How to become a substitute teacher in Michigan

In Michigan, the school district gets a Daily Substitute Permit from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) for a sub who is not a certified teacher. The permit needs at least 60 semester hours of college credit with a C or better, or an associate degree. The district runs the background check required by school safety law and applies in the state's MOECS system.

Checked October 30, 2026 on the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Educator Excellence's own pages. Rules change; the state's page and your district have the last word.

At a glance

Least schooling	60 semester hours of college credit (grade C or better) or an associate degree
Credential	Daily Substitute Permit
Background check	The school confirms a background check under school safety law; MDE's Permit Eligibility Record lists background and fingerprints as required.
Fee	$45 permit fee, as of 2026-10-30 (MDE lists it in the permit application steps).
Who issues it	Michigan Department of Education, Office of Educator Excellence

How to get it

Earn 60 semester hours of college credit (C or better) or an associate degree.
Apply to a district or nonpublic school as a substitute.
Complete the district's background check and fingerprints.
The school applies for your Daily Substitute Permit in MOECS.

Limits and conditions

A Daily Substitute Permit may be used in the same assignment for up to 90 consecutive calendar days.
It may be extended once for another 90 consecutive calendar days, with an evaluation and a mentor teacher; the extension is not available for special education.

Ready for the first day

Sources

MDE: Permits, How They Work (opened October 30, 2026)
MDE: Daily Substitute Permit as a Transition Plan (opened October 30, 2026)
MDE: Permit Eligibility Record (PDF) (opened October 30, 2026)

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