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What are the requirements to be a substitute teacher in NY?

Author

Daniel Johnson

Published Mar 09, 2026

What are the requirements to be a substitute teacher in NY?

New York state does not have a minimum educational requirement for substitute teachers, but some schools, districts, and substitute teacher companies do. (For example, Swing Education requires all of its New York substitute teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree.)

How do I become a substitute teacher in upstate NY?

Substitute teachers must have proof of 60 college credits, an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, license or certification, depending on the school district. Teacher assistants need proof of high school diploma, a GED diploma, AAS diploma or a New York State Teaching Assistant Certificate, depending on the district.

Can you teach in NY without certification?

Applicants must have valid New York State teacher certification to begin teaching at a New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) school. Interested candidates who are not yet certified can enroll in one of many programs approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to earn certification.

How long does it take to become a substitute teacher in NYC?

It will take about two to four months, patience with the Department of Education bureaucracy (DOE), and $416 for fees. Visit the NYC DOE website for basic information on subs:

Can substitute teachers collect unemployment in NY?

New York City Department of Education Substitute Teachers have evolved with the high demand for coverage in our New York City Public School classrooms. The DOE does not allow Substitute Teachers to receive Unemployment Benefits.

How much do substitute teachers make in NY per day?

The daily rate of pay for a substitute teacher, effective February 1, 2019, is $188.75. Effective 5/14/2020, it will be $193.47; and effective 5/14/21 it will be $199.27.

How do I become a certified substitute teacher in NY?

The New York City Board of Education requires that all substitute teachers obtain a substitute license before working with the New York City Public School District. In order to apply to NYC’s substitute teaching program, individuals must be nominated by a school principal within the Board of Education’s online system.

How do I get an alternative teaching certificate?

Common Routes to Alternative Teaching Certification

  1. Complete a teacher preparation program approved by the state in which you will be seeking certification.
  2. Apply for a provisional teaching certificate in order to complete supervised teaching.
  3. Pass your state’s exams for prospective educators.

Can I teach with just a bachelor’s degree?

In order to become any kind of teacher, from elementary education to high school, you’ll have to have a bachelor’s degree. An education program is usually required in order for you to become a teacher due to the coursework, student teaching, and licensure requirements that will need to be met.

How much do substitute teachers make?

The median pay for substitute teachers in the US is $13.79 an hour. As of May 2018, more than 500,000 substitute teachers worked in the US, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Subs earned a median hourly wage of $13.79 and an average hourly wage of $15.56.

Can substitute teachers collect unemployment during Covid?

They have now provided this clarification, via the Department of Employment Protection and Social Welfare. Substitute members will be entitled to apply for the pandemic payment if they were in employment immediately before the schools closed.

Can teachers collect unemployment during the summer in NY?

New York does not allow teachers to collect unemployment during scheduled school breaks, such as winter vacation, spring break or the summer between academic years. However, if you are unable to get work again when school resumes, you can file for retroactive benefits to cover your unemployment during the break.

What are the requirements to be a substitute teacher?

Most school districts require substitute teachers to have a bachelor’s degree in any academic discipline from an accredited college or university. Some school districts require a minimum number of college credit hours. Yet in other institutions, only a high school diploma may be required.

How to become a substitute teacher?

Familiarize themselves with the school’s procedures and district regulations.

  • Consult with the board of education for the district where they’re interested in teaching to learn its requirements for substitute teachers.
  • Build their competitive edge by completing a teaching internship and staying current on teaching practices and technologies.
  • What is a substitute teaching certificate?

    A Content Substitute certificate is for individuals wishing to substitute teach in the K-12 classroom setting (elementary, middle/high school content areas, special education, art, music, PE, etc.).

    What is a substitute teacher?

    A substitute teacher is a person who teaches a school class when the regular teacher is unavailable; e.g., because of illness, personal leave, or other reasons.