How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Delaware
To become a substitute teacher in Delaware, you don’t need a statewide license. Each public school district sets its own hiring rules, so requirements range from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree or an active Delaware teaching license, depending on the district. Every applicant needs a state child abuse clearance and a criminal background check through the Delaware State Bureau of Identification before working with students.
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If you want to become a substitute teacher in Delaware, know this first: the state leaves qualifications to its 19 public school districts rather than setting one statewide standard. That means the diploma or degree you need, the pay you’ll earn, and how quickly you can start all depend on which district you apply to. What every district shares is the same background-check and child abuse clearance process before you can step into a classroom.
Use the links below to jump to education requirements, health and background checks, or the application process.
- Education requirements by district
- Health screening and background check requirements
- How to apply for a substitute teaching position
- What happens after you’re approved
Education Requirements by District
Some Delaware school districts only require that substitutes have a high school diploma, while others mandate a bachelor’s degree or even a Delaware teaching license and area-specific certificate. Check with the Delaware public school in which you are interested in substitute teaching for their exact requirements. Regardless of district, you will need copies of your high school diploma, any college transcripts you may have, and any college degrees you hold when you apply. If you have a current Delaware teaching license and certificate, you’ll be required to produce a copy of it.
Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Delaware.
Experience Requirements
Experiential requirements for substitute teachers also vary from one district to the next. Some districts prefer applicants with classroom experience or experience working with children, while others require none. Contact the school district in which you are interested in substituting to find out their specific policies, and bring an updated resume listing any relevant experience.
Health Screening and Background Check Requirements
Before being permitted to work with children in Delaware, you must have current state child abuse clearance and pass a criminal history and background check. Because it takes several weeks for these clearances to be completed, start the process as early as possible.
Child Abuse Clearance
To get your Delaware Child Abuse Clearance, you can request it directly through the Delaware Child Protection Registry Portal at childprotectionregistry.delaware.gov, which DSCYF now uses as the primary intake method. You can also complete the Delaware Child Protection Registry Request Form and mail it to OCCL, Criminal History Unit, Concord Plaza, Hagley Building, 3411 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810, or fax it to (302) 633-5191.
Criminal Background Check
You must also visit the Delaware State Bureau of Identification, located at a county office of the Delaware State Police, to certify your Delaware criminal history. Bring your driver’s license, school ID card, or state ID card and ask for a state and federal background check. The fee is currently $69, payable to Delaware State Police. For more information, call (302) 739-5871.
| County Office | Location | Appointment Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Kent County | Dover | No, walk-in basis |
| Sussex County | Georgetown | Yes |
| New Castle County | Bear | Yes |
Health Screening
Many Delaware districts also require a TB test and a physical exam before you can start substitute teaching, with documentation signed by a healthcare provider. Some districts add a pre-employment drug screening as part of hiring. Confirm the exact health screening requirements with the district where you’re applying, since they can differ from one district to the next.
How to Apply for a Substitute Teaching Position
Applications for substitute teaching in Delaware go through the individual school district rather than a single statewide system. At the time of application, you may be able to specify which grade levels or subjects you’re willing to teach. Districts often give preference to applicants who already have substitute experience within that district.
What Happens After You’re Approved
Once a district clears your background check and confirms your education requirements, you’re typically added to a substitute pool and contacted as openings come up. Some districts run a brief orientation covering lesson plans, classroom management, and safety procedures before your first assignment. Completing this orientation can also count toward hours needed for a standard teaching certificate down the road, if you decide to pursue full licensure later.
Pay by Classification
Delaware sets substitute pay through a statewide classification schedule under state law, so the rate depends on your credentials rather than which district hires you. As of January 1, 2025, Class A substitutes, those who hold or are eligible to hold a valid Delaware or out-of-state educator license, are paid $179 per day. Class B substitutes, who hold a bachelor’s degree or are enrolled with at least 60 credits toward Delaware licensure, are paid $143 per day. Class C substitutes, who meet neither classification, are paid $113 per day. How often you’re called in for assignments still depends on demand in your subject area and grade level, plus how many other substitutes are already in that district’s pool. If you’re weighing substitute work against a full-time role, compare it with Delaware teaching salaries and benefits for licensed teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Delaware require a substitute teaching license?
No. The Delaware Department of Education doesn’t issue a statewide substitute teaching permit or license. Instead, each of the state’s public school districts sets its own hiring requirements for substitutes.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree to substitute teach in Delaware?
It depends on the district. Some districts only require a high school diploma, while others require a bachelor’s degree or an active Delaware teaching license, especially for higher-paying assignments.
How long does the background check process take in Delaware?
Plan for several weeks. Both the Child Abuse Clearance through DSCYF and the criminal background check through the Delaware State Bureau of Identification take time to process, so start both as soon as you decide to apply.
Do I need a TB test to substitute teach in Delaware?
Many districts require a TB test and physical exam as a condition of hire, with results documented by a healthcare provider. Requirements can vary by district, so confirm directly with the school system where you’re applying.
Can substitute teaching lead to a full teaching certificate in Delaware?
Yes. Experience gained as an approved substitute can count toward requirements for a Delaware Standard Certificate in some cases, and district orientation training can overlap with certification coursework. Visit the Delaware teaching certification overview to learn how substitute experience fits into a certification pathway.
How do I apply to substitute teach in a Delaware district?
Contact the school district’s human resources office directly to get its substitute application and confirm which documents it requires. Most districts ask for a completed application, your diploma or degree paperwork, and proof that you’ve started your background check and child abuse clearance process.
- No statewide substitute license exists — Delaware leaves substitute teacher qualifications entirely up to each of its public school districts.
- Education requirements range widely — some districts accept a high school diploma, while others require a bachelor’s degree or an active teaching license.
- Background checks take real time — the Child Abuse Clearance and State Bureau of Identification background check can each take several weeks to process.
- Health screening is common — many districts require a TB test and physical exam before you can start.
- Pay follows a state classification, not just the district — Delaware law sets substitute pay by credential tier (Class A, B, or C), currently ranging from $113 to $179 per day.
Contact schools offering Delaware teaching certification programs to see how substitute experience can count toward a full teaching license.
