How to become a substitute teacher in Hawaii
Hawaii has one statewide school system, and the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) hires its own substitutes. Class I subs have no bachelor's degree, Class II subs have one, and Class III subs are licensed teachers or finished a state-approved teacher program. Everyone except Class III finishes an approved substitute certification course. You also send transcripts and a TB clearance, and you cannot start until fingerprinting and a background check clear.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the Hawaii State Department of Education's own pages. Rules change; the state's page and your district have the last word.
At a glance
| Least schooling | No bachelor's degree needed for Class I, with an approved substitute certification course |
|---|---|
| Credential | Substitute teacher certification (Class I, II or III) |
| Background check | Fingerprinting and a background check at the school's district office; you cannot start until clearance is granted. |
| How long it lasts | Substitute certification lasts five years and must be renewed. |
| Who issues it | Hawaii State Department of Education |
How to get it
- Finish an approved substitute teacher certification course, unless you are a licensed teacher or finished a state-approved teacher program.
- Apply online between July 1 and March 15, with official transcripts and a TB clearance from the past year.
- Wait for schools to review your application and maybe interview you.
- Get a hiring decision and send the pre-hire documents.
- Do fingerprinting and a background check at the school's district office, then wait for clearance to start.
Limits and conditions
- Applications are accepted July 1 to March 15; incomplete ones are withdrawn on April 15.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- HIDOE, Substitute teachers (opened October 30, 2026)
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