You to work as a substitute teacher in California, no matter your education level. Below, we'll look at some how to become a substitute teacher in California. Specifically, salary statistics, education, and testing requirements to earn credentials as a substitute teacher in California will be discussed.
California Substitute Teacher Requirements
| Average Salary for Substitute Teachers in California (2019)* | $41,650 |
| Required Degree | Bachelor's degree (or current enrollment in a bachelor's degree program) |
| Degree Field | No specific requirement |
| Testing Requirements | California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) |
Source: *Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019)
Types of California Substitute Teacher Permits
There are four types of substitute teacher permits in California:
- 30-day permit
- Teaching permit for prospective teachers
- Career permit
- CTE 30-day permit.
All four are valid for a year and are renewable. The California substitute teaching permit for prospective educators is only issued to those still working on credentialing requirements, so it can only be renewed once.
For first-time California substitute teaching permits, the most common permit to seek out is either the 30-day permit or the CTE 30-day permit, depending on your education level. The 30-day permit is a bit confusing because of its name. While it sounds like the permit would be valid for only 30 days, as we mentioned before, it is valid for a year. The reason it is called the 30-day permit is because California substitute teachers cannot fill in for any one teacher for more than 30 days in a school year. The CTE 30-day permit is for those who want to teach one of the CTE, or trade, classes.
California has an emergency career substitute teaching permit that allows you to teach for a teacher for no more than 60 days in a school year. The exception is special education teachers can only be substituted for 20 days a year. You can apply for this permit only after you have completed three years of substituting with a 30-day permit.
Steps to Becoming a Substitute Teacher in California
Step 1: Meet Education Requirements
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To become a substitute teacher in California, you must have a bachelor's degree. This will allow you to get a 30-day permit or a career permit. You'll likely want to focus that program on education so that you have a breadth of knowledge on teaching various grades.
You must have at least 90 credits of college courses completed before applying for the prospective teacher permit. You must also be enrolled in a 4-year program to complete your bachelor's degree.
For CTE 30-day permits, substitutes only need to have a high school diploma or GED. The critical education for these classes is learned through hands-on experience. Subs must have at least 3,000 working hours in the industry they wish to substitute.
Step 2: Complete Testing
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All permits except the CTE 30-day require you to score a minimum of 123 points on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). This test has three sections: reading, writing, and mathematics. The reading and math sections each have 50 multiple-choice questions, while the writing section asks you to complete two essays. You'll be given four hours to complete all three sections. Each section is scored individually, and you cannot score less than 37 on any subtest, or else you cannot pass no matter how high the cumulative grade.
Alternatively, you can score 220 on the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination. The test has three subtests with multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions.
Another option is to score three or more in Math and English on The College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations.
An SAT score of 500 in Critical Reading and 550 in Math or an ACT score of 22 in English and 23 in Math are also accepted for testing.
Step 3: Get Fingerprinted
The final requirement to become a substitute teacher in California is to be fingerprinted. All prospective teachers must be fingerprinted and cleared by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI. It takes approximately 3-7 days for clearance for California residents. This is also called a Live Scan for those applying with the Commission on Teaching Credentials. This Live Scan receipt must be included with your application and processing fee.
Take a Tuberculosis Test
Although the infectious disease is rare, to become a substitute teacher in California, you will be required to take a tuberculosis test no more than 60 days before your application.
California Certification Sources for Substitute Teachers
When applying for one of the substitute teacher permits, you'll typically need to pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). Below find study guide links that can help you study and prepare for the exam.
- Prepare for your CSET/CBEST Exams
- CBEST Test Prep: Practice & Study Guide
California Substitute Teacher Pay
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average substitute teacher pay in California in 2019 was $41,650 annually. California ranks number 14 in the nation for substitute teacher pay. The top paying cities are San Mateo, Berkeley, and Daly City.
