Individuals who wish to serve as substitute teachers in Washington D.C. must apply for certification from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
In D.C., candidates are required to obtain at least bachelor's degrees in order to be eligible for a substitute teacher's license. There are no other educational requirements.
Want to learn how to earn a professional teaching certification? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in Washington DC.
There are no examinations candidates must pass to receive substitute teaching certifications.
Candidates seeking substitute teacher licensure in D.C. do not need to meet any experience requirements.
Candidates who have obtained bachelor's degrees may undergo the application process to become a certified substitute teacher in D.C.
The first step is to print and complete Form F-6. Applicants must complete all background information and include the following items in their application packets:
Candidates should submit their completed packets to the OSSE at:
All applicants for teacher certification in D.C. must complete background checking and fingerprinting to be eligible for certification. Current employees of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) may obtain fingerprints from the DCPS Office of Human Resources at:
Out of state applicants must obtain background checks from the FBI. Candidates have the option of submitting a request directly from the FBI or contacted an FBI-approved Channeler.
For more information on earning certification as a substitute teacher in D.C., contact the certification office at educator.licensurehelp@dc.gov or call at 202-741-5881.