Each individual employed in an instructional, classroom teaching position or who serves in a position designed for the support of the instructional program in a public school of this state must hold an appropriate South Carolina teaching credential issued by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). A SCDE certificate is issued when candidates complete an approved certification pathway and meet all application criteria.
Please note that the certifying of related educational professionals in the areas of Audiology, Nursing, and Social Work is remanded to the established certifying boards effective July 1, 2000. Individuals employed as trade and industrial teachers are required to meet all general certification requirements except where specified otherwise (R 43-50).
Certificate Fields & Endorsements
SCDE certificates are assigned fields and endorsements that determine which grades, subject areas, and settings the holder may serve in for South Carolina public school employment. Prospective educators are encouraged to plan in advance which fields and endorsements they will pursue for initial certification purposes. Depending on the type of certificate held, educators may be eligible to add fields and endorsements to their original assignments.
Pathways to Certification
All pathways to certification require candidates to submit an application, submit a non-refundable application fee payment, and complete the fingerprinting process. In addition, each pathway has a unique set of supporting documents that must be submitted to complete the candidate's application process. Please visit the How to Apply page to review and begin the process.
The Office of Educator Services is available to provide guidance and support to prospective educators and certification candidates. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding pathways to certification or the certification process.
The following pathways may lead to the issuance of a standard certificate in South Carolina:
- Out-of-State Certification Pathway. Candidates that hold a current, standard certificate issued by the Department of Education of another state, a United States territory, or the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DODDS), may be eligible to transfer their out-of-state certification to South Carolina in a process known as reciprocity.
- Traditional Preparation Program Pathway. Candidates that complete an approved preparation program offered through a regionally accredited college/university may be eligible to apply for certification in their field of preparation. International educators may have their out-of-country preparation programs and coursework evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service for consideration as part of their initial certification application process.
- Alternative Program Participant Pathway. Candidates that hold a bachelor's (or higher) degree, but who have not completed an approved preparation program through a regionally accredited college/university, may be eligible to participate in an alternative route certification program and work toward standard, Professional certification while simultaneously holding employment in a South Carolina public school.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Work-Based Program Participant Pathway. Candidates with industry experience in career and technology fields may qualify for program enrollment. Participants teach their vocation in secondary (grades 9-12) public school settings in South Carolina while simultaneously working toward Professional certification.
- Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Pathway. Candidates that hold a valid South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (SC LLR) SLP license may apply for a SCDE certificate to provide SLP services in a South Carolina public school setting.
In addition, the following specialized pathways are available for eligible candidates. Please note that certificates issued based on these pathways may include restrictions or stipulations for maintenance and advancement.
- International Visiting Teachers Program Pathway. Educators currently living in a country with which the United States of America have established a Memorandum of Understanding may seek sponsorship to temporarily gain certification and teach in South Carolina through the International Visiting Teachers Program.
- Montessori Program Pathway. Candidates that hold a Bachelor's degree and have completed a program approved by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) may be eligible to apply for initial certification to serve in Montessori classroom settings in South Carolina public schools.
- Advanced Fine Arts Pathway. Candidates that have an approved degree in Art, Dance, Music, or Theater and two years of experience in their given field may be recommended by an employing South Carolina public school district for certification through the Advanced Fine Arts pathway.
- Internship Certification. Candidates that are currently enrolled in an internship program through an institution of higher education must hold an Internship certificate during their placement in a South Carolina public school district.
- Adjunct Certification. A South Carolina public school seeking to hire a locally-identified content area expert may request an Adjunct certificate on behalf of the candidate.
