How do you become an online tutor?

Becoming an online tutor can be as simple as posting an ad on Craigslist.org or a gig on Fiverr.com advertising tutoring services. Professional, dedicated online tutoring sites such as Tutor.com and TutorVista.com often have a rigorous application and screening process including background checks and knowledge assessments.

To post an ad on Craigslist, first create an account. Create a post in which you explicitly discuss tutoring services, hours and prices. Indicate whether you are offering general tutoring or tutoring that pertains to a specific subject in the post's headline. Remember to re-post the listing often so that users will view it frequently.

Tutoring through Fiverr requires the creation of a Fiverr account. All jobs on the site start at $5, but you can assign extra fees for particularly involved projects. Simply create a gig stating the subject area that you can tutor and wait until another Fiverr user places an order. Once the order is complete, the site delivers the money to a PayPal account.

Applying to tutor online through Tutor.com does not require any fees, but there is a three-week waiting period while the company screens you. While applicants can choose to tutor in any field, multi-disciplinary tutors are encouraged. To prove competency in a subject, the site requires you to complete an exam.

TutorVista requires a resume and cover letter detailing tutoring qualifications and areas of interest. While the site is highly selective, those chosen can choose between part- and full-time schedules between four to nine hours per day. However, these hours are specific, so you have no flexibility regarding when to complete the tutoring. Additionally, most of the 45-minute tutoring sessions take place during the evening or night time, as the site serves both the United States and the United Kingdom.