Louisiana Substitute Teaching License
The Louisiana Department of Education does not issue substitute teaching permits or certifications, instead leaving the hiring decisions for substitute teachers up to each individual school district in the state.
Education Requirements
You must have at least a high school diploma to substitute teach in Louisiana. If you do not have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree (or are not currently working towards one), you may need to complete standardized examinations to demonstrate that you have at least a 10th grade proficiency in reading and mathematics.
Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Louisiana.
Experience
No experience is required to substitute teach in Louisiana. However, the district to which you apply may prefer to hire applicants who have experience working with children to those with no experience.
Criminal History Background Check
All teachers, regardless of their status, must pass national and state criminal background checks prior to being allowed to work with children in Louisiana. This is conducted at the time you are hired as a substitute teacher. You will have to supply your fingerprints for the federal background check. Contact your local school district for more information on the process.
Additional Information
Each school has different policies, with some allowing substitute teachers to request placement in certain grade levels or content areas. Contact your local school district for their policies.
Contact Information
Contact the school board of the local Louisiana school district in which you would like to substitute to request an application packet. A listing of school district personnel administrators throughout Louisiana may be found here.
To apply as a substitute school teacher for the Special School District (SSD), the statewide school district that employs substitute teachers, contact the Department of Education at 1-877-453-2721.
