Substitute Teacher / Michigan
2026 data Michigan board official source

Michigan Substitute Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Fills in for absent teachers. Requirements range from diploma to license.

What the Michigan data shows for Substitute Teachers

Becoming a licensed substitute teacher in Michigan means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,000 training hours, a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a background history check. Michigan regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Degree".

Budget $100 to get started on a 5-year cycle. Michigan doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Michigan handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Substitute Teacher · Michigan

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Michigan

Education / Training Hours
Degree
2,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Substitute Teacher All Michigan licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Michigan licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Substitute Teacher in Michigan? ▼
In Michigan, the license path calls for 2000 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $100 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Substitute Teacher in Michigan? ▼
Certification as a substitute teacher in Michigan means clearing the state's checklist: 2000 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Michigan licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Substitute Teacher license to Michigan from another state? ▼
Out-of-state substitute teacher credentials get a case-by-case review in Michigan rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Michigan licensing board.
Does Michigan require a background check for Substitute Teacher licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for substitute teacher licensing in Michigan. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this substitute teacher license

Substitute Teacher in Michigan is one requirement row in a substitute teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Michigan licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.