Substitute Teacher / New York
2026 data New York board official source

New York Substitute Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the New York data shows for Substitute Teachers

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

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

There's no published reciprocity list here - New York reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Substitute Teacher · New York

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 New York

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Substitute Teacher in New York? ▼
New York'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 New York? ▼
New York licenses substitute teachers who complete its requirements (2000 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the New York licensing board.
Can I transfer my Substitute Teacher license to New York from another state? ▼
New York evaluates out-of-state substitute teacher licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the New York licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does New York require a background check for Substitute Teacher licensing? ▼
Yes, New York requires a criminal background check as part of the substitute teacher licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this substitute teacher license

Substitute Teacher in New York 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 New York 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.