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Support Staff Requirements

Substitute Teacher and Paraprofessional Requirements (updated 3/20/2026)

StateSubstituteParaprofessional
CO
  • High school diploma – 1-year substitute authorization
  • Bachelor’s degree – 3-year substitute authorization  
  • Active or expired Colorado teacher license – 5-year Substitute Authorization
  • Upon hire and prior to start, the new hire must apply for and obtain a Colorado Substitute Authorization
  • Completed 48 credit hours (as evidenced by transcripts); or
  • Associate degree or higher (as evidenced by transcripts); or 
  • Passing scores on ETS Parapro (460); or
  • WorkKeys Exams
    • Math – 4
    • Reading for Information – 4
    • Writing – 3; or
  • Valid CO teaching license
GA
  • High school diploma.
  • Individuals who hold a high school diploma cannot work in any one classroom more than 10 consecutive days. 
  • Associate degree or higher (evidence is an official transcript or diploma); or 
  • 60 semester hours completed (evidence is an official transcript); or 
  • Passing score (250) on the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment (evidence is a GACE Score Report)
IN
  • High school diploma. 
  • Upon hire and prior to start, the new hire must apply for and obtain a Substitute Permit through LVIS. 
  • Any professional teaching license; or
  • 48 college credits (evidence is an unofficial transcript); or
  • Passing scores on ETS ParaPro Exam
    • Reading – 176
    • Writing – 172
    • Math – 175 or
    • Total – 460; or
  • Passing scores on the ParaPathways Assessments
    • Reading and Writing – 332
    • Mathematics – 334
LA
  • Minimum 48 semester college credit hours and 21 years of age. 
  • ETS Parapro Exam (450 or higher); or
  • Official transcripts showing a minimum of 48 semester hours with:
    • 3 credit hours of English Composition
    • 6 credit hours of English/Reading
    • 6 credit hours of Math; or
  • Official transcripts showing an associate degree or higher.
  • Cannot accept ACT WorkKeys® any longer.
MI
  • Unofficial transcripts showing a minimum of 60 semester college credit hours with a C or better in each course; or a degree with an overall 2.0 GPA or higher from a 2-year or 4-year US regionally accredited institution.
  • Upon hire and prior to start the new hire must apply for and obtain a Michigan Substitute Permit.  
  • Unofficial transcripts with a minimum of 60 semester hours; or
  • Valid MI Teaching Certificate; or
  • ETS Parapro Assessment
    • A passing score of 460 is required
  • College Board SAT on or after 3/5/16.
    • Evidence based reading and writing – 480
    • Mathematics – 530
  • Discontinued Para Tests and Dates Title I Paraprofessional Requirements.
  • Workkeys is acceptable if taken prior to 6/1/2017.
NC
  • Official transcripts with a minimum of 48 semester hours of college level education; or
  • Associate degree or higher; or
  • ACT WorkKeys with the following passing scores:
    • Applied Math – 4
    • Workplace Documents – 4
    • Business Writing – 3 or Graphic Literacy – 4
  • Official transcripts with a minimum of 48 semester hours of college level education; or
  • Associate degree or higher; or
  • ACT WorkKeys with the following passing scores:
    • Applied Math – 4
    • Workplace Documents – 4
    • Business Writing – 3 or Graphic Literacy – 4
NY
  • New York does not issue substitute teacher permits. 
  • High school diploma – no more than 40 days by a school district in a school year. 
  • Teaching Certificate – if working more than 40 days, the individual should be employed in the area in which they are certfied.
  • Working Towards Certification (six semester hours/year) – if working more than 40 days, the individual should be employed in the area for which they are seeking certification. See: Substitute Guidance
  • Level I Teaching Assistant Certificate; or
  • Level II Teaching Assistant Certificate; or
  • Level III Teaching Assistant Certificate; or
  • Pre-Professional Teaching Assistant Certificate; or
  • Professional Teaching Assistant Certificate
OH 
  • High school diploma. 
  • Upon hire and prior to start, the new hire must apply for licensure. 
  • Valid Educational Aide Permit with ESEA endorsement:
    • Passing score on ParaPro Exam (456); or
    • 48 Semester hours from accredited institution
WI 
  • Associate’s degree or higher. 
  • Upon hire and prior to start, the new hire must: 
    • Go through a substitute training program, provide official transcripts to DPI, and then apply for a Wisconsin Substitute License. 
  • License must be issued (or a pending application in ELO – Educator Licensing Online) before beginning employment. 
  • Minimum of 48 credit hours; or
  • Associate degree or higher (official transcripts); or
  • Passing scores on one of the following assessments:
    • ETS (460 or higher)
    • WorkKeys Exam
      • Applied Mathematics – 4
      • Reading for Information – 4
      • Writing/Business Writing – 3
      • Instructional Support Inventory – 3
    • ParaEducator Master Teacher
      • Assessment 1 – Instructional Support: 65%
      • Assessment 2 – Content and Application: 70%