Substitute Services

The following information is for substitute teaching through the districts under the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center only.  If you want to substitute for a district not under the North Central Ohio ESC, you will need to contact them directly.

Let's outline what is needed before Board approval to join our team of substitute teachers!

All candidates seeking their first Ohio educator license, certificate or permit must submit both Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and FBI criminal background checks. Your background checks must be no older than one year (365 days) at the time the Department issues your initial credential.  Additionally, everyone who holds a credential issued by the Ohio Department of Education must complete FBI background checks every five years. Please note that credential holders are responsible for obtaining required updated background checks within the five-year timeframe prescribed by law, even if the expiration date of a background check does not coincide with the expiration date of the Department-issued credential.

The North Central Ohio ESC fingerprints by walk-in and appointment at the Marion and Tiffin Offices. Please note that hours for background checks are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.  The cost is $30.00 for BCI and $30.00 for FBI. Please call our office about how to pay online.

If you have your fingerprints done elsewhere, you will need to make sure the results are sent electronically to the Ohio Department of Education and a copy sent to North Central Ohio ESC, 100 Executive Drive, Marion 43302 (if applying through the Marion Office) or North Central Ohio ESC, 928 West Market Street, Tiffin 44883 (if applying through the Tiffin Office).

A copy of a valid Ohio teaching or substitute teaching license must be on file at North Central Ohio Educational Service Center. You apply for the license through the Ohio Department of Education. The links to directly access the CORE User Manual to learn how to apply for your substitute license and the link to apply are provided below.

However, here are the steps to apply and the information you will need for the application.

Upload official transcript(s) (front and back) to ODE. Grade reports are not accepted.

1. Go to Ohio Department of Education Home Page – https://education.ohio.gov/
2. Select the LOGIN icon located in the top right-hand corner. 
3. Select the ALL OTHER USERS option. On this screen, you create or log into your account through OH/ID
4. PORTAL.
5. If this is the first time to access OH|ID you will select CREATE ACCOUNT. You will need a valid email address to create your account.
6. Login using your newly created account or existing account.
7. Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) App.
8. Go to My Credentials – Apply for NEW Credential
9. Choose effective year.   Licenses run July 1^st to June 30^th no matter what time of year you apply. 
10. Valid in Organization:  123257 - North Central Ohio ESC- Seneca – Select
11. Start application process
12. Superintendent Signature - North Central Ohio ESC – Select
13. Review and Submit Application
14. Pay and Submit Application

Transcripts are not required if applying for Non-Bachelor license.

1. Go to Ohio Department of Education Home Page – https://education.ohio.gov/
2.  Select the LOGIN icon located in the top right-hand corner.  ‘
3. Select the ALL OTHER USERS option. On this screen, you create or log into your account through OH/ID PORTAL.
4. If this is the first time to access OH|ID you will select CREATE ACCOUNT. You will need a valid email address to create your account.
5. Login using your newly created account or existing account.
6. Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) App.
7. Go to My Credentials – Apply for NEW Credential
8. Choose effective year.   Licenses run July 1^st to June 30^th no matter what time of year you apply. 
9. Valid in Organization:  123257 - North Central Ohio ESC- Seneca – Select
10. Start application process
11. Superintendent Signature - North Central Ohio ESC – Select
12. Review and Submit Application
13. Pay and Submit Application