American Board is a non-partisan and non-profit organization established by the United States Department of Education. In June 2007, the South Carolina General Assembly passed the American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence Act, which allows state public school districts or public charter schools to hire individuals who use the American Board process to obtain a South Carolina teaching certificate.
To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit the South Carolina American Board website.
Certification Fields
The following certification fields are offered by American Board:
Middle Level (Grades 5-8)
- Middle Level Language Arts
- Middle Level Mathematics
- Middle Level Science
High School (Grades 9-12)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Science
Eligibility
To be eligible for an alternative certification program, all applicants must first meet the general eligibility requirements in addition to any requirements set by the program. To review the general eligibility requirements, please visit the webpage Guidance for Prospective Alternative Route Certification Program Participants.
Potential candidates for American Board must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. American Board does not require a major in the intended certification area. For more information regarding eligibility, please visit the South Carolina American Board website.
Certification Overview
Individuals interested in American Board will apply directly to the program provider. If eligible and enrolled, candidates are required to pass the American Board Content Area and Professional Teaching Knowledge Examinations. Once the required tests and the American Board completion certificate are earned, candidates will follow the application requirements for certification with the South Carolina Department of Education. After completion of the application process, and confirmation of employment in the certification field, candidates will be issued their first American Board Alternative Route Teaching Certificate and become program participants.
Participants who complete all program requirements after three years of program involvement will be issued a Professional Teaching Certificate.
Enrollment Inquiries
The South Carolina Department of Education does not facilitate eligibility evaluation or program participation for American Board. For information regarding this approved alternative certification program, please contact info@americanboard.org.
