Oklahoma Substitute Teaching License
Oklahoma doesn’t require a special state license to substitute teach, but your certification status sets the rules. Non-certified substitutes, or those with an expired certificate, can work up to 145 days per school year statewide. Certified teachers face no day limit. All applicants must be at least 18, pass a background check, and meet their district’s requirements.
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Substitute teachers in Oklahoma may be certified (that is, hold a valid state teaching certificate) or non-certified (hold a degree but no certificate). Your certification status determines what classes you can teach and the length of time you may substitute teach.
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Oklahoma Substitute Teacher Requirements
Age and Education Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to substitute teach in Oklahoma. Oklahoma doesn’t set a statewide education requirement for substitutes, so each district determines its own minimum qualifications, and many districts require or prefer a bachelor’s degree, particularly for the higher day limits available to more qualified candidates. Some districts also require mandatory substitute teacher training for all substitutes each year.
Days You May Substitute
If you’re a non-certified substitute or hold an expired Oklahoma teaching certificate, you can’t work as a substitute teacher for more than 145 days each school year statewide. If you hold a valid teaching certificate, you can substitute teach for unlimited days during the school year.
School districts set their own limits on how long a non-certified substitute may remain in the same assignment. Many districts, including Oklahoma City Public Schools, cap this at 20 days unless you’re certified in that subject area, but check with your specific district since this isn’t a statewide rule.
Experience
Most districts don’t require experience for substitute teachers, but some may prefer to hire those with some experience working with children.
Criminal History Background Check
All substitute teacher applicants must complete fingerprint-based state and federal criminal history background checks, processed through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. The school district where you apply for a substitute teaching position will provide you with more information on this process. Applicants are typically responsible for fingerprinting and background-check fees, though practices vary by district.
How to Apply
Oklahoma doesn’t run a statewide application process for substitute teachers. Instead, you apply directly through the school district where you want to work. Most districts ask for a completed application, proof of your education, and references, then move you into background check processing once they’ve reviewed your file. Districts that require substitute training typically schedule it before you’re cleared to accept assignments. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to move beyond substitute work, you can also pursue alternative teaching certification in Oklahoma without returning to a traditional program.
Contact Information
For more information on substitute teaching, contact your local Oklahoma school district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a teaching certificate to substitute teach in Oklahoma?
No. Oklahoma doesn’t issue a separate substitute teaching license, and you can work as a non-certified substitute with a bachelor’s degree. Holding a valid teaching certificate does give you more flexibility, since certified substitutes face no cap on the number of days they can work in a school year.
How many days can I substitute teach in Oklahoma without a certificate?
Non-certified substitutes and those with an expired certificate are capped at 145 days per school year statewide. Your district also sets its own limit on how long you can stay in the same classroom assignment, often around 20 days unless you’re certified in that subject area, so check your district’s specific policy.
What are the minimum requirements to become a substitute teacher in Oklahoma?
You need to be at least 18 years old and pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. Oklahoma doesn’t set a statewide education requirement, so the rest depends on your district: many require or prefer a bachelor’s degree, and some add their own substitute training requirements.
How do I apply to become a substitute teacher in Oklahoma?
Apply directly through the school district where you want to work, since Oklahoma doesn’t centralize substitute applications at the state level. Expect to submit an application, proof of your education, and references, then complete a background check before you’re cleared for assignments.
- No standalone state license required — Oklahoma doesn’t issue a substitute-specific certificate. Requirements come from individual districts.
- Day limits depend on certification status — Non-certified substitutes and expired-certificate holders cap out at 145 days per year statewide, while certified teachers face no limit.
- Background checks are mandatory — Every applicant goes through an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and FBI check before starting.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Oklahoma, including paths for substitute teachers ready to pursue full teacher certification requirements and any required licensing exams.
