The current stage of distance education development demands enhancement of standards for training of teachers working in that area. Only professional teachers are able to provide quality education for people with different abilities, interests and needs, considering their personal characteristics and specifics of distance education. It is critically important to analyse the experience and professional qualities of teachers involved in distance learning given the uniqueness of the current situation and a high probability of transition to distance education. The study was focused on establishing the actual preparedness level of teachers for distance learning and identifying prerequisites for formation of teachers' readiness to provide students distance education.