How to Become a Substitute Teacher

Whether you're in Los Angeles, Orange County or San Francisco Bay Area, the process of becoming a substitute teacher is simple. It requires some paperwork and testing to ensure you’re qualified, healthy and capable of providing a safe environment for students.

At Scoot, we help substitute teachers find schools and schools find exceptional substitute teachers like you. Working with Scoot as your employer, you can always expect a flexible schedule and market-leading pay. Substitute teaching allows for a rewarding career or job without the hassle of extra schooling or restrictive schedules. 

To become a substitute teacher in California, on your first step you’ll need to have obtained a bachelor’s degree and be able to provide unofficial transcripts. 
In order to become a substitute teacher, Schools in California require a tuberculosis test (TB test) to ensure you’re healthy. Working with an agency, it is required to be dated within 60 days of your interview. You can either take a TB test or obtain a TB assessment test. You’ll submit the results to Scoot.

Congrats! It’s stellar you’re pursuing substitute teaching. Whether you're in Los Angeles, Orange County or San Francisco Bay Area, the process of becoming a substitute teacher is simple. It requires some paperwork and testing to ensure you’re qualified, healthy and capable of providing a safe environment for students.

(Pst! Already ready to start teaching?)

At Scoot, we help substitute teachers find schools and schools find exceptional substitute teachers like you. Working with Scoot as your employer, you can always expect a flexible schedule and market-leading pay. Substitute teaching allows for a rewarding career or job without the hassle of extra schooling or restrictive schedules. 

Ready to become a substitute teacher in CA? Here's how to get started and the requirements.  

Step 1:

 Have a bachelor’s degree

To become a substitute teacher in California, on your first step you’ll need to have obtained a bachelor’s degree and be able to provide unofficial transcripts. 
 

Step 2:

Take a TB test 

In order to become a substitute teacher, Schools in California require a tuberculosis test (TB test) to ensure you’re healthy. Working with an agency, it is required to be dated within 60 days of your interview. You can either take a TB test or obtain a TB assessment test. You’ll submit the results to Scoot. 

TB SKIN TEST (PPD)

With the TB test, the physician pricks the skin on your forearm with tuberculin. Don’t worry the needle doesn’t draw blood and it’s pretty painless!  

You’ll return between 24-48 hours to have the doctor check your forearm. *Note: It’s important you do it in that timeframe, or the whole process has to start again!*

A small bump forms and the doctor accesses it to determine if you have passed. If the bump is less than 5mm diameter, you’ve passed. 

TB RISK ASSESSMENT FORM 
In some cases, you’re able to do a TB Assessment form where a physician will simply screen you without having to prick or inject you. They’ll ask you a series of questions and assess your risk factor. Scoot can provide this form for you.

COST OF A TB TEST 
If you have insurance, schedule an appointment with your doctor for the test and the TB reading. You should expect to pay an office visit co-pay. Health insurance varies so be sure to ask price before going. 

If you don’t have insurance, you can expect to pay $40-$70 dollars for the test and the TB reading. 

Scoot does not reimburse for TB testing. 

WHERE TO TAKE THE TB TEST
TB testing is fairly common and accessible. Urgent cares, doctors offices and even boutique clinics offer TB testing services

We recommend using CVS Minute Clinics as they have convenient locations across California and offer cash prices as well as accept a majority of insurance plans. 

We’ve listed a few centers for you below:

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER LOS ANGELES

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SAN FRANCISCO BAY 

Step 3:

Complete a Live Scan test

After completing the Live Scan method, you'll be one step closer to become a substitute teacher. To check your criminal history is clear, you’ll take a Live Scan test which captures your fingerprints in a digitized format and then checks it against state police and FBI databases.

COST OF LIVE SCAN 
The cost varies per location but is usually around $70+. Scoot will reimburse you for your test up to $71, so be sure to keep your receipt! 

Step 4:

Take the CBEST exam

The California Basic Educational Skills Test™ (CBEST®) is a basic aptitude test developed to meet requirements of laws relating to credentialing and employment. 

If you have any of the following you can opt-out of the CBEST exam:

• Achieved a score of 3 or higher on the College Board AP English exam and a score of 3 or higher on the AP Calculus or the AP Statistics exam.

• Achieved a score of at least 500 on the SAT English exam and a score of at least 550 on the SAT mathematics exam.

• Achieved a score of at least 22 on the ACT English exam and a score of at least 23 on the ACT mathematics exam.

• Demonstrate proficiency on both the English and Mathematics sections of the California State University (CSU) Early Assessment Program (EAP), showing status as "College Ready" or "Exempt" in each section.

• Passed all three subtests of CSET: Multiple Subjects plus the CSET: Writing Skills

• Passed a basic skills examination from another state.

You can expect test results can take up to 2 weeks' time.

COST OF THE CBEST
The CBEST exam costs $102. Scoot does not reimburse for CBEST testing.

WHERE TO TAKE THE CBEST
Test dates are held 6 times a year at various test centers across the state. To see the dates and locations, click here. 

A few locations are below: 

Step 5:

Obtain a 30 Day Permit

Once you’ve passed the CBEST, you’ll be eligible to apply for an Emergency 30 Day Substitute Teacher Permit. 

Keep in mind, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing is a busy public office and obtaining the Emergency 30 Day Permit can take up to 3 months, but it’ll be worth it as the money and time spent will more than earn itself back when you’re eligible to teach in any classroom at any school!

COST OF 30 DAY PERMIT 
The permit costs $100.

Need a paycheck sooner? Don’t worry, we’ll put you to work immediately!

As long as you have a Bachelor’s degree, we’ll be able to place you into a classroom without a CBEST or 30 Day Permit. While you wait to receive your “pass” results, feel confident that you’ll be considered for schools that do not require CBEST of 30 Day Permits for substitute teachers.

Already a substitute teacher? 

Learn more about our interview process for a substitute teacher and how you can become a substitute teacher with Scoot or apply now!