Become a Substitute Teacher in Virginia Without a Degree
Virginia substitute teacher without a degree. Degree Required?: Yes (or equivalent credits). Minimum Education: bachelor's degree or 60 college credits.
Yes (or equivalent credits)
Degree Required?
bachelor's degree or 60 college credits
Minimum Education
Virginia Department of Education
Licensing Body
Community college credits may qualify
Alternative Path
Virginia: Without a Degree
Virginia Requirements Snapshot
Legal minimums. Real success comes from exceeding them with classroom skills.
Required
Education Requirements
Virginia requires substitute teachers to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university to qualify for a Division-Level Substitute License. The degree may be in any subject area. Candidates without a bachelor's degree may be considered under emergency provisions at the discretion of the local school division.
Background Check
All substitute teachers in Virginia must undergo a criminal background check, including fingerprinting, through the Virginia State Police and the FBI. Additionally, candidates are screened against the Virginia Sex Offender Registry and the Child Protective Services Central Registry. Background clearance must be obtained before any classroom assignment.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Virginia must be at least 18 years of age. Identification verifying age is required during the application and onboarding process with the school division.
Application Process
Candidates apply for substitute teaching positions through individual school divisions in Virginia. Each division manages its own substitute hiring process, which typically includes an online application, transcript submission, background check, and orientation. Some divisions use third-party staffing agencies to manage their substitute pools.
Substitute Teaching Permit/License
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) authorizes school divisions to issue Division-Level Substitute Licenses. These licenses are valid only within the issuing school division and must be renewed according to division policy. Candidates with a valid Virginia teaching license may substitute without obtaining a separate substitute license.
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 Virginia state and district government authorities — never by any training provider.
Succeed as a Substitute in Virginia
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.