Becoming a Substitute Teacher in Alabama: Requirements, Certification & Licensure

<p>Unlike some other states, the state of Alabama requires that substitute teachers have a license to practice before acquiring work. The general information for acquiring that license is summarized in the table below. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td> High School Diploma (minimum)</td></tr> <tr><td>Exam Requirements </td><td> None</td></tr> <tr><td>Certification Renewal Period </td><td>Every five years</td></tr> <tr><td>Requirements for Renewal </td><td> Submission of required documents and forms</td></tr> <tr><td>Average Salary (2018) </td><td> $19,110 (substitute teachers in AL)*</td></tr> <tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td>8% (general teachers nationally)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---Requirements">Requirements</h3> <p>A person who is interested in becoming a substitute teacher in Alabama will need to have a high school diploma or have completed the equivalent, such as the General Education Diploma (GED), subject to approval by the Alabama State Department of Education. A list of approved institutions that provide diploma alternatives can be found on the Alabama State Department of Education website. One of those institutions is the Alabama Community College System, which offers GED preparation and testing. </p> <h4 id="section---BackgroundClearance">Background Clearance</h4> <p>Candidates for substitute teaching must also undergo and pass a background check that is carried out by the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (ASBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This includes fingerprinting in order to check the applicant's criminal history. The applicant's fingerprints will be collected by a qualified third party that has been designated by the Alabama State Department of Education. The full details and information regarding the background clearance process may be found online or by calling the toll-free number listed on the substitute license application form. </p> <h3 id="section---ApplicationProcess">Application Process</h3> <p>Individuals who are interested in being substitute teachers must complete the application form given on the Alabama State Department of Education website, but they cannot submit it themselves. Completed forms must be submitted to an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible private school administrator, who will then submit the documents to the Educator Certification Section of the Alabama State Department of Education. The official will then guide the applicant through the areas that must be satisfied for the application process to be completed. </p> <h4 id="section---ApplicationFee">Application Fee</h4> <p>The candidate must also pay a non-refundable application fee of $30 before the application can be processed. This fee may be paid using a cashier's check made payable to the Alabama State Department of Education or it can be paid via their online portal with a credit card. </p> <h3 id="section---CertificateRenewal">Certificate Renewal</h3> <p>Once received, the certificate is valid until the end of the year in which it was issued as well as the five consecutive years thereafter. At this point, another application must be made for a new license as substitute licenses cannot be renewed. The process is the same as when applying for the initial certificate. Alternatively, the candidate could undertake the education, assessments and professional work hours required to attain a standard teaching certificate. The full details for embarking on this path can be found on the Alabama State Department of Education website.</p>