South Carolina Department of Education
1429 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803.734.8500
FAX: 803.734.3389
Email: [email protected] Website: http://ed.sc.gov
South Carolina Department of Education
Division of Federal, State, and Community Resources Office of Educator Services
8301 Parklane Road
Columbia, SC 29223
Phone: 803.896.0325
FAX: 803.896.0368
Email: [email protected] Transcript email: [email protected]
Website: http://ed.sc.gov/educators/teaching-in-south-carolina/
South Carolina State Education Licensing Requirements:
Applicants who have completed an approved educator program but do not currently hold a valid, profession out-of-state certificate must complete the following steps in order to gain South Carolina certification: 1.
Complete the certification application online (https://apps.ed.sc.gov/apps/olca/olcastart.cfm) or on paper (http://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/educators/certification/forms/LicensureApplication2015.pdf), complete the electronic fingerprint process (http://ed.sc.gov/educators/teaching-in-south-carolina/aspiring- educators/applying-for-certification/submitting-application-materials/), submit the non-refundable $105 processing fee online (https://apps.ed.sc.gov/apps/olca/ccfpver.cfm) or by check/money order. 2. Submit a copy of your SSN by mail or FAX. Submit official transcripts by mail or by email at [email protected]. 3.
Submit a College Recommendation Form (http://ed.sc.gov/educators/certification/certification- forms/forms/college-recommendation/) signed by your designated college official. 3. Submit passing scores for the required Praxis II specialty area exams. Submit passing score of the Principles of Learning and Teaching in the specific grade level.
Applicants with a current standard Department of Education license/certificate issued by another state may be eligible for certification through South Carolina's reciprocity agreement. South Carolina currently has reciprocity with the Department of Education for Pennsylvania to provide a smooth transition to South Carolina teacher certification. Please see http://ed.sc.gov/educators/teaching-in-south-carolina/out-of-state- teachers/reciprocity-faq/.
See http://ed.sc.gov/educators/teaching-in-south-carolina/out-of-state-teachers/reciprocity-experience- procedures/ for more details on the following certifications:
Initial Certification
Educators who hold a current standard out-of-state certificate in a comparable area without the required experience will receive an initial certificate in South Carolina and will be subject to induction and ADEPT requirements (formal evaluation while teaching) and the appropriate Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) examination.
Professional Certification
Educators who present a current standard out-of-state certification/certificate are eligible for a comparable South Carolina professional certificate if they have at least three school years of teaching experience credit in an acceptable position in the last seven years on that valid standard certificate.
Please visit http://ed.sc.gov/educators/certification/ for more information. The South Carolina Department of Education may be contacted at 803.896.0325 for educator certification questions or by email at [email protected]. It is highly recommended that you contact this office to confirm this information.
Please note that requirements are subject to change. You may find more licensing information for each state at https://www.ed.gov.
SRU Teacher Candidates MAY use their PA certifications to apply for comparable certifications in this state DEPENDING ON THIS STATE’S DEPT. OF ED’S POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS. See above.