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Support Staff Requirements

Substitute Teacher and Paraprofessional Requirements (updated 03/07/2023)

StateSubstituteParaprofessional
CO
  • High School Diploma – 1-year substitute authorization. 

  • Bachelor’s Degree – 3-year and 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 that hold a high school diploma shall not work in any one classroom more than ten (10) consecutive days. 
  • Associate degree or higher (evidence is an official transcript); or 
  • 60 semester hours completed (evidence is an official transcript); or 
  • Passing score (250) on the GACE paraprofessional assessment
IN
  • High School Diploma.  

  • Upon hire and prior to start the new hire must apply for and obtain a Substitute Permit through LVIS. 

  • Any teaching licenses; or
  • 48 college credits (evidence is an unofficial transcript); or
  • Passing scores on ETS Para Praxis exam (Reading 176, Writing 172, Math 175 or total 460).
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, and 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 – Evidence based reading and writing-480, mathematics 530 on or after 3/5/16. Discontinued Para Tests and Dates Title I Paraprofessional Requirements. Workkeys is acceptable if taken prior to 6/1/2017.
NC
  • Minimum 48 semester college credit hours or passing scores on the WorkKeys assessment. 
  • 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 - passing score of 4
    • Workplace Documents - passing score of 4
    • Business Writing - passing score of 3 or Graphic Literacy - passing score of 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 more than 40 days, should be employed in area that they are certified in Working Towards Certification (6 semester hrs./year) – if more than 40 days, should be employed in the area for which they are seeking certification.  See: Substitute Guidance

  • Completion of 48 semester hours; or 
  • Passed the NY State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (095)
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%)