Substitute – Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I have to be certified to substitute for your districts?
Certification is strongly preferred, but each district looks at applications on a case-by-case basis. School districts require that substitute teachers have been awarded a bachelor’s degree with a few exceptions. You may be accepted in some districts with a certain number of college credits.
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I used to substitute for you and I would like to come back on the list. What do I have to do?
Contact the district to fill out the appropriate paperwork.
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Do you hire permanent or long term substitutes?
No. The OHM BOCES Sub Call Service is not in charge of hiring substitutes for participating districts. Hiring long-term or permanent subs is a district decision.
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Do you coordinate substitutes for summer school?
No. Substitutes are not used in summer school.
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I was fingerprinted for the NYSED OSPRA database once already. Do I have to be printed again? How do I tell if my fingerprints are on file? What if I was fingerprinted for the New York City Board of Education?
You do not have to be reprinted as long as you were fingerprinted for the NYSED OSPRA database after July 1, 2001. If you were printed for the New York City Board of Education after July 1, 1990 you will need to fill out and send the NYCBOE an OSPRA 104 form authorizing the NYCBOE to release your print results to NYSED OSPRA.
If you were printed for daycare or as a bus driver, you have to be fingerprinted again. Our process and fees are explained on our fingerprint link. Or you may call NYSED OSPRA directly at 518-473-2998 for information.
Guidelines for Substitutes
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Certified Teacher Substitutes
- Certified teacher substitutes will be notified of positions up to three days prior to the position starting.
- A Certified teacher can see all available positions online at any time.
- Certified teacher substitutes can work in any capacity, up to 40 days within a position.
Teacher Substitutes Working Towards a Certificate- Can work in any capacity for up to 40 days within a position.
- College coursework can not be less than six semester hours per year.
Uncertified Teacher Substitutes- Uncertified Teacher Substitutes will be notified of positions 12 hours prior to the position starting. An uncertified teacher substitute will only see online positions 12 hours before the start of the position.
- Uncertified Teacher Substitutes may work no more than 40 days in a school district or BOCES in a school year.
NOTE: Certified substitutes, legally, must be called before an Uncertified Teacher Substitute.
Local District RequirementsSchool districts may have additional local requirements for individuals who are employed as substitute teachers.
