All teaching, substitute licenses and educational aide permits are issued by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). (long term, short term and educational aide permit)
The ESC-COG Substitute Consortium hires substitutes to take the place of regular teachers absent on account of illness or leaves of absence, or to temporarily fill positions created by emergencies. The employment of a substitute teacher may be discontinued whenever such services are no longer needed. Persons employed as a substitute teacher must possess proper licensure for the grade and subject taught or must have substitute license for either short term (up to five consecutive days in same assignment) or a long term license.
A copy of your valid ODE teaching or substitute license must be attached to your the e-forms or on the annual substitute renewal application with the ESC-COG.
An educator who has a license from ODE may access a copy of their license through their SAFE account that resides online within the ODE CORE system.
What is SAFE?
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) launched the Security Application For Enterprise (SAFE) Web portal in May, 2003. SAFE is a Web Portal and a "single sign on" software security solution for ODE customers.
How do I get a SAFE account?
The SAFE sign-up procedure is automated and authenticates users by leveraging real-time Ohio driver license and Ohio identification data. Please use this link to initiate the identity authentication and sign-up process:
* Educators working under substitute licenses are not required to develop an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) and do not work through the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC).
* Substitutes who are credentialed teachers must work directly with the Ohio Department of Education to renew their teacher license through their SAFE account.
* How to apply through the Ohio Department of Education step-by-step for a New Substitute Teaching License.
* How to Renew a License through the Ohio Department of Education
A short term substitute license may be issued to the holder of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education. An individual holding a short-term substitute license may teach in a given classroom for no more than five days. For periods longer than five days, an individual with a long-term substitute license must be employed.
A long-term substitute license may be issued to the holder of a baccalaureate degree who has evidence of appropriate coursework as follows:
* Early Childhood (preK to Grade 3) – 12 semester hours in professional early childhood education.
* Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) – 20 semester hours in EACH subject requested.
* Adolescence to Young Adult (Grades 7-12) – 20 semester hours in EACH subject requested.
* Multi-Age (preK to Grade 12) – 20 semester hours in EACH subject requested.
* Licenses in integrated content areas – applicant must show evidence of an appropriate distribution of coursework. Example: for a license in integrated science, applicant must have coursework in life science, earth science, physics and chemistry.
* Intervention Specialist (either preK to Grade 12 or K-12, depending upon specific area) – 12 semester hours in special education. This license may be issued only as a one-year license, new or renewal. When renewing this substitute license, the applicant must have an additional six semester hours in a program leading to intervention specialist licensure.
* Pupil Services Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired – the district e-signer must verify with his or her electronic signature in the online license system that the applicant has the necessary skills to serve in the capacity of educational interpreter.
* Career-Tech Workforce Development – The district e-signer must verify with his or her electronic signature in the online license system that the applicant has the necessary skills and/or education to serve in the teaching field requested. Note: License areas are outlined in Ohio Revised Code 3301-23-44 (D) (2) (a) through (e).
Substitutes holding a teaching license or who have long-term substitute licenses are eligible to substitute in a position for absences of indefinite duration provided the absence is in a subject area and/or grade level consistent with the substitute license or teacher credentials.
Minimum Education Requirement:
Substitute Teacher - Valid Teaching license (or long term or short term substitute license is acceptable) issued by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Bachelor’s Degree
Substitute Nurse - Ohio Board of Nursing license and ODE short term substitute teaching license for RN or Educational Aide Permit for LPN from Ohio Department of Education.
Substitute Sign Language Interpreter- Associate’s Degree in American Sign Language
Substitute Teacher’s Assistant or Paraprofessional - High School Diploma or GED. Must obtain Educational Aide Permit from Ohio Department of Education.