Educator certificates are issued to school psychologists either as an Internship certificate or a Professional certificate. The Internship certificate is issued to individuals currently serving the required internship component of their school psychology program in a South Carolina public school district. The Professional certificate is issued to individuals that have completed an approved program for the preparation of school psychologists.
Professional Certificate
To qualify for a Professional certificate, the applicant must hold a master’s degree or higher and have completed an approved program for the preparation of school psychologists, hold a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential, or hold a valid standard out of state educator credential.
A school psychologist applying for an educator certificate must:
- Create a user account in My SC Educator Portal and then complete a Standard Application prior to all other procedures;
- Submit the non-refundable application processing fee of $105 online through My SC Educator Portal;
- Complete the fingerprinting process and criminal records review:
- Specific instructions for completing the fingerprinting process through the state-approved vendor will be available in the Educator Portal only after you submit the online application. Fingerprinting completed for another state, agency, or purpose cannot be used to determine eligibility for issuance of an educator certificate in South Carolina;
- Submit one of the following verifications of an approved program for the preparation of school psychologists:
- A College Recommendation Form for Service & Leadership Fields signed by the designated official at the institution where a school psychologist program was completed or
- A current, valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential issued by the National Association of School Psychologists or
- A current, valid standard out of state educator credential or
- A current, valid license in School Psychology issued by a state board of psychology or licensing authority that allows an individual to serve as a school psychologist in public school settings in that state;
- Submit an official transcript from each regionally accredited college/university attended;
- If applicable, submit an Experience Verification Form completed by each employer where educator or school psychologist experience has been earned; and
- Submit official score reports verifying passing scores on an approved subject knowledge assessment.
- Note: an applicant who submits a valid NCSP credential does not need to document a qualifying score on the subject knowledge assessment.
Internship Certificate
Individuals must have a conferred master’s degree or have completed graduate semester hours equivalent to a master’s degree to qualify for issuance of an Internship certificate.
An Internship certificate applicant must:
- Create a user account in My SC Educator Portal and then complete a Standard Application prior to all other procedures;
- Submit the non-refundable $105 application processing fee online through My SC Educator Portal;
- Complete the fingerprinting process and criminal records review:
- Specific instructions for completing the fingerprinting process through the state-approved vendor will be available in the Educator Portal only after you submit the online application. Fingerprinting completed for another state, agency, or purpose cannot be used to determine eligibility for issuance of an educator certificate in South Carolina;
- Submit an official transcript from each college or university attended; and
- Request the college or university program submit a letter to the Office of Educator Services verifying the applicant’s enrollment in the program. The letter must specify that the applicant is working towards professional certification as a school psychologist and that the internship is being serviced through a program that is approved by the state of jurisdiction for educator certification of school psychologists.
Upon successful completion of the internship year, the Internship certificate may be advanced to the Professional certificate. The certificate holder must submit the following to initiate the advancement:
Internship certificate holders who need additional time to complete their program’s internship component beyond the initial school year may qualify for a second Internship certificate. To qualify, the program provider must submit a letter to the Office of Educator Services verifying that the individual will continue to be a full-time student in the program during the second year.
