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Teacher / Substitute Teacher
Compare teacher certification requirements, substitute teacher permits, exams, fees, and alternative pathways across every US state. Every data point sourced and verified against official state departments of education.
51
States Verified
48
Require Exams
51
Offer Alt Cert
51
Require Student Teaching
Every state sets its own teacher certification requirements. Degree expectations, required exams, and certification pathways vary significantly.
Earn a bachelor's degree, complete a state-approved teacher preparation program with student teaching, pass required exams (Praxis, state-specific tests), and apply for your initial certificate.
Most states offer alternative routes for career changers — earn your teaching certificate while you teach. Programs like Teach For America, TNTP, and state-specific residencies provide fast-track options.
Requirements for substitute teachers vary widely — from a high school diploma in some states to a bachelor's degree in others. Many states offer separate substitute permits with lower barriers to entry.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Degree | Primary Exam | App Fee | Total Fees | Cert Years | CE Hrs | Sub Req. | Alt Cert | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Subject Assessments | $38 | $500–$650 | 5 yr | 50 | High school diploma (standard); 60 semester hours of college credit (emergency substitute) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $200 | $600–$740 | 2 yr | Varies | High school diploma for short-term (under 20 days); valid teaching certificate for long-term (20+ days) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) - Professional Knowledge Exam | $60 | $430–$500 | 12 yr | 180 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) | $75 | $420–$550 | 5 yr | 36 | High school diploma or GED (standard substitute); bachelor's degree (long-term substitute, 30+ consecutive days) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) | $100 | $575–$875 | 5 yr | 150 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Subject Assessments (or equivalent content competency demonstration) | $90 | $250–$470 | 3 yr | 90 | High school diploma (1-year authorization); bachelor's degree (3-year authorization); Colorado or other state teaching license (5-year authorization) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution | Praxis Subject Tests | $200 | $525–$745 | 10 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree (for assignments of 40 days or less); bachelor's degree plus 12 credit hours in subject area (for assignments over 40 consecutive days) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or 30 credit hours in a subject field for alternative routes | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $100 | $465–$605 | 4 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution | Approved Basic Skills Exam (Praxis Core or equivalent) | $50 | $400–$540 | 2 yr | Varies | Determined by individual LEA (Local Education Agency) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) - General Knowledge Test | $75 | $490–$590 | 3 yr | Varies | Varies by district; typically high school diploma or higher | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university | Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) - Content Assessment | $20 | $260–$330 | 3 yr | Varies | Varies by district; typically bachelor's degree or 20 hours of GaPSC-approved training | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $0 | $330–$490 | 3 yr | Varies | Determined by HIDOE; HTSB does not certify substitutes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Subject Assessments | $75 | $235–$285 | 5 yr | Varies | Varies by district; typically high school diploma or bachelor's degree | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) - Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) | $100 | $700–$735 | 5 yr | 120 | Bachelor's degree (for Substitute Teaching License); or a valid Illinois PEL or ELS | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution | Indiana CORE Assessments for Educator Licensure - Pedagogy Assessment | $70 | $293 | 2 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree (standard substitute permit); associate's degree or 60 college credit hours (emergency substitute permit in shortage areas) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) | $85 | $227-$373 | 2 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree (for a Substitute Teaching License); or a valid Iowa teaching license | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $60 | $586–$696 | 2 yr | 160 | Bachelor's degree (standard substitute license); 60 college credit hours (emergency substitute license) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $85 | $572–$682 | 4 yr | Varies | Bachelor's degree (standard substitute certificate); 64 college credit hours (emergency substitute certificate) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $55 | $575–$685 | 3 yr | 150 | Bachelor's degree preferred; some parishes accept 60 college credit hours for substitute teaching | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $50 | $428–$538 | 5 yr | 6 | 60 college credit hours (minimum); bachelor's degree preferred | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $50 | $435–$545 | 5 yr | 6 | 60 college credit hours (minimum set by local school systems; some require a bachelor's degree) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Bachelor's degree | Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) - Communication and Literacy Skills | $100 | $433–$672 | 5 yr | 150 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Bachelor's degree | Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) - Professional Readiness Examination (PRE) | $66 | $396–$497 | 6 yr | 150 | 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or a valid teaching certificate | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Bachelor's degree | MTLE Content, Pedagogy, and Basic Skills Exams | $57 | $405–$680 | 5 yr | 125 | Bachelor's degree for short-call substituting; valid teaching license preferred | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $25 | $376–$546 | 5 yr | 10 | Associate's degree or 48 semester hours of college credit | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Bachelor's degree | Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) | $40 | $439–$759 | 4 yr | 15 | 60 semester credit hours of college-level coursework | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $55 | $373–$543 | 5 yr | 60 | Bachelor's degree or substitute teaching permit with district sponsorship | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Assessment | $50 | $370–$540 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree or valid teaching certificate | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $180 | $480–$650 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree for standard substitute license; 60 college credits for short-term substitute | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $120 | $370–$540 | 3 yr | 75 | Bachelor's degree preferred; local district may set requirements | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Test (Praxis II) | $105 | $293–$344 | — | 100 | 60 college credits or a valid teaching certificate | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Bachelor's degree | NES Essential Academic Skills (EAS) | $55 | $363–$574 | 5 yr | Varies | Associate's degree or 60 semester hours, or a valid teaching license | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Bachelor's degree | Educating All Students (EAS) | $50 | $414–$714 | 5 yr | 100 | Bachelor's degree (varies by district; some may accept 60 college credits) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis II - Content Knowledge | $70 | $347–$577 | 3 yr | 80 | Bachelor's degree (standard); some districts accept associate's degree or 48 college credits for emergency substitutes | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis II - Content Knowledge | $55 | $366–$416 | 2 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching License; districts may hire non-licensed substitutes for short-term needs | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Bachelor's degree | Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) - Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) | $25 | $295–$320 | 4 yr | 18 | Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching License; non-licensed substitutes with some college may be used in emergency situations | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Bachelor's degree | Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET) | $50 | $401 | 5 yr | 75 | Bachelor's degree for standard substitute certificate; 90 college credit hours for emergency substitute certificate | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Bachelor's degree | Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) - Multiple Subjects Exam or NES Content Exam | $197 | $322–$352 | 3 yr | Varies | Bachelor's degree for a Restricted Substitute Teaching License; any valid Oregon teaching license also qualifies | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (or SAT/ACT/GRE equivalent scores) | $150 | $327.60–$477.60 | 6 yr | 180 | Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching Permit; emergency/day-to-day substitutes may have lower requirements at district discretion | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $100 | $345–$495 | 5 yr | Varies | Bachelor's degree | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $105 | $540–$710 | 3 yr | 120 | Bachelor's degree for a standard Substitute Teaching Certificate; some districts may use emergency substitutes with an associate's degree or 60+ college credits | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $50 | $363.25–$513.25 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree for a Substitute Teaching Certificate; some districts may request emergency authorization for substitutes with less education | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $75 | $500–$700 | 3 yr | 90 | Bachelor's degree | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Bachelor's degree | TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) Content Exam | $77 | $400–$550 | 5 yr | 150 | High school diploma or equivalent (varies by district; some require 60 college hours or bachelor's degree) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Assessment | $100 | $310–$400 | 3 yr | 200 | High school diploma or equivalent (districts may set higher requirements) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $200 | $500–$640 | 3 yr | 9 | Bachelor's degree (varies by district; some may accept associate's degree or 60 college credits) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $50 | $550–$750 | 5 yr | 180 | Bachelor's degree (local school boards may set requirements; some accept 60 college credits) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Bachelor's degree | WEST-B (Washington Educator Skills Test - Basic) | $62 | $700–$900 | 5 yr | 150 | Bachelor's degree (or 72 quarter hours/48 semester hours of college credit for limited substitute certificate) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators | $25 | $500–$650 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree (or college coursework with county approval for short-term substitute permits) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Assessment | $125 | $380–$540 | 5 yr | 6 | Bachelor's degree (short-term substitutes may need only a substitute license with 60+ credits in some cases) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Bachelor's degree | Praxis Subject Assessment | $100 | $370–$420 | 5 yr | 5 | Substitute teaching permit requires a minimum of 60 college semester hours (bachelor's degree not required for short-term substituting) | Yes | Mar 2026 |
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