How to become a substitute teacher in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not license short-term subs. State law exempts temporary substitute teachers from teacher certification, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) defines a temporary substitute as someone in the same role for under 90 school days in a row. Past 90 days, the sub must be licensed for the role or work under a hardship waiver. Districts set the schooling rules and must run a fingerprint check.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's own pages. Rules change; the state's page and your district have the last word.
At a glance
| Least schooling | Set by each district |
|---|---|
| Credential | No state license for a temporary substitute; districts hire directly |
| Background check | Districts must run a state and national fingerprint-based criminal background check on school employees with direct, unmonitored contact with children (M.G.L. c. 71, §38R). |
| Who issues it | Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education |
How to get it
- Pick the district you want to sub for.
- Read its posting for the schooling and training it asks for.
- Apply to the district.
- Complete the state and national fingerprint check the district asks for.
- If a job will run past 90 school days in a row, get licensed for the role or ask about a hardship waiver.
Limits and conditions
- A temporary substitute is one employed for less than 90 consecutive school days in the same role.
- After 90 consecutive school days in the same role, the educator must be licensed for the role or work under a hardship waiver.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- 603 CMR 7.02: Definitions (Temporary Substitute Teacher) (opened October 30, 2026)
- M.G.L. c. 71, §38G: Educator licensure (opened October 30, 2026)
- M.G.L. c. 71, §38R: Background checks for school employees (opened October 30, 2026)
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