Hawaii Substitute Teaching License
The Hawaii Department of Education regulates substitute teachers in the state.
Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Hawaii.
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Education Requirements
There are differing requirements for substitute teachers based upon your educational background:
- Class I – If you have no bachelor’s degree –you must complete a 30-hour substitute teacher course, online. You will be issued a certificate that is valid for five years, at which time you must complete a re-certification course, which makes your substitute teaching certificate valid for another five years.
- Class II – If you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university but no teacher training – you must complete a 30-hour substitute teacher course, online or in the classroom. You will be issued a certificate that is valid for five years, at which time you must complete a re-certification course, which makes your substitute teaching certificate valid for another five years.
- Class III – If you are a recent college graduate, a licensed Hawaii teacher, or a licensed out-of state teacher – you are exempt from taking the 30-hour substitute teacher course for five years. After that time, you must take the re-certification course, which makes your substitute teaching certificate valid for another five years.
- Class III – If you are a retired teacher – you are exempt from taking the 30-hour substitute teacher course for 10 years from the date of your retirement. After that time, you must take the re-certification course, which makes your substitute teaching certificate valid for another five years.
Experience
Depending upon the Class into which you fall (see above), no experience may be required beyond the 30-hour substitute teacher course you must take in order to work as a substitute in Hawaii. Your application may be considered more favorably if you have paid or volunteer experience working with youth in grades K-12, such as in a coaching position, teaching or tutoring.
Criminal History Background Check
All applicants for substitute teaching positions must complete an Employee Background Check (EBC). This involves fingerprinting at your local school district’s office after your application and employment documents have been received. You may not begin work as a substitute teacher until your EBC is completed and you are cleared. This process may take from two days to two months.
Additional Information
Class I substitute teachers may only work in hard–to-fill, hard-to-staff areas of Hawaii. These include parts of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and specialized support positions like Hawaiian Language Immersion or Career and Technical Education.
In addition to the substitute teacher course and EBC, all applicants for substitute teaching positions must view a blood borne pathogen training video at the district office, as well as take a tuberculosis (TB) test and receive clearance.
Current (2009) per diem pay rates for substitute teachers in Hawaii are as follows:
- Class III – $159
- Class II – $147.10
- Class I – $135.20
If you are interested in substitute teaching, arrange an interview with a school administrator at the school in which you would like to work. A listing of all schools in Hawaii and their corresponding administrators may be found here. After the interview, the administrator will give you a note authorizing you to take the substitute teacher course. You must complete all necessary requirements prior to submitting your application to become a substitute teacher to the Hawaii Department of Education. The school administrator will supply you with the application form.
Contact Information
Contact your local public school system or the Hawaii Department of Education for more information about substitute teaching.
