Things You'll Need:
- Bachelor's degree
- Completion of application
- Medical examination
- Consent for criminal background check
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Step 1
Receive a bachelor's degree before applying for a spot as a substitute teacher. This degree need not necessarily be in education; any four-year degree from an accredited college can qualify you to become a substitute teacher.
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Step 2
Approach the local district headquarters for information on filling out an application to become a sub. In most cases, there will also be an application fee that must be paid to cover expenses. The application generally is easy enough to fill out and asks only for basic information about your work and educational history.
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Step 3
Call your doctor and set up a basic examination. A medical examination is required for substitute teachers mainly to check that the applicant does not have contagious diseases like TB. At present, no psychological evaluation is required for becoming a substitute teacher in Texas.
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Step 4
Agree to and give permission for a criminal background check. The background check is an essential component that anyone working in the school system must pass. Do not worry if you have been arrested for a crime like protesting at a political rally or have several traffic infractions on your criminal record. This background check is mainly there to look for hardcore felony offenses and any arrests related to abuse of minors.
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Step 5
Complete the procedures in place according to the district for learning about open substitute teaching positions. Most districts operate with a computerized call list in which you input which grades, times, schools and subjects you are comfortable teaching. When a position opens up, an automatic dialing program will call you and alert you, allowing you to accept or reject. Other districts may be low-tech, placing the burden of finding jobs on you by listing your availability to teach on each school's teacher bulletin board. Check with the district to lean the way its system operates.
