How to become a substitute teacher in Wake County Public Schools
Wake County Public Schools hires non-certified subs with a high school diploma or GED, and certified subs with a teaching license from any state, current or expired. Without a North Carolina license you also pass the SubSkills Training Course with 80% or finish Effective Teacher Training. Every applicant gives a supervisory reference and passes a criminal background check, then attends orientation.
Checked November 5, 2026 on the Wake County Public School System's own pages. Districts change their rules each school year; the district's page has the last word. We read it again by March 5, 2027.
At a glance
| Where | Wake County, North Carolina, around Raleigh |
|---|---|
| Least schooling | A high school diploma or GED (non-certified); a current or expired teaching license from any state for the certified rate |
| Background check | A criminal background check for every applicant. |
| Training | Without a North Carolina teaching license: the SubSkills Training Course (pass with 80%) or Effective Teacher Training (ETT). Student teachers can send proof of student teaching instead. Then orientation, in person and online from 10 August 2026. |
| Daily pay | $120 a day non-certified, $142 a day certified (as of 2026-11-05). |
How to apply
- Complete the Employment Application and pick “Daily Substitute Teacher” from the positions.
- Give at least one recent supervisory reference. Friends, family and co-workers are not accepted.
- Upload your diploma or GED (with an evaluation for foreign credentials) or your teaching license.
- Without a North Carolina license, upload a SubSkills or ETT certificate. The district accepts SubSkills bought through its own link, or the sub course certificate from another North Carolina district.
- The district checks your references and runs the background check, then invites you to orientation.
- Approved subs get a welcome email.
What North Carolina asks first
The district's rules sit on top of the state's. In North Carolina the least schooling the state sets is: set by each district. North Carolina substitute teacher requirements has the state's part, from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- WCPSS: Substitute Teachers (requirements, pay and training) (opened November 5, 2026)
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