Substitute Teaching

The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) maintains a centralized substitute teacher database. Individuals interested in substitute teaching in Sonoma County must register for and attend a mandatory substitute orientation (upcoming dates listed here). Upon activation in the consortium, substitutes may register with any of the 41 public school districts within the County to substitute teach.

>>View Our Substitute Teaching Flier<<

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Application Process and Criteria

The application process can vary depending on the individual's background, but candidates should always plan to attend a substitute orientation as a first step and then follow the general steps outlined below. Candidates should also make sure that they are eligible based on the criteria below before moving forward.

1. Check Your Eligibility

Prior to attending a substitute orientation, interested candidates must first meet one of the following criteria:

• Hold a valid California credential based on a bachelor's degree and the Basic Skills Requirement or substitute teaching permit.
• Possess a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited four year college or university.
• Current enrollment in a regionally accredited four-year California college or university, completion of a minimum of 90 semester units of coursework from a regionally-accredited four-year college or university, and satisfaction of the Basic Skills Requirement
• Regarding the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR): Passage of CA SB 153 (Chap. 38, Statutes 2024) eliminates the needs to demonstrate the Basic Skills Requirement when applying for an Emergency 30-day Substitute Teaching Permit effective July 1, 2024. However, demonstration of the BSR is still required when applying for an Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers. For more information regarding the Basic Skills Requirement, please refer to leaflet CL-667
• All other requirements will be discussed at the substitute orientation.

2. Attend a Mandatory Virtual Orientation Session

Substitute orientations are held virtually via Zoom throughout the year to explain the application process and outline requirements necessary for substitute teaching in Sonoma County. Attendance at a substitute orientation is mandatory for individuals seeking substitute teaching positions. An application packet is provided to attendees thereafter.

3. Be Fingerprinted and Obtain Medical Clearance

You will learn more about these requirements and how they apply to you at the orientation.

4. Complete Basic Training

The following training, roughly 3 hours in length, will be provided to all applicants upon receipt of their fingerprint clearance:

Bloodborne Pathogens Safety training. This course complies with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard to reduce the health risks to workers whose duties involve exposure to blood or other hazardous materials. To ensure that all substitute teachers are properly informed about bloodborne pathogens, SCOE offers training and a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit to all substitutes as part of the application process. A PPE kit may be obtained after receiving your authorization.

Mandated Reporter training. This course complies with CA AB 1432 that requires that all school district employees must report any suspected incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of students. Annual recertification is required of all substitutes on or after July 1 to reactivate their status for the coming school year.

Sexual Harassment Prevention training. This course complies with CA SB 1343 that employers provide one hour of sexual harassment and abusive conduct prevention training to nonmanagerial employees once every two years.

Title IX Training. This course complies with the U.S. Department of Education that employees must receive training on the general obligations under Title IX. Annual recertification is required.

Workplace Violence Prevention Training. This course complies with SB-553. District workplace violence prevention plans will be provided to applicants for review at the time of registration. Annual recertification is required.