Georgia offers a relatively flexible pathway into substitute teaching, especially compared to states that require a full professional teaching license for all classroom coverage. Rather than enforcing a single rigid credential, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) allows districts to hire substitutes under multiple qualification tiers, each with different education and training requirements.
In practice, Atlanta-area K-12 schools typically recognize three primary substitute roles: certified substitute teachers, non-certified substitute teachers, and paraprofessional substitutes. Each role serves a different classroom need and comes with its own eligibility standards, giving schools more staffing flexibility while still maintaining safety and instructional continuity.
Certified Substitute Teacher (K–12 — APS)
- Education: Bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited college or university or a GaPSC-approved institution.
- Certification: Valid or expired professional Georgia teaching certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
- Clearance: Valid or expired Georgia Clearance Certificate, or GACE Educator Ethics completion certificate on file with GaPSC.
- Background: Clear criminal background check and fingerprinting.
- Age: 18+ per Georgia state baseline.
- Training: Exempt from the STEDI Online Substitute Training Course requirement.
- Long-Term: Can serve as a long-term substitute (20+ consecutive days) provided certification matches the assignment.
Non-Certified Substitute Teacher (K–12 — APS)
- Education: Minimum bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited institution.
- Training: Complete the STEDI Online Substitute Training Course (composite passing score of at least 80%), OR provide proof of a valid/expired teaching, paraprofessional, or professional certificate.
- Clearance & Background: Georgia Clearance Certificate / GACE Educator Ethics on file; criminal background check and fingerprinting required.
- Age: 18+.
- Long-Term Restrictions: Under GaPSC Rule 505-2-.20, any classroom vacancy lasting 46+ consecutive days must be filled by a certified, in-field teacher.
Paraprofessional Substitute (K–12 — APS)
- Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent (minimum).
- Role: Supports classroom and paraprofessional duties rather than serving as the lead classroom teacher.
- Training: STEDI course OR proof of an eligible certificate.
- Background: Criminal background check and fingerprinting required.
- Age: 18+.
Georgia State Baseline (Statewide — GaPSC Rule 505-2-.20)
- Education Minimum: High school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Training: Minimum four hours of initial substitute training from the employing district (certificate holders exempt).
- Age Minimum: 18 years old; individual districts may set higher thresholds.
- Assignment Limits: Subs holding only a high school diploma or GED may not work in any one classroom for more than 10 consecutive days.
- 46-Day Rule: Any teacher absence/vacancy lasting 46+ consecutive days must be filled by a certified, in-field teacher.
- Certification: Georgia does not issue a statewide substitute permit; each district sets its own hiring policies above the state floor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Substitute Teaching in Georgia
Do you need a degree to be a substitute teacher in Georgia?
Not necessarily. Georgia's minimum for non-certified substitute roles is a high school diploma or GED; a Georgia teaching certificate is only needed for certain certified positions. Requirements vary by district.
How long does it take to become a substitute teacher in Georgia?
Once you meet the basics — passing a background check and fingerprinting — you can often start within a couple of weeks. HelloSubs handles training and speeds up onboarding.
Do you need experience to substitute teach in Georgia?
No prior classroom experience is required for most substitute roles. Browse substitute teacher jobs in Atlanta.