Virginia Substitute Teacher Requirements
Virginia does not require a teaching license to substitute teach. Substitutes must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, and have either two years of full-time postsecondary education or two years of experience working with children. Local districts can and do set higher bars, including background checks and additional training.
The Virginia Department of Education leaves substitute teaching largely in the hands of local school districts, but the state does set a floor. Virginia’s administrative code spells out who qualifies, and individual districts add their own requirements on top of it, from background checks to minimum credit hours.
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Use the links below to jump to eligibility rules, background check and training requirements, how districts differ, and how to apply.
- Basic eligibility requirements
- Background checks and required training
- How requirements vary by district
- How to apply to substitute teach
- How long you can substitute in one classroom
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Virginia’s administrative code (8VAC20-671-320) sets the minimum bar for substitute teachers statewide. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. You also need either two years of full-time postsecondary education or two years of work experience with children, which districts typically verify through reference checks rather than transcripts alone.
Districts interpret “experience working with children” broadly. Coaching, tutoring, childcare work, camp counseling, and paraprofessional roles all typically count, and most districts verify it through the references listed on your application rather than requiring formal documentation.
None of this amounts to a teaching license or certification. Substitute teaching in Virginia is an unlicensed role by design, which is part of why the requirements stay this low compared to a full teaching credential. If you’re weighing whether to go further, here’s what it takes to become a certified teacher in Virginia.
Background Checks and Required Training
School divisions require criminal background checks, and many also require fingerprinting and a Central Registry child abuse check before substitutes begin work. This is a standard part of the hiring process before a division clears anyone to enter a classroom.
Virginia regulations require orientation for substitutes filling teacher vacancies, and many districts provide orientation for all substitute teachers, covering classroom management basics, safety protocols, and grade-specific expectations. Some districts require online mandated reporter or child abuse recognition training before substitutes begin work. Substitutes who already hold a teaching license, or who recently completed a classroom management course or student teaching, are often exempt from repeating this training.
How Requirements Vary by District
The state sets the floor, but individual districts routinely raise it. As of this writing, a few examples show how much the bar can shift depending on where you apply, though local policies like these can change, so always confirm current requirements with the district directly:
Virginia Beach City Public Schools requires substitutes to have completed at least 30 semester credit hours from an accredited institution, on top of its child abuse and neglect recognition training.
Frederick County Public Schools also sets a 30-credit-hour minimum, but waives its substitute training course for retired teachers, anyone who has held a teaching license in good standing, or candidates who completed a classroom management course or student teaching within the past five years.
Henry County Public Schools accepts a high school diploma alone but requires every applicant to clear a criminal background check, including fingerprints, along with a Central Registry check.
Because the gap between state minimums and district requirements can be significant, check the specific district’s job posting or human resources page before assuming the state floor is all you need.
How to Apply to Substitute Teach in Virginia
Substitute teaching positions are filled at the district level, not through the state. Start by contacting the human resources office at the school district where you want to work. They can tell you about current openings, the district’s specific credit-hour or training requirements, and which forms they need.
Many districts ask applicants to submit unofficial transcripts and references, often with at least one from a current or former supervisor, along with the employment application. Districts then schedule fingerprinting and process your background check before clearing you to work. Some districts may also require a TB screening, physical exam, or other pre-employment health documentation. This process commonly takes several weeks, so it’s worth starting well before you need to be available for assignments.
Pay rates for substitutes are set independently by each district rather than by the state, and they often scale with your education level, so a candidate with a bachelor’s degree may be offered a higher daily rate than one with only a high school diploma. Check the specific district’s job posting for its current pay scale, or see how Virginia teacher salaries compare for context on full-time pay in the state.
How Long You Can Substitute in One Classroom
State code limits substitutes to 90 consecutive teaching days in the same vacant teaching position during a single school year. Once that limit is reached, the district has to either hire a permanent teacher or bring in someone else to cover the position. This cap doesn’t restrict how many different assignments or classrooms a substitute can work across a school year, only how long they can hold down one specific vacancy.
For questions specific to your situation, the Virginia Department of Education’s licensure office can be reached at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a teaching license to substitute teach in Virginia?
No. Virginia does not require a teaching license or certification to substitute teach. You need to meet the state’s minimum eligibility requirements and whatever additional standards your district sets.
How old do you have to be to substitute teach in Virginia?
You must be at least 18 years old, per Virginia’s administrative code governing substitute teachers.
Can you substitute teach in Virginia with only a high school diploma?
The state allows it, provided you also have two years of full-time postsecondary education or two years of experience working with children. Some districts set a higher bar, such as a minimum number of college credit hours, regardless of the state minimum.
Do Virginia substitute teachers need a background check?
Yes. Districts require a criminal background check, and most also require fingerprinting and a check against Virginia’s Central Registry for child abuse and neglect before clearing a substitute to work.
How many days can a substitute teacher work in the same Virginia classroom?
Up to 90 consecutive teaching days in the same vacant teaching position during one school year, per state code.
- No license required — Virginia treats substitute teaching as an unlicensed role governed by state administrative code, not the licensure system used for full-time teachers.
- The state sets a floor, not a ceiling — age 18, a diploma or GED, and two years of postsecondary education or child-related experience are the minimum, and many districts require more.
- Background checks are standard — expect fingerprinting and a Central Registry check as part of every district’s hiring process.
- Districts hire, not the state — applications, transcripts, and references go directly to the local district’s human resources office.
- 90-day cap per vacancy — a substitute can hold one specific vacant position for up to 90 consecutive teaching days in a school year.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Virginia if you’re ready to move from substitute teaching into a full teaching license.
