The certificate renewal system for renewing an educator’s certificate permits the certificate holder to develop an individual plan that will contribute to and guide his or her continued learning and growth as an educator. The integrity of this system is based upon the conviction that all license holders accept the responsibility and are committed to continual planning and completion of professional development activities leading to self-improvement.

All continuing contract teachers must receive a comprehensive evaluation during their year of recertification, or every five years, whichever is sooner. Most continuing contract teachers recertify every five years; their comprehensive evaluations will occur at least once every five years in the year of recertification, or more frequently at the discretion of the supervisor.

National Board Certified teachers must receive comprehensive evaluations at least once every five years, even if their South Carolina recertification is less frequent.

Renewing a Professional Certificate

Professional certificates are issued for up to five school years and may be eligible for renewal.

What are the requirements to renew my certificate?

Time Frame Requirement

Educators must earn a minimum of 120 renewal credits within the following time frames in order to meet renewal requirements:

Valid certificates must meet requirements within their current certificate's validity;

Expired Professional certificates must meet all renewal requirements within the five year period prior to their formal request for renewal.

Example: If a Professional certificate was valid from 2013-18 and the educator requests renewal during the spring semester of 2019, their time frame for eligible renewal credits is spring semester 2014 to spring semester 2019.

Jason Flatt Training Requirement

Educators working in a South Carolina public middle or high school setting must satisfy the Jason Flatt Act suicide awareness training requirements before their Professional certificate can be renewed. Educators may complete this requirement through:

• Their employing South Carolina public school district's approved suicide awareness trainings; or

• The South Carolina Department of Mental Health's Signs Matter: Early Detection training; or

• The Jason Foundation's Mental Health Issues Surrounding Suicidal Ideation (Module 2) training.

• Pre-Approved R2S Endorsement Coursework

Elimination of the Graduate Course Requirement

Effective beginning June 26, 2020, Regulation 43-55 will be amended to remove the requirement of a graduate course for certificate renewal for educators who do not hold a master's degree. 

• Educators employed in a South Carolina public school are encouraged to contact their employing school district regarding their updated renewal eligibility and to request renewal processing.

• Educators not employed in a South Carolina public school district and who have completed all other renewal requirements may submit a Request for Change/Action Form to be re-evaluated for certification renewal eligibility.

Renewal Computation Sheet                           
Request for Change/Action
Renewal Matrix

Pre-Approved Renewal Coursework

The South Caroline Department of Education (SCDE) has established partnerships with various educational entities which provide professional development coursework and graduate coursework opportunities for Professional certification renewal. All coursework (except as noted) offered by these providers are pre-approved for earning renewal credits. For information on course enrollment, scheduling, costs, content, or credit type, please contact the coursework provider:

VirtualSC Professional Development

SCETV Professional Development

PBS TeacherLine Southeast Professional Development
Facilitated only; self-paced PBS TeacherLine coursework is not approved for renewal

TeacherStep Professional Development

In addition to coursework offered through SCDE pre-approved providers, all coursework pre-approved for meeting endorsement requirements are also pre-approved for earning renewal credits.

Requesting Pre-Approval of College or University Credit

Educators are encouraged to seek pre-approval for any coursework or programs they seek to complete for renewal purposes. For formal course approval, please submit a detailed course description along with a Request for Change/Action Form. The Office of Educator Services does not offer course approvals via phone call or email.

For Additional Information

Can I request an extension or renew my certificate after it has expired?

Do retirees need to meet renewal requirements to maintain certification?

Does National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification affect my renewal procedures?

Contact Information:

Anita Nolan
Phone: 843.479.4016
Fax: 843.479.9680