Education Department

The New York City Department of Education is now accepting new substitute applications from individuals who are nominated via a principal’s on-line nomination. When a principal’s on-line nomination is received, a substitute nominee will be e-mailed information on how to access and complete an online application.

If the nominee is New York state certified, he/she may work only in the nominating school.  In order to be eligible to work in all schools, and be called by the Office of Sub Central, the certified candidate must complete a written and oral assessment and a short training program.  Information regarding this will be provided when the candidate appears for initial processing.

If a nominee is not New York state certified, he/she must successfully complete the Assessment and Training components to be eligible to begin working in the nominating school.  Uncertified candidates who do not successfully complete the assessment and training may not work as a substitute, even in the nominating school.  Those candidates successfully completing the assessment and training components will be eligible to work in all schools.

For both New York state certified and uncertified teacher nominees, invitations are e-mailed to be processed for an Occasional Per Diem Certificate (OPDC).  All details are emailed to potential nominees and candidates at various times during the processing.

Other important information:

• Individuals serving as Occasional Per Diem teachers do not receive benefits and are paid a per diem contractual rate for actual days worked.
• If an OPD teacher exceeds forty days of substitute service in one school year, the teacher is required to complete six credits of professional education courses unless all education requirements have already been met. These courses must be in accordance with an OPD Educational Plan that is created as a part of the process of becoming a substitute teacher. Renewal of the OPDC for the following school year is dependent upon the successful completion of the six credits of professional education courses by August 31 of the school year in which the forty days were exceeded.