Extensions update a Professional certificate to be valid for the current school year or upcoming school year (depending on when the extension request is submitted to the South Carolina Department of Education). Educators may hold positions requiring certification while completing remaining renewal requirements during their extension year. Extensions are effective from July 1st to June 30th of the extension school year.

Only one extension is granted during a renewal cycle. If a certificate is extended, a school year is subtracted from the validity of the new Professional certificate upon renewal (i.e. the renewed certificate will be valid for four school years instead of five). Extensions for a Professional certificate may be requested up to ten school years beyond the certificate’s expiration date.

• To request an extension for a Professional certificate that has been expired for less than five school years, submit a request using My SC Educator Portal. Extensions for the upcoming school year are not accepted prior to January 1st.
• To request an extension for a Professional certificate that has been expired for more than five school years, the request must be submitted by the appropriate personnel in an employing South Carolina public school district on the educator's behalf.