Substitute teachers must have a substitute certificate or teaching certificate. Arizona law requires that to be eligible for a certificate, the candidate must have at least a bachelor's degree in any subject. Official transcripts are required before a substitute teacher is hired. The law also stipulates that a candidate have a photocopy of a valid IVP (Identity Verified Prints) fingerprint card. Once obtained, the certificate is valid for six years.
Substitute teachers are protected against discrimination. No school district can discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief. There is also a retaliation law that makes it illegal to discriminate against people who have filed discrimination lawsuits. Some school districts, such as Tuscon Unified, have sexual orientation anti-discrimination laws.
Abuse of teachers is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor that can result in a maximum penalty of a fine of $500 and/or 30 days in jail. Anyone who knowingly abuses a teacher (including substitutes) on school grounds while she's performing her duties will be arrested.
All teachers, including substitutes, must hold students accountable for bad behavior, take attendance, decide if a student passes or fails a grade (applies to long-term substitutes) and comply with the rules and policies of the governing board of the school district.