities in this guide: Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Tuscaloosa. Huntsville is the largest listed city, population 215,006, out of 20 cities on file. Example districts: Jefferson County School District, Mobile County Public School System, Madison County School District, Huntsville City Schools. Notes specific to this Alabama page: usually late summer before the school year begins; approximately $41. Alabama state record: a separate substitute license is not required in this record; a background check is required. Cost-of-living index 89. Region: southeast.

Alabama Requirements Snapshot

Legal minimums. Real success comes from exceeding them with classroom skills.

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Required

Education Requirements

Alabama requires substitute teachers to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED along with at least 48 semester hours of college credit from a regionally accredited institution, or an associate's degree. A bachelor's degree is not required, though candidates who hold one may qualify for higher-level substitute positions with fewer restrictions.

Background Check

All substitute teacher applicants in Alabama must undergo a criminal background check, including fingerprinting processed through the Alabama State Department of Education and the FBI. The background check must be cleared before placement in any classroom. Results are typically returned within two to four weeks.

Age Requirements

Substitute teachers in Alabama 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

Applicants should apply directly through the local school district in which they wish to substitute teach. Most Alabama districts manage their own substitute pools and may use third-party staffing services. Required documents typically include transcripts, identification, and background check authorization forms.

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.

Practical skills training only. Actual substitute teaching authorization, certification, permits, and credentials are issued exclusively by Alabama state and district government authorities — never by any training provider.

Succeed as a Substitute in Alabama

Practical skills training that helps you stand out once you have met the government's authorization requirements. We do not issue credentials or guarantees.

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 does not issue substitute teaching authorization, credentials, or employment. All decisions rest solely with state education authorities, provincial ministries, and local school districts.