How to become a substitute teacher in North Carolina
In North Carolina, local boards of education hire substitute teachers. State law sets a lower minimum pay for substitutes who do not hold a teaching certificate, so a state license is not required to sub. Each district sets its own education and training rules. Each local board also adopts its own policy on criminal history checks, which can include fingerprints through the State Bureau of Investigation. The NC Department of Public Instruction oversees licensing for certified teachers.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction'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; districts hire directly |
| Background check | Each local board of education sets its policy on criminal history checks for school personnel, including substitutes. Where a check is required, the person is fingerprinted for the State Bureau of Investigation, and the board may not charge the applicant for it. |
| Who issues it | North Carolina Department of Public Instruction |
How to get it
- Pick the school district where you want to substitute.
- Read that district's substitute requirements, such as training or college credit.
- Apply to the district.
- Complete the district's criminal history check and fingerprints if its policy requires them.
Limits and conditions
- State law sets minimum daily pay at 65% of an entry-level teacher's rate for certified subs and 50% for noncertified subs.
- Requirements vary by district, so check with the district.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 115C-12(8), substitute teachers (opened October 30, 2026)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 115C-332, criminal history checks of school personnel (opened October 30, 2026)
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