Become a Substitute Teacher in Wisconsin Without a Degree
Wisconsin substitute teacher without a degree. Degree Required?: Yes (or equivalent credits). Minimum Education: bachelor's degree or substitute teaching permit with 60+ cre.
Yes (or equivalent credits)
Degree Required?
bachelor's degree or substitute teaching permit with 60+ cre
Minimum Education
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
Licensing Body
Community college credits may qualify
Alternative Path
Wisconsin: Without a Degree
Wisconsin Requirements Snapshot
Legal minimums. Real success comes from exceeding them with classroom skills.
Required
Education Requirements
Wisconsin does not require a statewide license for short-term substitute teaching assignments of 20 or fewer consecutive days in the same assignment. For these short-term positions, the education requirements are set by individual school districts. However, for longer-term substitute assignments exceeding 20 days, a bachelor's degree and a DPI-issued substitute license are required.
Background Check
All substitute teachers in Wisconsin must undergo a criminal background check as required by state law. The background check includes a review of criminal records through the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ). Districts are responsible for conducting these checks and must verify clearance before allowing any substitute to work with students.
Age Requirements
Substitute teachers in Wisconsin must be at least 18 years of age. For those seeking a DPI substitute license for longer-term assignments, the minimum age is also 18, with verification required through valid government-issued identification.
Application Process
For short-term substitute positions, candidates apply directly to individual school districts in Wisconsin. For longer-term positions requiring a DPI substitute license, candidates must apply through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) online licensing system. After obtaining the DPI license, candidates then apply to districts for placement opportunities.
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 Wisconsin state and district government authorities — never by any training provider.
Succeed as a Substitute in Wisconsin
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.