How to become a substitute teacher in Oregon
Oregon's Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) requires a license for every substitute assignment. The full Substitute Teaching License needs a bachelor's degree plus a finished teacher preparation program. The Restricted Substitute license needs a bachelor's degree and a sponsoring district. The District Substitute license needs no degree but is sponsored by, and limited to, one district. All three need fingerprints and a background clearance through TSPC.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC)'s own pages. Rules change; the state's page and your district have the last word.
At a glance
| Least schooling | A bachelor's degree for the Substitute and Restricted Substitute licenses; no degree for the District Substitute license, which a district sponsors |
|---|---|
| Credential | Substitute Teaching License (also Restricted Substitute and District Substitute Teaching Licenses) |
| Background check | Fingerprints and a background clearance, generally for first-time Oregon licensees; instructions are emailed after you apply. |
| How long it lasts | Substitute Teaching License: three years to your birthday. Restricted and District Substitute: one year to June 30; a second issue may be for three years if you apply on time with the same sponsor. |
| Fee | Base license fee $182, fingerprinting $61, license system fee $5 and portal fee $10, plus about $12.50 to the fingerprint vendor, as listed by TSPC as of 2026-10-30. Fees paid in eLicensing are not refundable. |
| Who issues it | Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) |
How to get it
- Pick the license that fits you; for Restricted or District Substitute, contact the district first, since it must sponsor you.
- Apply and pay the fee in TSPC eLicensing.
- Follow the emailed instructions to get fingerprinted for your background clearance.
- Have your college send official transcripts to TSPC, if your license needs a degree.
- For a sponsored license, have the district send TSPC its sponsorship letter.
Limits and conditions
- Restricted Substitute: no more than 10 days in a row in a single assignment.
- District Substitute: no more than 10 days in a row in a single assignment, and only in the sponsoring district.
- Full Substitute license: up to one academic year in a single assignment.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- TSPC: Substitute Teaching in Oregon, Licensing Options and Requirements (opened October 30, 2026)
- Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (opened October 30, 2026)
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