Become a Substitute Teacher
Looking for a flexible and rewarding job? CPS is actively hiring substitute teachers and substitute support staff.
Choose when and where you work, earn incentives for assignments, gain valuable classroom experience, and make a positive impact.
Serving as a Substitute Teacher or Substitute Paraprofessional is a great way to experience different school communities and springboard into full-time employment. These roles are also a great fit for college students on break, caregivers looking for flexible work, and those looking for consistent, daily or full-time options. Join us and teach on your terms!
Become a Substitute Teacher
Apply for Your ISBE License
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Substitute Teachers
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Retired CPS Teachers
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APPLY FOR YOUR ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (ISBE) LICENSE
Paraprofessional License (PARA) - Associates’ Degree/60 college credit hours
At least 19 years of age to serve students in prekindergarten through grade 12
Valid for 5 years
Registration with Region 15 (City of Chicago) required
Renewable
Candidates who hold a Paraprofessional License AND a bachelor’s degree are eligible to substitute teach
Short Term Substitute License (STS) - Associate's degree/60 college credit hours
Valid for substitute teaching in all grades - pre kindergarten through 12
Available for application through June 30, 2028
Short-term Substitute Licenses are valid for 5 years
NOT renewable
Substitute Teacher License (SUB) - Bachelor's degree from an accredited, four-year college or university
Valid for substitute teaching in all grades - pre kindergarten through 12
Substitute licenses are valid for 5 years
Registration with Region 15 (City of Chicago) required
Renewable
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Candidate Requirements
Holds a bachelor's degree from an accredited, four-year college or university OR has 60 college credit hours
Holds the required license
Substitute Teacher License (bachelor’s degree)
Paraprofessional License with a Bachelor’s Degree
Short Term Substitute Teacher License (60 college credit hours)
Professional Educator License (certified teacher)
License is Registered with REGION 15
Pay Rates
Short Term Substitute License (STS) substitutes earn $125.01/day
Substitute Teacher License (SUB) substitutes earn $143.43/day
Professional Educators License (PEL) substitutes earn $193.66/day
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.
Candidate Requirements
Must be a retired Chicago Public School Teacher
Must have retired from CPS in good standing
Must hold a valid, registered Professional Educators License issued by the Illinois State Board of Education OR a valid
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 you retired more than 90 days ago, you can apply directly to be a Substitute Teacher as a retiree under the retired substitute teacher position.
If you have retired from a school district other than Chicago Public Schools - District 299, please apply under the regular substitute teacher position.
Pay Rates
Substitute Teacher License (SUB) substitutes earn $143.43/day
Professional Educators License (PEL) substitutes earn $193.66/day
Learn More about Substitute Opportunities
Special Education Classroom Assistants (SECA)
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Substitute Clerks
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Contact Us
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SUBSTITUTE SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM ASSISTANT
A Special Education Classroom Assistant is often referred to as a SECA.
Candidate Requirements
Candidate must hold one of the required licenses listed below:
Short Term Approval (STA) - High School diploma and 19 years of age
Paraprofessional License (PARA) - (issued with one of the following)
Associate’s degree from a college or university accredited or at least sixty (60) semester hours of college credit at a college or university
You may take the ACT WorkKeys test (must score 4 or higher)
You may take the ETC ParaPro Assessment (must score 460 or higher)
Substitute Teacher License (SUB) - Bachelor’s degree
Professional Educator License (PEL) - Certified Teacher
Pay Rates for Substitute SECA
All substitute SECA roles earn $27.14 per hour ($196.76 per day) - this includes Short Term Approval (STA) Sub SECAs, Paraprofessional License (PARA) Sub SECAs, Substitute Teacher License (SUB) Sub SECAs, and Professional Educators License (PEL) Sub SECAs.
Sub SECAs who work 3 - 5 days a week consecutively for 6 months qualify for single health insurance.
SUBSTITUTE CLERK and SUBSTITUTE BILINGUAL CLERK
Everyday Sub-Clerks provide:
Excellent customer service as they greet and direct visitors and stafF
Schedule appointments for administrators
Manage the school office
A substitute school clerk has a high school diploma, GED equivalent or higher. There is no guarantee of daily employment
Substitute Clerks do not receive benefits.
Substitute Clerks are paid $17.09 per hour for 7.25 hours of work
SUBSTITUTE RECRUITMENT CONTACT INFORMATION
(773) 553-1010
Mailing Address:
Chicago Public Schools
Talent Office, Substitute Recruitment
42 West Madison
Chicago, IL 60602
Want to Know More?
Frequently Asked Questions for Substitute Teachers
Yes. Substitute teachers need to hold a valid, registered license through the Illinois State Board of Education. CPS accepts the Short Term Substitute License, Paraprofessional License with a Bachelor's degree, renewable Substitute Teacher License, and Professional Educator Licenses (with or without Stipulations). More information can be found at isbe.net/licensure.
Yes. Substitute SECAs need to hold a valid, registered license through the Illinois State Board of Education. CPS accepts the Short Term Approval License, Paraprofessional License. More information can be found at isbe.net/licensure.
No. Day to Day substitutes may live outside the city.
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.
ALL questions related to onboarding should be directed to Staffing Services. They can be reached via email at staffingservices@cps.edu.
It depends. If your test results are within the last 90 days, we may be able to use them. Please check with Staffing Services.
Frontline Absence Management (formerly AESOP) 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.
Substitute Teachers can only accept substitute teacher assignments. Substitute Special Education Classroom Assistants can accept both Substitute Special Education Classroom Assignments and Substitute Teacher Assistant assignments.
Congratulations! Please complete the onboarding tasks outlined in your offer email so we can get you working with students soon.
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.
Once you have worked for 10 school days, you can apply on ISBE’s website to reimburse your application fee.
