Substitute Teacher / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island data shows for Substitute Teachers

Rhode Island's path to substitute teacher licensure runs through 2,000 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Rhode Island folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Degree".

Upfront cost is $100 on a 5-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Rhode Island, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Substitute Teacher · Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Substitute Teacher in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island licenses substitute teachers who complete its requirements (2000 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Can I transfer my Substitute Teacher license to Rhode Island from another state? ▼
There's no published blanket reciprocity rule for substitute teachers in Rhode Island - applications from other states are reviewed individually. Interstate licensing compacts cover many occupations and may still apply. Reach out to the Rhode Island licensing board for the current process.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Substitute Teacher licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for substitute teacher licensing in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.