Could You Be a Substitute Teacher in Iowa?

Yes, you could be a substitute teacher in Iowa if:

1. You have an Iowa teaching license in effect.
    
2. You have an Iowa substitute teaching license obtained after your teaching license expired.
    
3. You have an Iowa substitute teaching authorization because you have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited educational institution, completed an Iowa board of educational examiners–approved substitute authorization program, passed both an Iowa division of criminal investigation and a national background check, and are over 21 years of age.
    
4. You have an Iowa substitute teaching authorization because you have completed an approved paraeducator certification program, hold a paraeducator certificate, have completed an Iowa board of educational examiners–approved substitute authorization program, have passed both an Iowa division of criminal investigation and a national background check, and are over 21 years of age.  However, the substitute authorization extends only to you, a paraeducator, if you work in the special education classroom where you are assigned to substitute.

If you have a substitute teaching license, you may, in one teaching assignment, teach up to 90 days at any level.

If you have substitute teaching authorization and a baccalaureate degree, you may teach, in one teaching assignment, up to 5 days in middle school, junior high, or high school.

Source:  Iowa Department of Education