2026-2027 Substitute Teacher

State of Missouri Substitute Certification To substitute teach in a public school within the state of Missouri, applicants must obtain a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) issued substitute certificate. Substitute certificates can be obtained in one of the following ways: 36 hours of college credit from a regionally accredited academic degree-granting, college or university.

Verification of these hours must be provided with an original transcript from each institution the applicant has attended. Frontline Education Online Training Course (20 Hours) Frontline Training LINK All applicants must also pass a background check as part of the DESE sub certification requirements. More information on how to apply for a Missouri Substitute Certificate can be found by clicking the following link: DESE Substitute Teacher Checklist NOTE: Individuals with valid Missouri teaching certificates who wish to substitute teach in a school district are no longer required by DESE to apply for a substitute certificate.

This includes individuals who hold an initial professional, career continuous professional, lifetime, student services, administration, provisional, and/or temporary certificate. There are restrictions on the number of hours a retired teacher may substitute teach. If, at any time, the educator allows his/her teaching certificate to expire, then a substitute certificate would be required.

Once the on-line application has been received by the district, certification through DESE and background check results are checked. Applications are then approved by the Board of Education during a regular board meeting. Once approved, the applicant will receive a packet in the mail with the Cassville R-IV Substitute Handbook, Technology Usage Agreement, Directions for mandatory on-line training, as well as, Payroll Paperwork.

A letter included will outline directions for all paperwork needing to be returned to Central Office.