Applying for Substitute Certificate

A $50 processing fee is required for the substitute certificate. You must have a current clear background check for your substitute teaching certificate to be issued.

1. Access the DESE Web Applications website.
2. Enter your User Name and Password.
3. If you have already created an Educator Profile, you must use the same User Name and Password.
4. If you have not created an Educator Profile, select “Register.”
5. Click “Educator Certification System” listed on the left column under Office of Educator Quality.
6. Click “Substitute Cert” listed on the left column under New Applications.
7. Verify your personal information and edit if necessary.
8. Verify your education information and edit if necessary.
9. Click “add” and complete the information using the drop down menus.
10. Click “save” after entering information.
11. Click “edit” if necessary for corrections.
12. Complete the yes/no boxes under Professional Conduct.
13. Click “Content Substitute” under Type of Application.
14. Click “I Accept” to release your educational information.
15. Click “Submit to DESE.”
16. Click “Log Out” on the left column of the page.
17. Check your “certification status” periodically. After you certificate has been issued, you can view and print your certificate through your Educator Profile by selecting “certification status.”

From the DESE Website:

Please Note: If you have not logged in to your certification account (online profile) in over 12 months, your profile may have been de-activated. If your account has been de-activated, please contact the Office of Data System Management at 573-522-3207.

• Certification website
• Educator Certification Help Guide
• Web Applications
• Contact: Certification at 573-751-0051