How to Become a Substitute Teacher
Step 1: Get Your ISBE License ⬇†
Step 2: Apply to Be a Substitute Teacher ⬇†
Step 3: Accept Your Offer and Onboard ⬇†
Step 4: Accept Your First Assignment ⬇†
Step 1: Substitutes must be Licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Order of Events/Timeline:
Obtain an official copy of your college transcripts
Complete ISBE application online at isbe.net/licensure ($50 is needed to process your application)
Once your license is issued, register it in “Region 15 - City of Chicago” to be valid ($10 per year is needed to register your license)
Average time to obtain and register license once all documents are submitted: 1-2 Weeks
Inside Tip - The state is currently offering to reimburse your application fee once you work ten days as a substitute.
Step 2: Apply to Be a Substitute Teacher
This one’s easy. You’ll share your contact and background information with us, and we’ll check your licensure status. From there, we will invite you to interview. We host interviews every week and our goal is to get to know you better, fast.
Average time to apply and complete the interview process: 1-2 Weeks
Step 3: Accept Your Offer and Complete Your Onboarding
After your interview, we will contact you to let you know the results. If we think it’s a great match, we’ll send you instructions and launch your onboarding!
You will need to complete your onboarding tasks using the forms provided by CPS within the CPS Taleo portal including…
Complete Background check/fingerprinting request ($50)
Complete TB test ($20)
Complete Drug test ($30)
Schedule a meeting with our CPS staffing services office to go over I-9 eligibility documents
Please note - if you have completed a fingerprint or TB test in the past, you may need to complete these checks again, in compliance with state law. Contact our Staffing team if you have additional questions.
Average time to complete: 1-2 Weeks
Step 4: Welcome to our team!
Once you’ve completed onboarding and been cleared to start… your schedule is up to you. You can read through the handbook for substitute teachers and accept your first assignment on Frontline right away.
We’ll see you in class!
Join us as a Substitute Employee
Thank you for your interest in joining our team! CPS is actively hiring substitute teachers and support staff to support students and schools across the district.
Choose where and when you work, and earn incentives for assignments across the city. Serving as a Substitute Teacher or Paraprofessional is a great way to get to know different school communities and get your foot in the door for future full-time employment.
Working as a substitute teacher or substitute paraprofessional is also a great fit for college students on breaks, caregivers looking for flexible work, and people looking for consistent, daily or full-time options.
How to Become a Substitute Classroom Assistant
Step 1: Get Your ISBE License ⬇†
Step 2: Apply to Be a Substitute Classroom Assistant ⬇†
Step 3: Accept Your Offer and Onboard ⬇†
Step 4: Accept Your First Assignment ⬇†
Step 1: Substitute Paraprofessionals must be Licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Order of Events/Timeline:
Obtain an official copy of your college transcripts, showing 60 hours of college credit
If you don’t have 60 college credits, you can take an exam instead. More information is on ISBE’s website about alternative options.
Complete ISBE application online for a Paraprofessional license at isbe.net/licensure ($100 is needed to process your application)
Once your license is issued, register it in “Region 15 - City of Chicago” to be valid ($10 per year is needed to register your license)
Average time to obtain and register license once all documents are submitted: 1-2 Weeks
Inside Tip - A paraprofessional license allows you to work as a substitute or full time classroom aide!
Step 2: Apply to Be a Substitute Paraprofessional
This one’s easy. You’ll share your contact and background information with us, and we’ll check your licensure status. From there, we will invite you to interview. We host interviews every week and our goal is to get to know you better, fast.
Average time to apply and complete the interview process: 1-2 Weeks
Step 3: Accept Your Offer and Complete Your Onboarding
After your interview, we will contact you to let you know the results. If we think it’s a great match, we’ll send you instructions and launch your onboarding!
You will need to complete your onboarding tasks using the forms provided by CPS within the CPS Taleo portal including…
Complete Background check/fingerprinting request ($50)
Complete TB test ($20)
Complete Drug test ($30)
Schedule a meeting with our CPS staffing services office to go over I-9 eligibility documents
Please note - if you have completed a fingerprint or TB test in the past, you may need to complete these checks again, in compliance with state law. Contact our Staffing team if you have additional questions.
Average time to complete: 1-2 Weeks
Step 4: Welcome to our team!
