How to become a substitute teacher in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Department of Education pages we read do not describe a separate substitute certificate or a state education minimum, so ask the hiring district what it requires. State law does require a national criminal history record check for anyone applying to substitute, once per school year. The district gives you the request form, and you get fingerprinted by appointment. Uncertified long-term subs in special education must also finish free state training.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the Oklahoma State Department of Education'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 pages we read; ask the hiring district |
|---|---|
| Credential | No separate substitute certificate on the state's pages; districts hire directly |
| Background check | A national criminal history record check (fingerprints) for the school year. A district may skip it for a sub it employed in the last year, and some recent full-time teachers can be exempt. |
| Fee | Fingerprint background check: $58.25 for the faster electronic route or $45.00 for the paper-card route, as of 2026-10-30. |
| Who issues it | Oklahoma State Department of Education |
How to get it
- Apply with the school district where you want to substitute and ask about its requirements.
- Get the National Criminal History Record Check form from that district.
- Register online with IdentoGO and book a fingerprint appointment, or use a paper fingerprint card.
- If you sub in more than one district, ask that your one record check be sent to the others.
- For a long-term special education assignment, complete the state's online training once the district enrolls you.
Limits and conditions
- An uncertified sub teaching special education in the same assignment for more than 15 days in a row or 30 days in a year must complete state in-service training, at no cost.
- Long-term special education subs may teach and grade, but may not be the teacher of record or write or sign an IEP.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- Oklahoma State Department of Education: Background Checks for School Employment (opened October 30, 2026)
- Oklahoma State Department of Education: Background Check Rules and Legislation (opened October 30, 2026)
- Oklahoma State Department of Education: Long-Term Substitutes in Special Education (opened October 30, 2026)
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