Hawaii Substitute Teaching License
Hawaii requires most substitute teachers to complete an approved certification program, unless they’re already a licensed teacher or completed a state-approved teacher education program. Requirements depend on your certificate class: Class I, II, or III. Certificates last five years and require a background check, fingerprinting, and a TB test before you can start.
Sponsored School(s)
The Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) regulates every substitute teacher in the state, and it sorts applicants into three certificate classes based on their education and teaching background. Whether you’re a recent college graduate, a career-changer with no classroom experience, or a licensed teacher moving to Hawaii, the class you fall into determines your course requirements, your certificate’s exemptions, and how soon you can start working. If substitute work is a step toward a full teaching license, alternative teaching certification in Hawaii is worth exploring alongside it.
Use the links below to jump to certification classes, the application steps, background check requirements, pay, and renewal information.
- See which substitute certification class you qualify for
- Apply for a Hawaii substitute teaching certificate
- Build experience and get placed at a school
- Complete your background check and health clearance
- Check current substitute pay rates
- See how substitute assignments get scheduled
- Renew your substitute teaching certificate
- Contact the Hawaii Department of Education
Hawaii Substitute Teacher Certification Classes
HIDOE sorts substitute applicants into three classes based on education and teacher training. Your class determines whether you need a certification program and what daily rate you’re paid.
- Class I – You don’t hold a bachelor’s degree but meet HIDOE’s other employment requirements. You’ll need a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, plus completion of a certification program (roughly a 30-hour course).
- Class II – You have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university but haven’t completed teacher training. You’ll need to complete a certification program and pass it with a score of 80% or higher.
- Class III – You’re a Hawaii-licensed teacher, or a teacher (including current or retired HIDOE teachers) who completed a State-Approved Teacher Education Program (SATEP). You’re exempt from the certification program requirement. If you’re licensed in another state, check Hawaii’s teacher reciprocity requirements to see how to become Hawaii-licensed.
All three classes carry a substitute teacher certification valid for five years, and it must be renewed to continue working. HIDOE accepts several approved certification program providers, including the Department’s Community School for Adults, the Substitute Teaching Division’s SubSkills course, Master Teacher’s online training, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Education.
How to Apply for a Hawaii Substitute Teaching Certificate
Hawaii runs substitute hiring through a centralized online application, not a school-by-school walk-in process. Here’s the current process from start to finish.
Step 1: Submit an Online Application
Apply directly through HIDOE’s online employment portal. Applications are accepted each school year from July 1 to March 15, and you’ll need to submit official transcripts along with your application. Any application still incomplete by April 15 is automatically withdrawn.
Step 2: Wait for School Review and a Hiring Decision
Priority schools review submitted applications and may reach out for an interview or additional information. All application correspondence comes by email, so check your email regularly. Once a school makes a hiring decision, HIDOE sends instructions for your required pre-hire documents.
Step 3: Complete Your Certification Program (If Required)
Unless you qualify for a Class III exemption, complete an approved certification program, such as the Substitute Teaching Division’s SubSkills course or a program through the Department’s Community School for Adults.
Step 4: Complete Fingerprinting and Background Clearance
Fingerprinting and background checks happen at the school district office. You can’t begin working until this clearance comes through and you receive notification to start.
Experience and Getting Placed at a School
HIDOE doesn’t require prior classroom experience to apply. That said, your application stands out with paid or volunteer experience working with K-12 students, such as coaching, tutoring, or after-school program work. Since priority schools review applications individually, relevant experience can help you get noticed and contacted for an interview.
Background Check and Health Clearance Requirements
Every substitute teaching applicant completes fingerprinting and a background check at the school district office and can’t begin working until clearance comes through. You’ll also need a valid tuberculosis (TB) test clearance certificate dated within one year of your application date.
If you earned your degree outside the U.S., HIDOE doesn’t evaluate foreign credentials directly. You’ll need an evaluation from a recognized credential evaluation service before your transcripts can be accepted.
Hawaii Substitute Teacher Pay
HIDOE pays substitute teachers a daily rate based on certificate class. Effective July 1, 2026, daily rates are $170.75 for Class I, $185.79 for Class II, and $200.80 for Class III, according to HIDOE’s substitute teacher hiring page. Substitutes aren’t eligible for the Employees’ Retirement System, though they can participate in a 403(b) Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plan, and wages are subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Getting Called for Substitute Assignments
Once you’re cleared to work, schools call substitutes through the district’s automated scheduling system for day-to-day assignments. How often you’re called depends on the schools you’ve applied to and their current needs, and can vary by island and by school.
Renewing Your Substitute Teaching Certificate
Every substitute certificate class in Hawaii runs on a standard five-year cycle, after which a recertification course brings your certificate current for another five years. Mark your certificate’s expiration date early, since missing the renewal window means falling out of active status.
If you’re working toward a full teaching license instead of substitute work, look into teaching certification programs in Hawaii to compare paths and requirements.
Contact Information
Contact HIDOE directly or visit the Become a Substitute Teacher page for the most current substitute teaching information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a teaching degree to substitute teach in Hawaii?
No. Class I substitutes only need a high school diploma or equivalent plus a certification program. A bachelor’s degree moves you into Class II, and a Hawaii teaching license or completed SATEP program qualifies you for Class III.
How long does a Hawaii substitute teaching certificate last?
Five years for all three classes. You’ll need to complete a re-certification course before it expires to keep working.
Can licensed or SATEP-trained teachers skip the certification program?
Yes. Class III covers Hawaii-licensed teachers and teachers, including current or retired HIDOE teachers, who completed a State-Approved Teacher Education Program. Both are exempt from the standard certification program required of Class I and Class II applicants.
How much do substitute teachers get paid in Hawaii?
Effective July 1, 2026, HIDOE pays $170.75 a day for Class I, $185.79 for Class II, and $200.80 for Class III, according to HIDOE’s substitute teacher hiring page.
When does Hawaii accept substitute teacher applications?
HIDOE accepts applications each school year from July 1 to March 15. Applications left incomplete by April 15 are automatically withdrawn, so submit your transcripts and documents early.
- Three certificate classes cover every applicant. Class I, II, and III sort substitutes by education level and teacher training, each with its own daily pay rate.
- Applications run on a set annual window. HIDOE accepts them from July 1 to March 15, and incomplete applications are withdrawn by April 15.
- Certificates last for five years. A recertification course keeps your certificate active for another five-year term.
- Background clearance takes time. Fingerprinting, a background check, and a TB test dated within the past year all have to be cleared before you can start.
- Pay scales with certificate class. As of July 1, 2026, daily rates run from $170.75 for Class I up to $200.80 for Class III.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Hawaii, including application requirements and licensing timelines, if you’re ready to move beyond substitute teaching.
