South Carolina (SC) public schools are recruiting new educators to meet the demand for qualified classroom professionals. The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDOE) governs the process for earning an educator credential, ensuring all teachers meet state standards. This guide details the specific steps, from academic preparation and required testing to the various routes and administrative procedures necessary to begin a teaching career in South Carolina.
Educational Requirements for Traditional Certification
The traditional pathway requires completing a program that integrates academic study with practical classroom experience. All candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. This degree must be part of a state-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), offered by an in-state institution or an out-of-state institution recognized by the SCDOE through reciprocity.
SCDOE-approved programs provide pedagogical knowledge aligned with South Carolina’s curriculum standards. A mandatory component is the supervised clinical experience, known as student teaching. This practical, in-classroom experience serves as the capstone, allowing candidates to apply theory under the guidance of a mentor teacher.
The program’s recommending official verifies that the candidate has successfully completed all academic, experiential, and testing components. This recommendation confirms the candidate is prepared for the profession and leads directly to the application for the Initial Certificate.
Required Certification Examinations
Prospective educators must demonstrate proficiency in core academic skills, content knowledge, and professional pedagogy by passing standardized examinations. The first requirement is the basic skills assessment, typically the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Praxis Core). This exam measures proficiency in reading (passing score 156), writing (158), and mathematics (150).
Candidates may be exempt from the Praxis Core if they achieve qualifying scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT). Next, candidates must pass a Praxis Subject Assessment corresponding to their intended teaching field. These content-specific tests ensure teachers possess the necessary depth of knowledge for their subject area.
The final component measures instructional knowledge through a professional pedagogy exam, often the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test. Alternatively, the SCDOE accepts successful completion of an approved performance assessment, such as the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT) or the edTPA. Passing all relevant examinations is a prerequisite for certification.
Understanding Certification Types and Initial Application
Upon meeting all requirements, candidates apply to the SCDOE for the Initial Certificate. This credential is the first step in the licensing structure, valid for three years, and is non-renewable. It serves as a temporary license while the new teacher works to earn the full Professional Certificate.
The application process is managed through the My SC Educator Portal. Applicants submit official transcripts and score reports directly from the testing agencies. Issuance of any certificate is contingent upon the successful completion of a state and federal criminal records check. This requires electronic fingerprinting through the state’s approved vendor.
Alternative Routes to South Carolina Certification
South Carolina offers structured pathways for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree but did not complete a traditional teacher education program. These routes address teacher shortages by attracting professionals with content expertise. Candidates are generally placed into a classroom as the teacher of record while simultaneously completing required professional training.
Program for Alternative Certification (PACE)
PACE is the state’s primary non-traditional route for degreed individuals with specific content knowledge. To qualify, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with a content area major or a major equivalent (a specific number of semester hours in the teaching subject). Applicants must pass the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessment before being admitted and securing employment.
Upon obtaining a Statement of Eligibility and securing a teaching position, the candidate receives an Alternative Route Certificate. The program requires a three-year commitment during which the teacher completes required graduate-level coursework, intensive training, and mentoring. Advancement to the Professional Certificate requires successful completion of the ADEPT formal evaluation process.
American Board Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)
ABCTE offers a national program recognized by South Carolina for initial certification in certain shortage areas. Candidates must pass two ABCTE exams: one covering subject area knowledge and one covering professional teaching knowledge. The ABCTE certificate allows the individual to apply for an Alternative Route License once they have secured a teaching position.
This pathway allows candidates to prepare for the exams before seeking employment. Once hired, the teacher is issued a license valid for up to three years. During this period, they must complete the state’s induction and evaluation requirements to transition to the Professional Certificate.
Other Specialized Programs
Other specialized routes address acute personnel needs, often focusing on specific content areas or geographic locations. Teach for America (TFA) places participants in high-need schools and provides a structured path toward certification, including required graduate coursework. Additionally, some districts utilize Adjunct Teaching Certification to hire individuals with vocational experience or specialized expertise.
Maintaining and Advancing Your License
The Initial Certificate is a temporary credential that must be upgraded to a Professional Certificate. This advancement typically occurs after three years of successful teaching experience. It requires the successful completion of the Assisting, Developing, and Evaluating Professional Teaching (ADEPT) summative evaluation process, which is managed by the employing school district. The ADEPT evaluation assesses the teacher’s performance and readiness for career-long certification.
The Professional Certificate is valid for five years and is renewable, provided the educator meets specific recertification requirements. To renew, a teacher must accrue a minimum of 120 renewal credits during the five-year period. Educators without a master’s degree must ensure that at least 60 of these credits are earned through graduate-level coursework from an accredited institution.
Additionally, all educators with a Professional Certificate expiring in 2020 or later must complete coursework for the appropriate Read to Succeed (R2S) endorsement. This requirement is designed to enhance literacy instruction across all grade levels and subject areas.
Finding Employment in South Carolina Schools
The job search process begins by utilizing the South Carolina Online Educator Employment System, maintained by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA). This system functions as the primary statewide job board, allowing candidates to search and apply for vacancies across public school districts.
Candidates with expertise in specific fields will find the greatest demand, as the state reports shortages in areas such as:
Special Education
Mathematics
Science
Computer Science
Certain Elementary Education positions
Focusing a job search on these high-need subject areas can increase employment prospects. While the SCDOE sets minimum salary guidelines, actual teacher salaries and benefits are determined individually by each school district. Prospective teachers should research the specific salary schedules for districts of interest, as compensation varies based on location, experience, and degree level.