How To Be a Substitute Teacher in Virginia: Certification & Requirements

Working in education can be a fulfilling and wonderful career; however, you may want to figure out if it's the best career for you before pursuing a degree full-time or signing a year-long contract. Maybe you're also looking for flexible work that allows you to make an impact on children's lives. If so, becoming a substitute teacher may be the right choice for you.

In this article, we'll make sure you understand the requirements for substitute teaching in Virginia, such as what certifications and experience you'll need. We'll also discuss some of the great benefits of being a substitute teacher.

Requirements To Become a Substitute Teacher in Virginia

Virginia has a basic set of requirements that all potential substitute teachers must meet before being eligible to apply for jobs. However, varying school boards and districts across the state may also have additional qualifications listed in a job posting that are important to note. The Virginia Department of Education and Virginia's Administrative Code oversee these requirements.

It's important to note that in Virginia, substitute teacher certification is not required nor is an official teaching license.

Basic requirements for substitute teachers in Virginia include the following:

• at least 18 years of age
• high school diploma or a GED certificate
• two years of work with children, two years of full-time post-secondary education, or enrollment in an approved teacher education preparatory program
• eligible to work within the United States
• ability to pass a criminal background check with fingerprinting

Many schools also require substitute teacher candidates to pass an orientation program for that specific school district. It's important to note that only some schools may accept enrollment in an approved teacher preparatory program in lieu of the full two years of post-secondary education requirement.

Additionally, while long-term substitute teaching is an option in the state, no substitute teacher in Virginia is permitted to fill a school vacancy for more than 90 days within one school year.

Steps To Get a Job as a Substitute Teacher in Virginia

As you start to look into becoming a substitute teacher in Virginia, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all of the information published online by the Virginia Department of Education and other official sources. We give you some simple steps to follow for getting a job as a substitute in Virginia.

1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED

The most basic educational requirement to meet when working as a substitute teacher is the completion of a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certification. Either of these educational basics gives you the foundational education you need to pursue higher education within the teaching field and thrive in the workplace.

2. Understand Experience Requirements

Substitute teachers in Virginia are required to have at least two years of full-time college experience or two years of work experience with children or teaching. Some school districts may also allow students to show enrollment in an approved postsecondary teacher education preparatory program or a high school teacher's preparation program, such as Fairfax County's Teachers for Tomorrow.

A school's human resources department may check your college credit hours, references, transcripts, and other documents to ensure you meet experience requirements when determining your eligibility for a role.

3. Earn College Credits or Pursue a Bachelor's Degree

In general, college credits or the completion of a bachelor's degree in an education-related field are required for licensure and other types of teacher certifications. However, Virginia does not currently require that substitute teachers achieve any specific type of certification.

That being said, you must at least meet the two-year requirement of experience or college education. Some school districts may also require that substitutes also have a valid degree. Fortunately, higher degrees tend to result in a higher annual salary for substitute teachers and teachers in Virginia.

4. Employment Verification, Background Checks, and Fingerprinting

A criminal background check and fingerprinting, in addition to the verification of your educational and employment experiences, is the next to last step in becoming a substitute teacher in Virginia. You must pass all background checks and reference verifications in order to be fully eligible for a substitute teaching position; each school district can further explain school policies and steps for completing these requirements.

5. Complete Training and Orientation

The majority of schools in Virginia require that all new substitute teachers complete training and orientation into the school they will be working at. This allows them to become accustomed to different procedures and settle into the workplace. Substitute teachers may not be allowed to work in the school without completing training and orientation.

Meeting Virginia Certification Requirements: College Credits vs. Work Experience

The Virginia Department of Education allows for two different experience requirements shen it comes to being a substitute teacher. You will be able to choose between college credits and work experience. While some individuals may want to work as a substitute teacher while completing their education or teaching degree, others may have hands-on experience with children and want to work as a substitute to further that experience. Whichever method you choose to complete these requirements depends on your preferences and position in your professional and educational life.

However, you should keep in mind that some schools in Virginia might have different policies and require a completed degree, even for substitute teachers. You may need also to obtain a CPR license, complete a school-specific training course, or have experience in special education, depending on school policies. To avoid any issues, review the job requirements before submitting your application.

Benefits of Substitute Teaching at Public Schools in Virginia

Working as a substitute teacher in Virginia offers several benefits. To start with, substitute teaching is very flexible, and you are often able to choose your hours and the subjects you teach depending on what is available at a certain school. Substitute teaching can also offer hands-on and classroom experience which can be incredibly beneficial for someone who is completing their degree in education.

Substitute teaching is often very rewarding for those who are pursuing a career in education, and it can often offer a pathway to teaching licensure and higher positions in the education field.

Pursue an Online Bachelor's Degree Program in Education Today

If you are interested in starting your career in education or working as a substitute teacher in Virginia, you will need to make sure that you meet basic educational requirements. An online bachelor's degree program in education can be just the thing to get you started on your journey to becoming a teacher. Check out the information on Learn.org to figure out which schools offer online degree programs in education that can suit your goals.