Become a Substitute Teacher in Florida: 6 Steps in 2023

So you’re interested in how to become a substitute teacher in Florida. Lucky for you, becoming a sub in Florida is super easy!

As of 2023, all you need to get started is:

• A high school diploma
• A background check
• A few references and ID documents

Since the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) does not standardize how to become a substitute in their state, each county and school district has their unique application process. This means you have to submit a new application each time you apply to a new district.

But if you apply to an educational staffing company like Scoot, you need only apply once to teach at multiple school districts. We also help place you in the right educator positions suited to your classroom and schedule preferences.

Our guide will explain everything you need to know about how to become a substitute teacher in Florida in 2023.

Want a PDF that summarizes the steps on how to sub in Florida?

Download the Scoot guide

Steps to become a substitute teacher in Florida

Take these 6 steps to become a Florida substitute teacher with Scoot:

1. Submit your application
2. Go through a phone screen
3. Complete a virtual interview
4. Upload official documents
5. Pass your background check
6. Receive your offer letter!

Step 1: Submit your application

First, start your application online.

1. Fill out basic contact information and complete an initial questionnaire.
2. Upload your resume. No worries if you don’t have one. You can answer some questions about your professional background instead.
3. Hit submit!

If your application is accepted, you’ll be contacted within 2-5 business days for a phone screen.

What if I only have a high school diploma?

No problem! A high school diploma is all you need to become a substitute teacher with Scoot Education.

Generally, schools within Florida counties have easy-to-meet educational requirements for substitute teachers. These vary from county to county; from high school diploma to 60 or more college credits. Some districts may require a minimum GPA.

But with Scoot, you don’t have to worry about district-specific requirements! We partner with a variety of schools, so we’ll let you know which of our partners have stricter requirements and how you can meet them should you want to teach there. And you definitely don’t need a Bachelor’s degree to become a substitute teacher in Florida.

Step 2: Go through a phone screen

Next, schedule a quick phone call with one of our consultants.

The phone screen is just a 15-minute call to get to know you. It is NOT the formal interview that takes place later. We’ll ask about:

• What you’re looking for
• Where you’re located
• Permits or credentials you might have

Your answers inform us if we have the kind of work that fits your needs.

Step 3: Complete a virtual interview

If we seem to be a good fit, you can schedule time for a virtual interview.

Before the interview

To streamline the interview process, you’ll upload proof of your teaching credentials IF you have any. These may be:

• A teaching certificate issued by the Florida Department of Education (Temporary or Professional). You can check your status online.
• A Statement of Eligibility issued by the Florida Department of Education
• Proof of completion of a substitute teacher course or workshop

What’s the virtual interview like?

The interview will be 30 to 45 minutes long over video call.

We’ll ask you about your ideal commute time, preferences for grade levels, and more to make sure that you only get assignments that suit your needs!

Step 4: Upload official documents

Great job! Once you’ve passed your interview, we’ll invite you to submit the following documents:

1. Identification documents (ID, SSN, etc.)
2. Three references including at least one supervisor
3. Payroll information

Providing references is an important step in this process. We want to learn more about you through the praise of others!

List people who can positively attest to your job performance and teaching skills. Remember, you must reach out to at least one current or former supervisor if you’re applying to Scoot Education.

Step 5: Pass your background check

Next, you’ll have to pass a background check to ensure you can provide a safe experience for students.

To complete a background check, you must submit your fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Your fingerprints will be checked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) databases for any criminal records.

How do I get fingerprinted?

To pass a background check, follow the steps below:

1. Complete a background authorization form that we provide
2. Find your nearest Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) approved LiveScan location
3. Go to the location with your official ID documents

Where can I complete my LiveScan?

These are the FDLE approved LiveScan locations in the counties Scoot Education serves:

• Miami-Dade
• Broward
• Palm Beach

How much does the fingerprint appointment fee cost?

Fingerprinting fees can range from $71 to $81 when you go through the school district’s fingerprinting process.

If you apply with Scoot Education, we reimburse the cost up to $90 for the live scan in your first paycheck.

Step 6: Receive your offer letter!

Once you’ve completed all the steps and gotten approved, you’ll receive your offer letter in your email inbox. Then, we’ll help you get set up as a Scoot employee in our online systems.

Commonly asked questions

1. Do I need a Florida substitute teaching license or certificate before applying?

No, you do not need a Florida substitute teacher license to start subbing in Florida. The state does not issue a substitute teacher specific credential anyway!

2. How much does a substitute teacher make in Florida?

A Florida substitute teacher salary depends on assignment length, type of role, school district, and certificate level.

On average, a substitute teacher’s pay in Florida is $115 per full day or $30,273 annually. The highest-earning substitute earns $42,996 per year according to Indeed.

3. How do I get booked?

If you work with Scoot, you get to use our in-house app Scoot 2 Work. Scoot 2 Work lets you set your daily or recurring availability to work.

Your personal consultant takes the guesswork out of choosing a job by choosing assignments that best suit your preferences! We check your availability and if we have a position for you, we’ll call you in the morning to see if you’d like to go. We can also schedule you weeks in advance.

This blend of tech and human interaction helps ensure the right classroom-teacher match every time.

4. Why should I apply to Scoot Education instead of directly to school districts?

If you apply directly to school districts, you’ll spend more time researching each county’s unique requirements and applying rather than finding assignments and teaching.

Moreover, you’ll likely have to complete an FLDOE-approved substitute teacher preparation program and apply for a Florida educator certificate on top of all the background checks and references you’ll complete and submit.

Although the requirements are still relatively easy to meet compared to other states, the certification process is just slightly more complicated and time consuming than if you applied through agency like Scoot Education.

You can start subbing in as fast as 3 days with Scoot! Whereas, hiring and onboarding could take 2-4 weeks with the county.

At Scoot, we’ve streamlined the process for our applicants and schools without compromising on the quality of our educators. You’ll still be well trained and prepared to step in the classroom without taking extra steps.

Become a substitute teacher with Scoot Education

Congrats! You made it to the end of this guide. Now you know what it takes to become a substitute teacher in Florida with Scoot.

And you know that requirements and application processes differ between each county in Florida.

So if you’re interested in launching your subbing career quickly, apply to Scoot. Not only do we make applying a lot faster and hassle-free, we also provide a lot of perks to our Scoot subs. Here are some of the benefits of subbing with Scoot Education:

• Have access to your own Scoot consultant, an expert in the education field who can answer all your teaching-related questions. Whether you need help becoming a sub or need advice when teaching, your Scoot consultant has your back!
• Get exclusive access to ScootCamp, our voluntary teacher preparation program that helps educators feel prepared for success in the classroom. This free online professional development course covers three important subjects:
  • Behavior management
  • Special education
  • Trauma-informed teaching
• Be in full control of your schedule with our app Scoot 2 Work. We have no availability minimum so you can work as much or as little as you want.
• Enjoy weekly pay every Friday via direct deposit straight into your bank account!

Ready to sub with Scoot Education?

Become a Scoot Education substitute teacher today and start making a difference in schools near you!

Apply now