North Dakota Substitute Teaching License
North Dakota substitute teachers need an Interim Substitute License from the Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB), which requires 48 semester hours of college coursework or an approved Frontline training course, plus a cleared background check. The license costs $95 plus a $30 application fee, is valid two years, and expires on your birthday.
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North Dakota doesn’t require substitute teachers to hold a full teaching degree. The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) issues an Interim Substitute License to anyone who has completed at least 48 semester hours of college coursework, cleared a background check, and paid the required fees. This license lets you substitute teach any K-12 grade level in every North Dakota public school. If you’re weighing a full teaching license instead, our North Dakota teaching certification guide covers the traditional and alternative paths.
North Dakota Substitute License Requirements
Education Requirements
The ESPB’s Interim Substitute License requires an official transcript documenting at least 48 semester hours of college coursework, whether that coursework is in education, a content area, or an unrelated field. If you have fewer than 48 credit hours, ESPB has partnered with Frontline Education to offer an approved online substitute teacher training course. The training runs about 20 hours and costs $99. Applicants who complete it must also submit a copy of their high school diploma or GED certificate (or an official transcript, if they hold any college credit) along with their Frontline completion certificate.
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Background Check Requirements
Every applicant for an Interim Substitute License must clear a fingerprint-based background check processed by ESPB. You’ll print and complete the fingerprinting forms, then return them to ESPB’s office in Bismarck. ESPB forwards your information to the FBI and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and results typically take about three weeks to come back. Your Interim Substitute License won’t be issued until that check clears.
How to Apply for a North Dakota Substitute License
Application Steps
Submit your application through the ND Teach online licensing portal. Along with the application, you’ll need your official transcript showing 48 semester hours of coursework (or your Frontline training completion certificate and diploma/transcript, if you took that route) and your completed fingerprint background check packet.
License Fees and Validity
The Interim Substitute License costs $95 and is valid for two years, plus a one-time, non-refundable $30 application fee. The license expires on your birthday rather than on a fixed renewal date, so your actual coverage period depends on when in the two-year cycle you apply.
Contact Information
For questions about substitute licensure in North Dakota, contact the ESPB at 701-328-9641 or [email protected]. The office is located at 2718 Gateway Avenue, Suite 204, Bismarck, ND 58503.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bachelor’s degree to substitute teach in North Dakota?
No. North Dakota only requires 48 semester hours of college coursework for an Interim Substitute License. If you have fewer credits, you can qualify instead by completing ESPB’s approved Frontline online training course.
How much does a North Dakota substitute teaching license cost?
The license itself costs $95 and covers a two-year term. There’s also a separate, one-time $30 application fee due when you apply.
How long is a North Dakota substitute license valid?
It’s valid for two years from issuance, but it expires on your birthday rather than on the exact two-year anniversary of your application date.
Does North Dakota require a background check for substitute teachers?
Yes. ESPB processes a fingerprint-based background check through the FBI and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation before issuing any Interim Substitute License. Processing typically takes about three weeks.
- No bachelor’s degree required — 48 semester hours of college coursework qualifies you, or you can complete ESPB’s approved Frontline training course if you have fewer credits.
- Two fees apply — a $95 license fee covering two years, plus a separate one-time $30 application fee.
- The license expires on your birthday — not on a fixed two-year anniversary date.
- Apply through the ND Teach portal — the state’s online licensing system handles Interim Substitute License applications.
- A cleared background check is mandatory — ESPB routes fingerprints through the FBI and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation before issuing any license.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in North Dakota, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
