Become a Substitute Teacher in North Carolina Without a Degree
North Carolina substitute teacher without a degree. Degree Required?: Yes (or equivalent credits). Minimum Education: bachelor's degree preferred; some districts accept 60 credit.
Yes (or equivalent credits)
Degree Required?
bachelor's degree preferred; some districts accept 60 credit
Minimum Education
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Licensing Body
Community college credits may qualify
Alternative Path
North Carolina: Without a Degree
North Carolina Requirements Snapshot
Legal minimums. Real success comes from exceeding them with classroom skills.
Required
Education Requirements
North Carolina offers two tiers of substitute teaching. A licensed substitute must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. A non-licensed substitute may qualify with a high school diploma or GED, though employment options and pay may be more limited at the district level.
Background Check
All substitute teacher applicants must undergo a comprehensive criminal background check, including fingerprinting processed through the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the FBI. Any history of felony convictions or certain misdemeanors may disqualify an applicant. Background checks must be completed before any classroom assignment.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in North Carolina must be at least 18 years of age. This minimum age requirement applies to both licensed and non-licensed substitute categories.
Application Process
Applicants should apply through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for a substitute teaching license or directly through individual school districts for non-licensed positions. The application typically requires official transcripts, identification documents, and background check authorization. Processing times vary, so early application is recommended.
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 North Carolina state and district government authorities — never by any training provider.
Succeed as a Substitute in North Carolina
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.