OAR 584-210-0140: Substitute Teaching License

(1) Purpose of the License: The Substitute Teaching License is a license that permits a qualified individual to substitute teach in a prekindergarten through grade 12 Oregon public school district, education service districts, and charter school assignments to replace a teacher who is temporarily unable to work. (2) Term of Licensure: The Substitute Teaching License is valid for three years and may be renewed continuously as provided by subsection (6) of this rule. The date of the first expiration of the license is three years from the date of issue plus time to the applicant’s birthday. (3) Assignment Authorization: The Substitute Teaching License is valid for substitute teaching assignments in any Oregon school district, including education service districts. The length of the substitute teaching assignment is limited as follows: (a) The length of any one assignment may not exceed one academic school year; (b) If the length of any one assignment must exceed one academic school year, one of the following must occur: (A) If the educator holding the Substitute Teaching License previously held a non-provisional license appropriate for the assignment, the previous license must be reinstated. (B) If the educator holding the Substitute Teaching License did not previously hold a non-provisional license appropriate for the assignment, the applicant and sponsoring district may apply for an Emergency Teaching License as provided for in OAR 584-210-0130, Emergency Teaching License. (i) The Executive Director may approve the Emergency Teaching License upon proof of the district’s emergency and may only issue the license for the amount of time to cover the emergency. (ii) The Emergency Teaching License may permit the educator to teach for time beyond the allowed timelines stated in subsection (3)(a) of this rule. (iii) In all cases, the Emergency Teaching License may not extend beyond the end of the school year for which the Emergency Teaching License was issued. (iv) Upon the expiration of the Emergency Teaching License as provided in this subsection, the applicant must qualify for a non-provisional teaching license with all required endorsements or may apply to reinstate the Substitute Teaching License if the educator is no longer working in a long-term assignment. (4) Sanctions: The Commission may sanction the teacher or assigning administrator or both for failure to meet the following: (a) The requirements for purpose of the Substitute Teaching License as provided in subsection (1) of this rule; or (b) The requirements for length of assignment of the Substitute Teaching License as provided in subsection (3) of this rule. (5) Qualifications: To be eligible to apply for a Substitute Teaching License, the applicant must: (a) Possess the personal qualifications for licensure including attainment of at least eighteen years of age and possessing good moral character and mental and physical health necessary for employment as an educator; (b) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an Approved Institution in the United States, or the foreign equivalent of such degree approved by the Commission. A master’s degree or a doctoral degree from an Approved Institution in the United States validates a non-regionally accredited bachelor's degree for licensure; (c) Provide documentation of one of the following: (A) A valid and active non-provisional teaching license from another NASDTEC jurisdiction valid for unrestricted full time teaching assignments; or (B) Admission to and completion of an Oregon teacher preparation program approved by the Commission that resulted in eligibility for a non-provisional Oregon teaching license; (d) Obtain a passing score on a Commission-adopted test of knowledge of U.S. and Oregon civil rights and professional ethics; (e) Complete a background clearance that includes: (A) Furnishing fingerprints, if required; (B) Providing satisfactory responses to character questions in the form and manner prescribed by the Commission; and (f) Submit a complete and correct application in the form and manner required by the Commission, including payment of all required fees as provided in OAR 584-200-0050. (6) Renewal Requirements: To be eligible for renewal of the Substitute Teaching License, an applicant must submit a complete and correct application in the form and manner required by the Commission, including payment of all required fees as provided in OAR 584-200-0050.