Learn how to become a substitute teacher in Florida

Florida, like many states, faces teacher shortages, meaning substitutes are always needed. Some districts even offer long-term substitute opportunities. Here are three great reasons to consider becoming a substitute teacher in Florida:

Substitute teaching in Florida: Fast facts

The student-teacher ratio in Florida varies by district, but the state average is around 17:1 for public schools. However, this number can be higher in some areas, particularly in urban and high-demand districts. Florida has class size limits under the state’s Class Size Reduction Amendment, which sets a maximum of:

• 18 students per teacher in grades K-3
• 22 students per teacher in grades 4-8
• 25 students per teacher in grades 9-12

If you’d like to explore substitute teaching opportunities in Florida, here are some other facts to consider:

• Number of substitute teachers in Florida: 17,760, or almost two people per 1,000 who live in the state
• Highest paying area in the state: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area
• Median substitute salary in Florida: $36,400
• Area for highest employment: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area
• Most common grade level taught: Elementary and secondary schools
• Degree needed to substitute teach in Florida: There are no state-mandated degree requirements to substitute teach in Florida, but most school districts require at least a high school diploma. It’s best to check the requirements for the county in which you want to teach, as they may vary.

Steps to become a substitute teacher in Florida

To become a substitute teacher in Florida, you need to follow a few straightforward steps. While exact requirements can vary by district, these are four general steps to get started:

Meet basic eligibility requirements

In Florida, most school districts require a high school diploma or equivalent for short-term substitute teaching. However, for long-term or more specialized substitute roles, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in any field. Additionally, you must be at least 18 years old (some districts may require you to be 21), and all potential substitutes must undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting, which is required by the state of Florida for anyone working with children.

Apply to a school district

Each school district in Florida has its own substitute teaching application process and requirements. Some districts allow you to apply online, while others may require an in-person application. You must complete the district’s application form, providing any required documents, such as your resume, proof of education and references. Some districts may also require you to attend an orientation session. Once you complete this process, some districts allow substitutes to choose their own work schedules though some may ask you to commit to a certain number of days per week.

Complete substitute teacher training, if required

Some Florida school districts require new substitutes to complete training before they begin working. This could involve an online course or in-person orientation session to help you understand district policies, teaching strategies, classroom management and any specific tools or systems used in the district. Training can range from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the district.

Earn a substitute teaching certification

If you have a high school diploma, you may be eligible to work as a substitute without a formal teaching certificate, but it may limit the types of assignments you can take. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can apply for a Florida Substitute Teaching Certificate through the Florida Department of Education (DOE). This certification may open doors for higher-paying or long-term substitute roles. The certification process is not always required to begin working as a substitute, but having it may increase your chances of securing more consistent or higher-paying work.

Do substitutes need to earn teacher certification in Florida?

The initial teacher certification process in Florida does not apply to substitute teachers in the traditional sense. Substitute teachers generally don’t need the same level of certification as full-time teachers, although the requirements can vary depending on the district and the type of assignment.

Here’s how it breaks down for substitutes:

• Short-term substitutes (day-to-day): Generally, if you’re substituting for a teacher for one day or a few days, a full teaching certification is not required. You typically just need a high school diploma or GED, though some districts may prefer or require a bachelor’s degree.
• Long-term substitutes (More than 10 days in a row in the same classroom): For longer-term substitutes, the requirements might be more stringent, and you may need to have a bachelor’s degree or even an emergency certification in some cases. Some districts may allow long-term substitutes to apply for an Emergency Teaching Certificate if they have a degree but aren’t fully certified in teaching.

The Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) for substitutes

• If you’re a substitute teacher who plans to eventually become a full-time teacher, you might need an SOE as part of the application for a temporary teaching certificate in some districts. However, most substitutes do not need an SOE to start working in Florida schools.

Understand district-specific requirements

• The requirements for substitute teachers are set by individual school districts. Some districts may have additional expectations, such as completing a district-specific training or completing background checks and fingerprinting.
• In some areas, long-term substitute teachers who wish to fill in for a teacher absent for a significant period might be required to have a Temporary Certificate or other forms of eligibility, but this doesn’t mean they need a full Florida teaching certification.

