How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Maryland
Maryland doesn’t require substitute teachers to hold a teaching license or pass a state exam. Each of the state’s 24 local school systems sets its own minimum requirements, typically a high school diploma or some college coursework, plus a criminal background check with fingerprinting. Pay and specific qualifications vary widely by county.
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A teacher calls out sick in Anne Arundel County, and by 7 a.m. a substitute has to be ready to walk into that classroom and keep the day moving. Maryland makes that entry point wide open: no state license, no certification exam, just a background check and whatever minimum your local school system sets. Here’s what each of Maryland’s 24 school systems actually requires, what they pay, and how substitute experience can fit into a path toward full teacher certification.
Use the links below to jump to Maryland’s substitute teaching requirements, county-by-county differences, background check details, and how to apply.
- Do you need a license to substitute teach in Maryland?
- How requirements and pay differ by county
- Does substitute teaching count toward certification?
- Background check and fingerprinting requirements
- Application deadlines
- How to contact your school system
Do You Need a License to Substitute Teach in Maryland?
The Maryland State Department of Education does not require a license or permit for substitute teachers. That decision is left entirely to the state’s 24 public school systems, and each one sets its own bar. Links to all 24 Maryland public school systems may be found here. Apply through the hiring process used by the school system you want to work for, typically via its online employment portal.
Most districts want an official high school transcript or proof of a high school diploma or GED at minimum. Some require you to hold a college degree, or at least be actively enrolled in one, and will ask for official college transcripts if so. Most districts require applicants to be at least 18; individual districts may establish higher minimum ages for certain assignments.
Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Maryland.
How Requirements and Pay Differ by County
“Varies by district” undersells how different Maryland’s substitute teaching landscape actually looks county to county. Some systems will take a high school graduate with no further coursework; others expect 60 college credits or a bachelor’s degree before they’ll add you to the pool. Pay follows the same pattern, set locally rather than by the state.
| County School System | Minimum Requirement | Daily Pay Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County | Application, professional reference, and background check; degree not required for the base tier | $110 full day (associate’s degree or no degree), $125 full day (bachelor’s degree or higher); teacher assistant subs $100 full day |
| Montgomery County | Associate’s degree or 60 college credits; a valid Maryland teaching certificate qualifies for a higher pay tier | Base tier and certificate-holder tier, with a further increase for long-term assignments |
| Harford County | Minimum 60 college credits required for long-term assignments | $194.10 per day for long-term assignments (15+ consecutive days in the same position) |
| Prince George’s County | Minimum 60 college credits plus 6–12 months of experience working with children | Not published. Confirm the current rate with PGCPS Human Resources. |
| Howard County | Set by HCPSS application requirements | Rate schedule set by HCPSS; confirm current figures with HR before applying |
Depending on your school system, you may get to choose the school and grade levels you’d like to substitute in, or you may be assigned wherever coverage is needed that day. Long-term substitute positions, where you cover the same classroom for weeks at a stretch, typically pay a meaningfully higher rate than day-to-day assignments.
Does Substitute Teaching Count Toward a Teaching Certificate?
Day-to-day substitute teaching does not count as credit toward a Maryland teacher certificate. Some educator preparation pathways or local programs may recognize certain long-term substitute experience, but substitute teaching does not automatically count toward teacher certification statewide. Some school systems may allow administrators to provide recommendations for substitute teachers applying for full-time positions.
Background Check and Fingerprinting Requirements
Every prospective Maryland substitute teacher must pass a criminal history background check. Your school system will provide an Application for Criminal History Records Check from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, along with a Disclosure Statement where you must report any criminal history.
You’ll complete fingerprinting through an approved Maryland fingerprinting location. The state’s Criminal Justice Information System charges a $20 fingerprint service fee, and private fingerprinting providers may add their own service charge on top of that, so total cost varies by location. Your application processes through the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, with results forwarded to MSDE.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines for substitute teachers vary from district to district. Consult your local school system to obtain their specific guidelines and submission windows.
How to Contact Your School System
Contact your local school system’s human resources or substitute staffing office for the most current application, requirements, and pay information for becoming a substitute teacher in Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to substitute teach in Maryland?
Not in every county. Some Maryland school systems will accept a high school diploma or GED, while others require 60 college credits or a bachelor’s degree, especially for long-term assignments. Check your target district’s specific requirements before applying, since the bar shifts noticeably from one county to the next.
How much do substitute teachers get paid in Maryland?
Pay is set locally, not by the state, so it varies by county and by your education level. Rates typically run higher for degree holders and for long-term assignments than for day-to-day, no-degree substitute work.
Can substitute teaching count toward a Maryland teaching certificate?
Day-to-day subbing doesn’t automatically count. Some educator preparation pathways or local programs may recognize certain long-term substitute experience, but there’s no universal statewide rule that credits long-term substituting toward a Maryland teaching certificate, so check with the specific certification program you’re considering.
How long does the Maryland substitute teacher background check take?
Processing time depends on your school system and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ current caseload. Fingerprinting happens first, at an approved location, and results are then forwarded to MSDE as part of your district’s application process.
Where do I apply to become a substitute teacher in Maryland?
Directly with the school system where you want to work. Maryland has 24 public school systems, each with its own application, so start with the county’s human resources or substitute staffing office rather than a state agency.
- No state license required. Maryland doesn’t require a teaching license or certification exam to substitute teach; MSDE leaves minimum requirements to each of the state’s 24 school systems.
- Requirements and pay vary sharply by county. Some districts accept a high school diploma, others require 60 college credits or a bachelor’s degree, and daily pay follows the same local pattern.
- A background check is mandatory everywhere. Fingerprinting through an approved provider and a Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services review apply statewide, regardless of district.
- Substitute experience doesn’t automatically count toward certification. Some educator preparation pathways or local programs may recognize long-term substitute experience, but there’s no universal statewide rule crediting it toward a Maryland teaching certificate.
- Applications go through each district, not the state. Apply directly to the county school system’s HR or substitute staffing office.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Maryland, including alternative routes for substitutes ready to move into a full-time classroom role.
