Minimum Requirements for Substitute License
Official transcripts showing 48 semester hours of college education (72 quarter hours)
Successful background check with ESPB
How to Apply for License
Click on ND Teach Apply Online
Submit your online application for the Interim Substitute Teaching license
Do NOT submit a permit application.
Get official transcripts to ESPB
Paper applications are available if you call 701-328-9641.
Fingerprinting
Print Fingerprint Instructions from ESPB Website
Pages 3 and 4 need to be completed and returned to ESPB with your cards and a money order or cashier’s check for $44.50.
ND uses ink fingerprints. If you are not in ND and need us to mail you fingerprint cards, please call us at 701-328-9641.
Substitute License Fees
One Time ESPB Application Fee $30.00 (paid on-line)
Fingerprinting Fee $44.50 (paid with money order or cashier’s check)
Substitute License for two years $85.00 (paid on-line)
Total: $159.50
Substitute License Restrictions
You may not sign a teaching contract or be the Teacher of Record while on a substitute teaching license.
If you have not earned a bachelor’s degree, you will be limited to 30 consecutive days in the same classroom.
Substitute License Timelines
Once ESPB gets your fingerprint cards, background check forms, and money order/cashier’s check, it takes approximately 3-4 weeks to get results back.
You will get an email when your background check results have been entered.
Once your application status moves to “approval” it generally takes a couple days for the license to be issued.
You’ll get another email when the license is issued and instructions on how to print your license.
Then you’ll need to contact the district(s) where you’d like to substitute teach and follow their procedures to get signed up to substitute teach.
Had a teaching license in ND that expired?
If your teaching license expired more than 5 years ago, you can apply for a Re-Entry license with just a new background check
Or you could apply for a substitute teaching license with a new background check. All teaching content is removed from the teaching license when moving to a sub license.
Alternate Access License
Have a bachelor’s degree in a content area you want to teach?
If a school needs a teacher in your content area and they can’t find a fully qualified applicant, they could request this license for you.
You could have up to three years to complete education coursework.
Questions?
Call or email ESPB
701-328-9641
espbinfo@nd.gov
We thank you for your interest in teaching in North Dakota!