Making the move from substitute to full-time teacher

• If you’re working as a substitute and eventually decide to pursue full-time teaching, you would then need to complete the teacher certification process, including the steps mentioned earlier.

Key points about reciprocity for substitute teachers

Florida is a reciprocity state for substitute teachers, meaning that it does accept out-of-state teaching credentials or certification, though there are some specifics to keep in mind depending on your qualifications and the district where you plan to work.

Substitute teacher reciprocity

• For substitutes, Florida generally does not require full certification, but your out-of-state qualifications may still make you an attractive candidate, particularly for long-term substitute roles.
• While short-term substitutes typically don’t need a teaching certificate, those with out-of-state teaching experience or certification may be given priority or considered for long-term assignments in certain districts.

District requirements

• Each school district in Florida has some flexibility regarding substitute requirements. Some may recognize out-of-state teaching credentials, while others may not.
• Some districts may allow you to work as a substitute based on your out-of-state credentials and teaching experience, while others may require additional steps, like completing a district-specific application or undergoing training or orientation.
• Contact the specific school district where you want to work to confirm whether they will accept your out-of-state teaching qualifications and whether they have additional requirements.

Steps to work as a substitute teacher in Florida with out-of-state credentials

• Submit verification of certification: If you hold a teaching certificate from another state, you may need to submit official transcripts or proof of your certification to the Florida Department of Education or directly to the district to determine if your credentials meet Florida’s standards.
• Background check and fingerprints: Like all substitutes in Florida, you’ll need to complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Emergency or temporary certifications

• If you do not hold certification but have a degree or teaching experience, some districts may offer an Emergency Teaching Certificate or allow you to work as a substitute without full certification.
• Florida also offers Temporary Teaching Certificates for qualified individuals who are working toward full certification. If you’re in the process of becoming fully certified in Florida, you may be eligible for one of these temporary roles.

Substitute teacher salaries in Florida

Substitute teacher pay in Florida varies significantly by district, but generally, substitutes are paid on a daily rate rather than hourly. On average, daily rates range from about $80 to $150 per day, with some districts offering higher rates for long-term assignments or if you hold a bachelor’s degree or a teaching certification. Hourly rates are typically used for long-term substitutes or other specialized roles, and those rates can range from $10 to $20 per hour depending on the district, experience and education level. Additionally, some districts provide bonuses or incentives to fill hard-to-staff positions or offer pay increases for substitutes working consecutive days in the same classroom.

As for pay differences between grade levels, the salary structure for substitutes generally does not differentiate between elementary vs. secondary school teachers, for example, in Florida. However, specialized substitutes, such as those teaching in math, science, or special education, may earn higher rates due to the difficulty of finding substitutes for these subjects. In some districts, long-term substitutes or those with advanced degrees may also receive a higher daily rate. Ultimately, the district’s budget and policies will play a significant role in how much substitutes earn.

Here’s how the BLS breaks down median salaries for substitute teachers in Florida:

Job growth

Job growth for substitute teachers in Florida is expected to be steady over the next several years, driven by factors such as increasing teacher shortages, especially in high-demand subjects like math, science and special education. According to the Florida Department of Education, the state has been experiencing challenges with teacher retention, creating more opportunities for substitutes to fill in for absent teachers. As of the latest projections, substitutes are in demand across both urban and rural districts, with the highest growth in areas facing a larger shortage of full-time educators.

According to O*NET, a subsidiary of the BLS, the national job growth rate for short-term substitute teachers in Florida is projected at around 5% through 2031. While state-specific data for Florida isn’t always broken out separately, the state’s teacher shortage likely means that job growth for substitutes in Florida will mirror or even exceed national trends. In areas with large school populations or high turnover, the need for substitutes is particularly high, which may boost demand and opportunities in those regions. Overall, as schools continue to face staffing challenges, job prospects for substitutes in Florida are likely to remain positive in the foreseeable future.

Substitute teacher groups to join in Florida

Joining professional groups can help substitute teachers stay informed, get support in the field and connect with others in the profession. Here are a few you could consider joining in Florida: