Delaware Substitute Teaching Requirements

Substitute Teaching as a Certification Pathway

Most people think of substitute teaching as a dead-end side gig. In Delaware, it can be a legitimate route to full certification — if you meet the requirements. The state's "91 Days in Lieu of Student Teaching" rule lets long-term substitutes bypass the traditional unpaid student teaching requirement that stops many career changers from pursuing certification.

This matters because traditional student teaching means 10+ weeks of full-time, unpaid work in someone else's classroom. For career changers with mortgages and families, that's not feasible. The 91-day substitute route lets you earn a paycheck while building the classroom experience the state requires.

The 91-Day Rule

To use the substitute teaching equivalency, you need all of the following:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution (any field — it doesn't have to be education)
• Passing scores on the relevant Praxis II content exam for the subject you want to teach
• 91 days of continuous long-term substitute teaching in a single assignment, completed within the preceding three years
• Satisfactory evaluations from the school where you completed the 91 days

The "single assignment" requirement is strict. You can't cobble together 91 days from different schools or different classrooms within the same school. It must be one continuous placement — typically covering for a teacher on extended leave.

One important limitation: the 91-day route is restricted to non-core subject areas. It cannot be used for elementary education or special education certification. If you're targeting those areas, the ARTC program is your alternative to traditional student teaching.

Basic Substitute Requirements

Even without the 91-day certification pathway, substitute teaching in Delaware has its own set of requirements. Under House Bill 97, substitutes serving 12 or more consecutive weeks in a single school now need a permit issued by the DDOE. Short-term substitutes (under 12 weeks) at a single school are exempt from the permit requirement.

All substitutes must complete the standard background clearance package: fingerprint criminal background check through IdentoGO, Child Protection Registry check through DSCYF, and a TB test within the 12 months before classroom placement.

From Substitute to Certified Teacher

If you've completed your 91 days and passed the Praxis, the transition follows the standard certification process:

1. Create an EdAccess account and access DEEDS 3.0
2. Submit your application for an Initial License and Standard Certificate ($100 fee, credit card only)
3. Complete background clearances if not already current
4. Have your transcripts sent directly from your university
5. Have your 91-day evaluation documentation submitted by the school where you completed the assignment
6. Secure employment — your license activates when a district submits hiring verification

Pay Differences

The financial gap between substitute and certified teacher pay is significant. A Class C substitute earns $113 per day. A certified first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree earns approximately $253 per day on the state salary schedule — that's $46,851 annually on a 185-day contract.

That $140 daily difference means every day you spend substitute teaching instead of holding full certification costs you real money. Once you've logged your 91 days and passed the Praxis, getting your DEEDS application submitted quickly makes a measurable financial difference.

The Delaware Teacher Certification Guide maps the 91-day substitute route alongside traditional and ARTC pathways, with timeline trackers that help you convert your substitute experience into a full credential as fast as the state process allows.

See more Delaware guides →