Become a Substitute Teacher in Florida Without a Degree
Florida substitute teacher without a degree. Degree Required?: Yes (or equivalent credits). Minimum Education: 60 college credits or passing score on state-approved exam.
Yes (or equivalent credits)
Degree Required?
60 college credits or passing score on state-approved exam
Minimum Education
Florida Department of Education
Licensing Body
Community college credits may qualify
Alternative Path
Florida: Without a Degree
Florida Requirements Snapshot
Legal minimums. Real success comes from exceeding them with classroom skills.
Required
Education Requirements
Florida requires substitute teachers to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED combined with at least 48 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution, or an associate's degree. A bachelor's degree is not required. Some districts may set higher education standards at the local level.
Background Check
All substitute teachers in Florida must undergo a Level 2 background screening, which includes fingerprinting processed through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI. This screening checks for any disqualifying criminal offenses. The background check must be cleared before the substitute can be assigned to any school.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Florida must be at least 18 years of age. There is no maximum age limit for substitute teaching in the state.
Application Process
Florida substitute teachers apply directly through the school district in which they wish to work. Each district manages its own substitute pool and may use online application systems or partner with staffing agencies. Required documents typically include transcripts, valid government-issued identification, and background check authorization.
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 Florida state and district government authorities — never by any training provider.
Succeed as a Substitute in Florida
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.