To assist prospective educators impacted by the closure of testing centers, the South Carolina Department of Education issued a Provisional certificate for the 2020-21 school year to eligible candidates. The purpose of the Provisional certificate was to provide a one-year, temporary certificate option for candidates who had successfully completed all requirements of a state-approved educator preparation program with the exception of one or more certification assessments required by the State Board of Education.
 
The following certificate maintenance options are available to educators that hold a school year Provisional certificate for the 2020-21 school year:

• Educators that submit qualifying scores on the required subject area and pedagogy assessments prior to June 30, 2021 will automatically have their Provisional certificate advanced to the Initial certificate level in July 2021.
  • The Initial certificate will be valid July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.
• Educators that attempt one or more the required assessments and submit official score reports by June 30, 2021 may receive an extension to their Provisional certificate validity for the 2021-22 school year at the request of an employing South Carolina public school district. 
  • The Provisional certificate will be valid July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
  • Extension requests from districts will not be accepted prior to May 1, 2021.
  • Educators employed on a Provisional certificate or that receive a Provisional certificate extension are not eligible to participate in a summative evaluation process.
• Educators that do not attempt one or more of the required assessments by June 30, 2021 will not be eligible for an extension to their Provisional certificate.  Educators holding an expired Provisional certificate may reapply for initial certification under current requirements once qualifying scores on the required subject area and pedagogy assessments are received.