How to become a substitute teacher in Indiana
The Indiana Department of Education issues a Substitute Teaching Permit. You need a high school diploma or equivalency and must be at least 18, and the school employer can ask for more. The employer screens you, recommends you, and confirms your application in the state's online system, LVIS. The page leaves the background check to the employer's screening, so ask the district. The permit lasts three years.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the Indiana Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensing's own pages. Rules change; the state's page and your district have the last word.
At a glance
| Least schooling | A high school diploma or high school equivalency |
|---|---|
| Credential | Substitute Teaching Permit |
| Background check | Part of the school employer's screening. Ask the hiring district. |
| How long it lasts | Three years from the date you pay. It is not renewable; you apply for a new permit when it ends. |
| Fee | $15.00 plus a small processing fee, as of 2026-10-30. |
| Who issues it | Indiana Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensing |
How to get it
- Contact the school employer and meet its screening requirements.
- Have the employer recommend you and verify your application in LVIS.
- Submit and pay for the permit application in LVIS.
- Wait for the Office of Educator Licensing to issue the permit in your name and the employer's.
- Log into LVIS to print a copy.
Limits and conditions
- You must be at least 18.
- The permit is valid only for the employer that requested it, unless employers have a reciprocity agreement.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- Indiana Department of Education, Substitute Permits (opened October 30, 2026)
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