Substitute Teacher / Minnesota
2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Substitute Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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

What the Minnesota data shows for Substitute Teachers

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

The initial price tag is $100 every 5 years. Minnesota doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Minnesota evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Substitute Teacher · Minnesota

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 Minnesota

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 Minnesota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Substitute Teacher in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota's requirements cover 2000 hours of education or training, a state exam, and an initial fee of $100. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Substitute Teacher in Minnesota? ▼
Certification as a substitute teacher in Minnesota means clearing the state's checklist: 2000 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Minnesota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Substitute Teacher license to Minnesota from another state? ▼
Out-of-state substitute teacher credentials get a case-by-case review in Minnesota rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Minnesota licensing board.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Substitute Teacher licensing? ▼
Minnesota does require a background check before issuing a substitute teacher license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this substitute teacher license

Substitute Teacher in Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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.