South Carolina Teacher Certification Renewal
Learn how to renew a Professional Educator Certification or reinstate a Professional Educator Certification in South Carolina
Teaching Certification Renewal
Your initial South Carolina teaching certificate is valid for three years. In order to move up to a Professional Certificate, you must meet the requirements of your school district’s ADEPT formal evaluation. Once this data is submitted electronically by your school district to the Office of Educator Certification, your certification status will automatically be changed to Professional.
Your Professional Certificate is valid for five years and expires on June 30 of its expiration year. For recertification (renewal), you must complete 120 renewal credits related to your professional growth plan. This applies whether or not you are employed in a South Carolina school. If you do not hold a master’s degree, at least 60 of these credits must be at the graduate level, earned at a regionally accredited college/university with a graduate teacher education program.
Renewal Options for Expired Professional Certificates
If your South Carolina teaching certificate has been expired for less than five years, you may submit a written request to the Office of Educator Services to have it renewed for one year. This yearlong period will give you time to fulfill all requirements for a Professional Certificate. That request should be mailed to the Office of Educator Services, South Carolina Department of Education, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223.
If your certificate expired more than five years, but fewer than ten years ago, a school district can write to the Office of Educator Certification to request a one-year renewal, during which time you are expected to complete requirements necessary for a Professional Certificate. If your certificate expired more than 10 years ago, you must re-apply for an Initial Certificate. For more information, contact South Carolina State Department of Education Office of Educator Certification, Recruitment and Preparation at 803-896-0325.
