Short-Term Substitute Permit

The Short-Term Substitute Permit (Form 2S) allows individuals who do not hold a professional certificate to substitute teach day-to-day in any position for up to 30 days.  This permit is valid for three (3) years. 

Before You Apply

Verify with your employer which substitute form you should complete. Before completing Form 2S or any other substitute permit applications, you must:

• Receive approval of employment by a county school system.
• Complete the initial substitute training course through the county or through the WVLearns site.
• Be aware of the requirements to hold a Substitute Permit, including review of your official college or university transcript by the employing county.
• Hold the required degree for the type of permit you seek, with the required GPA, if applicable.

Applicant Requirements

General Requirements

To apply, you must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or hold eligible documentation (see Policy 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications).
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified.
• Have recommendation from your county superintendent.

Education Level

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Required Training

Select which option is best for you.

• Option 1: Eighteen clock hours of initial substitute teacher training approved by the employing county or through our eLearning platform.
• Option 2: Completion of a State Board of Education-approved clinical experience within one year of applying.
• Option 3: Have one of the following:
  • An expired West Virginia Professional Certificate.
  • A valid/expired Out-of-State Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate that has been expired less than five (5) years.

Application Submission

For instructions on how to apply for a license to work in West Virginia public schools, follow the steps detailed in the certification application process.

If this is your first time using our Certification Portal, you will need to register. Follow the instructions for first-time applicants. 

User Guides

• Applicant User Guide - Form 2S
• County User Guide - Form 2S

$35