Once you’ve completed onboarding and been cleared to start… your schedule is up to you. You can read through the handbook for substitute staff and accept your first assignment on Frontline right away.
We’ll see you soon!
Are you interested in working for CPS as a full time Substitute Teacher?
CPS has both Day to Day and Full Time Substitute Teachers.
Day to Day Substitute Teachers enjoy great flexibility. They choose when and where they work. They are paid per day of service. We ask that Day to Day Substitutes work at least once every 120 days to remain active in our system. Day to Day Substitutes are not benefits eligible and do not receive paid time off.
Full Time Substitute Teachers are called “Cadre” Substitutes. These staff members commit to working at least 3 days per week, every week of the school year. They earn a higher daily rate of pay, and are eligible for benefits and paid time off. Cadre Substitutes may work at one school continuously. They must accept assignments provided by the CPS Talent Office.
Greater Impact, Greater Rewards - CPS Core Cadres
CPS began offering an opportunity for full time Substitute Teachers to serve as Core Cadres in the 2023-2024 school year.
We are currently fully staffed with Core Cadres, but please join us as a substitute teacher and connect with a member of our team if this is something that interests you in the future.
What makes our Core Cadres special?
Stable, Committed Assignments - Core Cadre Substitutes become part of school communities with long term monthly assignments. You know the students, the schedule and the staff, bringing stability to your daily work. Core Cadre Substitutes are committed to working each day in their assigned location, providing critical support to schools and students.
Incentivized Compensation - Core Cadres are the highest paid substitute teachers in the district. Core Cadres earn between $250 and $300 per day, depending on your educational background. And, you qualify for single health benefits, single holiday, winter and spring break pay. All in, your salary approaches $50,000. (And don’t forget, that’s with guaranteed weekends and summer off!)
Serve in Your Community - Core cadre subs work within one geographic network and commit to serving students in their neighborhood. You don’t have to worry about traveling all over Chicago; you’ll be assigned to a school near you.
Retired CPS Teachers
Thank you for your years of service to the district! If you’d like to continue working with us part time as a substitute teacher, we offer an expedited pathway to return to the classroom.
If you retired within the last 90 days, and you have received your first pension check, please email our Substitute Services team and request the Retired Substitute Teacher Registration Form.
If retired more than 90 days ago, you can apply directly to be a Substitute Teacher as a Retiree.
Are you interested in substituting in other roles?
Apply today to work in roles that support students in a variety of ways, with a schedule that fits you.
Want to Know More?
Have a specific question?
Send it over.
Frequently Asked Questions for Substitute Teachers
Do Substitute Teachers need to have a License?
Yes. Substitute teachers need to hold a valid, registered license through the Illinois State Board of Education. CPS accepts the Short Term Substitute License, regular Substitute License, and Professional Educator Licenses (with or without Stipulations). More information can be found at isbe.net/licensure.
Do Substitute Teachers need to live in city of Chicago?
No. Day to Day substitutes may live outside the city.
How long will it take me to hear back from CPS?
Our goal is to connect with all candidates within one week of application submission. If you are not yet qualified to substitute teach, please attain a license from the Illinois State Board of Education first. Due to state law, we prioritize interviewing candidates who are licensed.
I already did a TB test or Background Check for CPS. Can I use that to be hired as a Substitute Teacher?
It depends. If your test results are with the last 90 days, we may be able to use them. Please check with our team.
How do Substitute Teachers receive assignments?
Frontline Absence Management is a software that shows daily and long term substitute assignments. Typically Substitutes may go online and select the assignments that they are interested in covering, in advance. You may also choose to get phone calls daily that offer assignments to you. We try to make it as easy as possible for you to get to work.
How much do Substitute Teachers make?
Depending on the ISBE license held and background, substitutes make different amounts. For the 2022-2023 school year…
Short Term Substitute License = $116 per day
Substitute Teacher License = $133 per day
Professional Educator License = $180 per day
I received an offer to join CPS as a Substitute. What should I do next?
Congratulations! Please complete the onboarding tasks outlined in your offer email so we can get you working with students soon.
ISBE has issued my license but it’s not valid yet. What should I do?
Log in to your ELIS account with ISBE, and register your license with Region 15 - City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools. Once your license is registered, you will be eligible for employment with CPS.
How can I get ISBE to reimburse my application fee?
Once you have worked for 10 school days, you can apply on ISBE’s website to reimburse your application fee.
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