How can I be a substitute teacher in AZ?

To become a substitute teacher in Arizona, you must obtain an Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Substitute Certificate, which requires a Bachelor’s degree, a valid IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, and a $60 fee. The certificate is valid for six years and permits working up to 120 days in the same school year.

What are the requirements to be a substitute teacher in Arizona?

Certificate Information

• Application: A completed Application for Certification.
• Fee: The fee for this certificate is $60. ...
• IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts documenting a Bachelor's degree or higher.

How much do substitute teachers get paid in Arizona?

Substitute teachers with a valid Arizona teaching certificate will be paid a daily rate of $170 per day. Assignments that are 4.5 hours and less will be considered a half day, and will be paid at half the daily rate.

How long does it take to get a substitute teaching certificate in AZ?

3- Obtain a Substitute Teaching License

Processing of the fingerprint clearance card takes about six to eight weeks. The State of Arizona doesn't have specific tests for substitute teachers. Once you receive your fingerprint clearance card, you can apply for the Arizona Substitute Certificate.

What are the requirements of being a sub?

Substitute requirements vary by state and district but generally involve at least a high school diploma/GED (often a bachelor's degree is preferred/required), background checks (fingerprinting), application/fees, official transcripts, and sometimes a TB test, with specific state permits or authorizations needed, often focusing on basic eligibility and eligibility for "emergency" permits. Requirements can differ for teaching vs. non-teaching (classified) substitute roles, notes. 

How To Become A Substitute Teacher In Arizona

Can you be a sub with no teaching experience?

Not usually, but it helps. Depending on the state where you want to teach, the education, experience, training, and credentialing requirements can vary greatly. If you have prior teaching experience or a teaching license, the district may pay more or offer you a longer term position.

How much money does a sub make a day?

Long-Term Substitute Pay: Assignments that last several weeks or months often pay significantly more—sometimes up to $250 per day or higher. In some districts, long-term substitutes receive prorated salaries that align with full-time teacher pay.

Can I teach in Arizona without a teaching certificate?

All public schools and many private schools in Arizona require educators to be appropriately certified by the Arizona State Board of Education to lead a classroom. Even without a teaching degree, becoming an educator is possible through alternative teacher preparation programs.

Is there a demand for substitute teachers?

Yes, substitute teachers are in very high demand across the U.S., with many school districts struggling to fill absences, a situation intensified by the pandemic but with roots in pre-existing teacher shortages, leading to unfilled requests and increased reliance on subs for regular teaching gaps. Demand consistently outstrips supply, making substitute teaching a reliable way to get into schools, though challenges like low pay and lack of support persist. 

How much does a substitute certification cost?

Many (not all) states require special credentialing to substitute teach. The type of credentialing varies—it can be referred to as a substitute teacher license, permit, certificate, or authorization. Credentialing typically costs between $30 and $100 per credential.

Can you make a living off of being a substitute teacher?

Yes, you can make a living as a substitute teacher, but it depends heavily on your location, willingness to work daily, qualifications (higher pay for certified/degreed subs), and ability to find long-term assignments or work consistently in a high-paying district, with some areas offering over $200/day or even substantial annual incomes in metropolitan areas, while lower-paying regions might require a second job or frugal living. 

Which school district in AZ pays the most?

Arizona average teacher salary in 2022

In the state's largest county, Sentinel Elementary School District is also the highest paid. Rounding out the top five highest-paid school districts in Maricopa County are Arlington Elementary, Glendale Unified, Wilson Elementary, and Tolleson Union.

What is the emergency substitute certificate in Arizona?

The Emergency Substitute Certificate entitles the holder to substitute in the temporary absence of the certified teacher. Emergency Substitute Certificate holders are limited to 120 days of substitute teaching in the same school per school year.

Do subs get paid weekly or biweekly?

Substitute teachers may be paid on the day they work, weekly, or monthly depending on the school. Substitute teachers rarely receive benefits such as health care, life insurance, or vacation pay.

What is the fastest way to get a teaching certificate?

Intern programs offer the fastest path to a teaching career. Candidates can serve as a teacher of record and earn a salary after completing 120 hours of pre-service requirements—far less than other pathway types require.

What are the pros and cons of substitute teaching?

That said, I have done my best to describe the best and worst parts of subbing in general.

• Pro: Substitute teachers have an extremely flexible schedule. ...
• Con: Substitute teacher pay is not great. ...
• Pro: Substitute teachers get to encounter a new challenge almost every day. ...
• Pro: Subs get to work with kids.

Why are substitute teachers quitting?

Substitute teachers are quitting due to a combination of low pay, lack of benefits, poor working conditions (especially challenging classrooms with behavioral issues and no support), health concerns, job insecurity, and burnout, with many finding better pay and stability in other sectors, while also feeling disrespected and lacking professional growth opportunities, leading to high turnover. 

What is the 70 30 rule in teaching?

The 70/30 rule in teaching is a principle that shifts focus from teacher-led instruction to student-centered, active learning, suggesting students should do 70% of the talking/practice and teachers 30% of direct instruction, or that teachers plan 70% for activities and 30% for content, promoting deeper engagement and skill development over passive reception, particularly in language learning. 

Is substitute teaching a good side job?

Ultimately, whether substitute teaching is a good side hustle for you depends on your financial needs, career goals, and tolerance for uncertainty. It can be a rewarding experience, but it may not provide the stability and income consistency that some people seek from a side job.

Do you need a degree to be a substitute teacher in Arizona?

To become an emergency substitute for a K–12 school in Arizona, you must: Have a high school diploma (or official transcripts documenting a bachelor's degree or higher and all applicable coursework). Obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

What is the easiest state to become a teacher?

There isn't one single "easiest" state, as it depends on your background, but Florida, Iowa, and Colorado are often cited as having easier pathways, especially for career changers, due to fewer test requirements (like Iowa removing them) or flexible alternative routes that let you teach while completing training (like Florida and Colorado). Idaho, South Carolina, and Missouri also offer streamlined options, often by removing redundant requirements or allowing superintendent recommendations, making them potentially easier entry points.
 

Is there still a teacher shortage in Arizona?

PHOENIX – State schools superintendent Tom Horne says a new Arizona Department of Education survey of public schools shows the teacher shortage remains in a catastrophic state. More than 1,000 Arizona teachers quit the profession since July of this year.

Is subbing harder than teaching?

Subbing is often considered harder than full-time teaching because of the constant unpredictability, lack of established relationships, and pressure to manage classrooms with unfamiliar students and often incomplete lesson plans, requiring immense flexibility and quick adaptation, whereas a full-time teacher benefits from knowing routines, students, and curriculum, though they face the demands of planning and grading. While subbing offers flexibility (no grading/planning outside work), the day-to-day chaos, testing by students, and logistical hurdles (like finding the bathroom) make it extremely demanding. 

Is $20 an hour good in Arizona?

$20 an hour in Arizona is considered average to slightly below average for some jobs, but whether it's "good" depends heavily on your lifestyle, location (cities like Scottsdale pay more), and personal expenses like rent, as the state's average hourly wage is higher, around $25-$30, but a lower cost of living in some areas makes it feasible for basic needs. It might offer a comfortable living for someone single with low expenses in a less expensive town, but could be tight in urban areas like Phoenix or for someone supporting a family, notes Salary.com and Reddit users. 

How many days a week do subs work?

While substitute teaching is a flexible job where you can set your own schedule, some guest teachers really want a long term substitute teacher job that resembles full-time employment. At most school districts across the country, substitute teaching hours are scheduled to be 6-7 hours a day-up to five days a week.