South Carolina Initial Teacher Certification

South Carolina Initial Teacher Certification:

As a new educator in South Carolina, you will be earning a South Carolina Initial Teaching Certification.

The Initial Teacher's Certificate in South Carolina is valid for 3 years and may be renewed at the request of your employing, South Carolina School District.

If you have not completed a teacher education program and wish to receive your teaching certification prior to completing a teacher education program, you may be eligible to earn your license through a South Carolina Alternative Route to Certification.

• South Carolina Initial Certification:

Through the traditional route to certification, the certificate applicant must have completed a South Carolina Teacher Education Program.
The following are the requirements and steps needed to be taken in order to be qualified to apply for a South Carolina Educator License.

• Step 1:

  Request information from accredited institutions regarding Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programs. Teacher Preparation Programs.
  
• University of Phoenix
• Walden University
• Capella University
• Ashford University
• Walden University



• Step 2:

  The South Carolina Educator Certification Packet is not available for download, so you will have to request an application packet from the South Carolina Department of Education.
  

• Step 3:

  Complete the Federal Bureau of Investigation background investigation by completing the Fingerprinting cards and mailing them back to the South Carolina Department of Education with your application packet.
  Fingerprint Cards are included in the application packet that will be sent to you after requesting the packet.

• Step 4:

  You will need to submit passing scores from the required Teacher Competency Tests:
  • Praxis II Specialty Area Exams.
  • The Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT).
  Find out what tests are required for you, when they are given and where at the ETS website,
  

• Step 5:

  Provide Official Transcripts within your returned application packet. Copies or transcripts printed by yourself off the internet will not be accepted.
  

• Step 6:

  You will need to provide an application processing fee of $75 by check or money order and made payable to the "South Carolina Department of Education".
  



• Step 7:

  You will need to verify the completion of your teacher preparation program completion by having the "Verification of College Preparation: Recommendation for Teacher Certificate"completed by an official from your college or university.
  


Send materials to this address:
South Carolina Department of Education
Office of Educator Certification
Landmark II Office Building
3700 Forest Drive, Suite 500
Columbia, South Carolina 29204

Or contact the SCDOE by calling (803) 734-1418 or (803) 734-8466



• Step 8:

  Sit Back and Relax!

• Alternative Route to Teacher Certification:

The option for alternative certification in South Carolina allows the candidate to enter the classroom as a licensed educator prior to the completion of a teacher education program.

You will need to apply to be accepted in the Program for Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE). PACE is a 3 year program that will allow the enrolled candidate to be eligible for a professional South Carolina certification upon completion.

The Alternative Certification received through this avenue is valid for 1 year and can be renewed 2 times upon successful completion of the alternative program's requirements.

Learn more about eligibility requirements and steps for admission.

Back to South Carolina Teacher Certification/Credentialing
Or, Steps to become a teacher in South Carolina

Learn about the requirements of another state by clicking on one of the state certification links to your left.

Request information from schools by clicking on the links or school logos below.