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Substitute Teachers

Requirements, Pay and Training

We need you. Our students need you. Become a substitute teacher.

We’re hiring dedicated substitute teachers to support classrooms across the district. All applicants must complete a criminal background check. Once approved, you will be invited to a virtual orientation.

If you don’t hold a North Carolina teaching license, you’ll also need to complete one of the following training programs:

  • SubSkills Training Course: The $29.95 course titled SubSkills Training Course is the minimum requirement. You will see other course options listed titled SubSkills Plus and SubSkills Ultimate. These are additional options at a higher cost that also meet the requirement if you are interested in advanced modules.

  • Effective Teacher Training (ETT)

Questions? Email the Substitute Office at humanresourcessubs@wcpss.net or call either 919-533-7269 or 919-694-8260. When leaving a voicemail, please only do so at one of the provided phone numbers. 

When you’re ready to apply, follow the steps in the Application Process section below.

Pay rates and requirements

Certified Substitute – $142/day

  • Requires a current or expired teaching license from North Carolina or another state

  • Upload a copy of your license with your application

Non-Certified Substitute – $120/day

  • Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent

  • Must complete SubSkills Training Course and earn an 80% passing score or Effective Teacher Training (ETT) training and upload your certificate of completion with your application

  • Upload proof of diploma or GED with your application
    If your credentials are international, include an international education evaluation

You may complete SubSkills or ETT:

  • At a local community college, or

  • Online via STEDI.org (The cost of the SubSkills course is $29).

Important: We can only accept certificates if:

  • The course was purchased using the link above, or

  • The certificate was issued by another North Carolina school district for completion of the App-Garden/TransAct sub course.

Technical issues with SubSkills via STEDI.org?
Email info@stedi.org or call 1-800-922-4693 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MT. 

Student Teachers:
Instead of SubSkills or ETT, submit one of the following:

  • An unofficial transcript showing completion of student teaching and your college/university name and a reference from your cooperating teacher

  • A letter from your university confirming that your student teaching has been completed

Application process

New to WCPSS and Former WCPSS employees?

  1. Complete the Employment Application.

  2. Select “Daily Substitute Teacher” from the list of positions.
    Include at least one recent supervisory reference. Former employees should list their current supervisor and their last WCPSS principal. (Friends, family, and coworkers are not accepted.) Applicants who are unable to provide a current or recent supervisory reference should contact the Substitute Office for assistance at humanresourcessubs@wcpss.net.

  3. We will review your application, check references, and conduct a criminal background check.

  4. Next, you will be invited to complete substitute orientation. Effective Aug. 10, 2026, substitute orientation will move to a hybrid format that includes both and in-person orientation session and an online orientation component. 

  5. Approved subs will receive a welcome email. 

Already have an application on file? Log in to your existing application and add “Daily Substitute Teacher” to your postings.

Current WCPSS employees requesting a sub assignment

Traditional & Year-round calendar employees

  • Sub positions are limited during the summer.
  • 12-month employees are not eligible for a sub assignment.
  • Review the eligibility criteria listed above and submit this form to request a sub assignment. 
  • Your current principal/supervisor will receive an email from the Substitute Office to complete a reference form.
  • The Substitute Office processes requests as quickly as possible after you complete the form and your current principal/supervisor completes the reference form.
  • The Substitute Office will contact you when the sub assignment has been added to provide the next steps to begin subbing.