Washington DC Substitute Teaching License

Individuals who wish to serve as substitute teachers in Washington D.C. must apply for certification from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).

Education Requirements

In D.C., candidates are required to obtain at least bachelor’s degrees in order to be eligible for a substitute teacher’s license. There are no other educational requirements.

Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Washington DC.

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Liberty University

Featured Program: Undergraduate Certificate in Preschool, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Doctor of Education

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Grand Canyon University

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Arizona State University - Online

Featured Program: The online master’s in early childhood education with certification equips current or aspiring educators with the coursework, skills and practical experience needed to become a certified teacher working in a public school with children pre-K and K-3.

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University of West Alabama

Featured Program: Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.

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Campbellsville University

Featured Program: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (P-5); Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education - Initial Certification; Bachelor or Science in Learning & Behavior Disorders (P-12) & Elementary Education (P-5) Initial Certification

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Walden University

Featured Program: Earn a Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary and Special Education - leads to a licensure

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Examinations

There are no examinations candidates must pass to receive substitute teaching certifications.

Experience

Candidates seeking substitute teacher licensure in D.C. do not need to meet any experience requirements.

Document and Application Requirements

Candidates who have obtained bachelor’s degrees may undergo the application process to become a certified substitute teacher in D.C.

The first step is to print and complete Form F-6. Applicants must complete all background information and include the following items in their application packets:

• Official transcripts sealed in a university or college envelope
• An official copy of your arrest and criminal history record
• An application fee of $30 in the form of cashier’s check or money order payable to “DC Treasurer.”

Candidates should submit their completed packets to the OSSE at:

Criminal History Background Check

All applicants for teacher certification in D.C. must complete background checking and fingerprinting to be eligible for certification. Current employees of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) may obtain fingerprints from the DCPS Office of Human Resources at:

Out of state applicants must obtain background checks from the FBI. Candidates have the option of submitting a request directly from the FBI or contacted an FBI-approved Channeler.

Contact Information

For more information on earning certification as a substitute teacher in D.C., contact the certification office at [email protected] or call at 202-741-5881.