How Old Do You Need to Be to Substitute Teach in Mississippi?
Mississippi substitute teacher age requirements. Minimum Age: 18 years old. Maximum Age: No limit.
18 years old
Minimum Age
No limit
Maximum Age
Government-issued ID required
Age Verification
Paraprofessional or aide roles
Alternative for Younger Adults
Mississippi: Age Requirements
Mississippi Requirements Snapshot
Legal minimums. Real success comes from exceeding them with classroom skills.
Required
Education Requirements
Mississippi offers multiple substitute teaching license tiers based on education level. A Standard Substitute License requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. An Expert Citizen Substitute License is available for candidates with a high school diploma or GED plus at least 48 semester hours of college credit. The license type determines the scope of assignments available.
Background Check
All substitute teacher applicants in Mississippi must undergo a criminal background check including fingerprinting through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the FBI. The background check must be cleared before the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) will issue a substitute license. Applicants with disqualifying offenses will be denied licensure.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Mississippi must be at least 21 years of age for the Standard Substitute License. For the Expert Citizen Substitute License, candidates must also be at least 21. This higher age requirement distinguishes Mississippi from many other states.
Application Process
Candidates apply for a substitute teaching license through the Mississippi Department of Education online licensure system (ELMS). The application requires official transcripts, background check results, and the applicable fee. District superintendents must verify the applicant's eligibility, and the license is issued by the MDE upon approval.
Substitute Teaching License
Mississippi issues substitute teaching licenses through the MDE in multiple tiers. The Standard Substitute License requires a bachelor's degree and is valid for five years. The Expert Citizen Substitute License requires a high school diploma plus 48 college credit hours and is valid for one year, renewable annually. Both licenses authorize the holder to substitute teach in Mississippi public schools.
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 Mississippi state and district government authorities — never by any training provider.
Succeed as a Substitute in Mississippi
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.