How to become a substitute teacher in Maine
The Maine Department of Education does not list a substitute license on its certification pages. What it does require is a Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) approval: anyone over 18 who works for a school unit must be fingerprinted, and substitute teachers must be fingerprinted again every 5 years. Schooling and training rules are set by the hiring district, so check with the district.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the Maine Department of Education, Certification Office's own pages. Rules change; the state's page and your district have the last word.
At a glance
| Least schooling | Not set on the state's page; ask the district |
|---|---|
| Credential | No state substitute license; the Maine DOE issues a CHRC (criminal history) approval |
| Background check | Fingerprint-based Criminal History Record Check through the Maine DOE. Substitute teachers must redo it every 5 years, even with continuous employment. |
| How long it lasts | Fingerprints must be redone every 5 years for substitute teachers. |
| Fee | IdentoGO fingerprint processing fee of $55, as of 2026-10-30 (per the DOE's FAQ). |
| Who issues it | Maine Department of Education, Certification Office |
How to get it
- Create a MEIS account with the Maine DOE.
- Submit a CHRC non-teaching approval application.
- Register with IdentoGO and get fingerprinted.
- Apply to the school district and meet its own sub rules.
- Get fingerprinted again every 5 years while you sub.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- Maine DOE: Fingerprinting and Background Checks (opened October 30, 2026)
- Maine DOE: Certification FAQ (opened October 30, 2026)
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