Professional certificate renewal procedures vary based on an educator's current employment status. Review the categories below and follow the instructions that apply to your situation.
Employed in a South Carolina Public School District
Educators employed by a South Carolina public school district should submit all renewal documentation, including certificates of completion and official transcripts, to the district's Human Resources Office.
The district's designated renewal coordinator has access to South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) certification records and can process certificate renewals directly. Renewal requests submitted directly to the Office of Educator Services by district employees will not be accepted.
Employed in a Renewal Entity
Educators employed in a South Carolina Renewal Entity should submit all certificates of completion, official transcripts, and other renewal documentation to the employer's designated renewal coordinator.
Renewal coordinators are trained to advise educators on renewal requirements and will submit Renewal Computation Sheets to the SCDE to award renewal credit for eligible activities.
If you are unsure who your employer's renewal coordinator is, please contact the Office of Educator Services for assistance.
Employed in an Office of the SCDE
Educators employed by an office of the SCDE may receive renewal credit for activities they complete in addition to expected duties.
To qualify, a director or deputy director must verify that the activity was successfully completed and was not a requirement for the educator's employment position.
Complete the SCDE Employee Request for Renewal Credit Approval form and attach supporting documentation for review.
Employed and Certified Out-of-State
Educators who are certified or licensed and working as an educator in another state or jurisdiction (e.g., a U.S. territory or the Department of Defense Education Activity) may utilize an additional renewal option.
Eligible educators may renew their certificate by submitting a request for renewal through their My SC Educator Portal, along with documentation of a qualifying out-of-state educator credential and one year of qualifying professional educational experience.
Review the Renewal Credit Options webpage to determine whether your out-of-state educator credential and experience meet the eligibility requirements.
Required Documentation
Otherwise Employed
This option applies to educators who hold a renewable Professional certificate but do not qualify under any of the categories listed above.
This may include educators employed by private schools, colleges or universities, daycare centers, nursery schools, private companies, non-education organizations, third-party education contractors, or out-of-state education employers that do not meet the requirements of the out-of-state certification option.
Required Documentation for Certificate Renewal:
- Submit a request for renewal using My SC Educator Portal
- Submit verification of course completion
- If you completed coursework through a college/university for credit, submit Official Transcripts
- If you completed SCDE pre-approved renewal coursework or activities, activities approved for adding certification fields and endorsements, or clinical licensure requirements for School Psychologist and Speech-Language Pathologist licensure, please upload your documentation of successful activity completion using My SC Educator Portal
- If you renewed or qualified for National Board certification (NBPTS), please upload a copy of your NBPTS certificate using My SC Educator Portal
If you earned renewal credit while employed by a South Carolina public school district or Renewal Entity and those credits were not reported, contact the employer's renewal coordinator to request that they be evaluated and processed.
The SCDE does not independently evaluate professional development activities for renewal credit eligibility.
