How to become a substitute teacher in South Dakota
The South Dakota Department of Education pages we read name no day-to-day substitute certificate or education minimum, so ask the hiring district. State rules do define a long-term substitute: up to 45 school days in a vacant job, or longer for a teacher on leave if the sub holds a valid or inactive teaching certificate. State law requires fingerprint background checks by the Division of Criminal Investigation and the FBI for everyone a school hires.
Checked October 30, 2026 on the South Dakota 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 criminal background check by fingerprints through the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the FBI, for each person over 18 hired by an accredited school. The school may pay the fee. |
| Who issues it | South Dakota Department of Education |
How to get it
- Contact the school district where you want to substitute and ask for its requirements.
- Submit fingerprints for a state and FBI background check through the district.
- You may start on a temporary basis while the results are pending.
- For a long-term assignment past 45 days, ask whether you need a valid or inactive teaching certificate.
Limits and conditions
- Long-term sub in a vacant job: no more than 45 school days in all while the district seeks a contract teacher.
- Past 45 days for a teacher on leave: allowed under Family and Medical Leave Act leave, or if the sub holds a valid or inactive teaching certificate. Districts can apply for a waiver.
Ready for the first day
Sources
- South Dakota Department of Education: Waivers, Long-Term Substitute (opened October 30, 2026)
- ARSD 24:28:01:01: Meaning of terms (long-term substitute) (opened October 30, 2026)
- SDCL 13-10-12: Criminal background investigation of school employees (opened October 30, 2026)
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