Retired Educator Certificate
In 2018, the South Carolina General Assembly authorized the Retired Educator certificate to allow retired South Carolina educators to maintain certification for the purpose of substituting without having to meet renewal requirements. The Educator Assistance Act of 2025 amends the Retired Educator certificate to become a lifetime credential, allowing a retired South Carolina educator to maintain certification for the purpose of returning to employment with a school district on a full- or part-time basis. The Retired Educator certificate is initially issued for a period of five school years and may be maintained every five years by submitting the required request to the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE).
Eligibility Criteria
An educator is initially eligible for the Retired Educator certificate if that individual
- held a valid South Carolina renewable, Professional certificate at the time of retirement;
- does not hold any other valid South Carolina educator certificate;
- has never held a valid certificate that has been suspended, revoked, or voluntarily surrendered;
- meets all other qualifications to serve as a certified educator as specified in state statute, regulation, and guidelines; and
- is either a retired member of the South Carolina Retirement System or a current or former participant in the State Optional Retirement Program who would have met eligibility requirements under the South Carolina Retirement System had the individual participated in that system instead.
An individual issued a Retired Educator certificate may not hold any other type of South Carolina educator certificate.
Application Timeline for Educators with a Valid Professional Certificate
A retired educator who holds a current, renewable Professional certificate may apply for the Retired Educator certificate beginning May 1 of the year in which the Professional certificate will expire on June 30. To be issued the Retired Educator certificate with an effective date of July 1 that same year, all application requirements must be on file with the SCDE Office of Educator Services by November 1. For example, a retired educator whose Professional certificate will expire on June 30, 2026, may apply for the Retired Educator certificate as early as May 1, 2026. To be issued the Retired Educator certificate with an effective date of July 1, 2026, all required documentation must be on file with the SCDE Office of Educator Services no later than November 1, 2026.
Application Timeline for Educators with an Expired Professional Certificate
A retired educator whose Professional certificate has expired may apply for the Retired Educator certificate provided the credential was valid at the time of retirement. The educator must submit all required documentation for issuance of the Retired Educator certificate and complete the fingerprinting process pursuant to Section 59-25-115.
Application Procedures
To apply for the Retired Educator certificate, the individual must:
- complete an application through My SC Educator Portal;
- submit a $30 application fee;
- upload a copy of a verification of retirement letter issued by the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) and confirms the date of retirement; and
- if required, complete the Fingerprinting and Criminal Records Check process.
- Individuals who do not hold a valid South Carolina educator certificate at the time of application for the Retired Educator certificate must complete the fingerprinting and criminal records check process.
- Individuals who hold a valid South Carolina educator certificate at the time of application for the Retired Educator certificate are not required to complete the fingerprinting and criminal records check process.
For assistance in submitting the application for the Retired Educator certificate, please contact the SCDE Office of Educator Services.
Maintaining the Retired Educator Certificate
Beyond the initial five-year validity period, an educator is eligible to maintain the Retired Educator certificate without meeting certificate renewal requirements in State Board Regulation 43-55, Renewal of Credentials, by submitting a My SC Educator portal request for each subsequent five-year period. The request to maintain the certificate may be submitted as early as January 1 of the year during which the Retired Educator certificate will expire on June 30.
Professional Development and Employed Retired Educators
Retired educators who are employed in a South Carolina public school district must still participate in district-required professional development. Nothing in the Educator Assistance Act exempts an educator from taking part in professional development required by the public-school employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The SCDE Office of Educator Services will update all current Retired Educator certificates in the coming months.
No. You must wait until the year your Professional Certificate expires. When you apply for the Retired Educator certificate at that time, you will not need to meet any renewal requirements.
You may apply for the Retired Educator Certificate so long as you held a valid Professional Certificate at the time you retired.
No. The statute requires a valid Professional certificate at the time of retirement.
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for the Retired Educator certificate. The Educator Assistance Act states that individuals whose certificate has been previously suspended, revoked, or surrendered are not eligible for the Retired Educator Certificate. You may maintain your Professional certificate by meeting standard renewal requirements.
An educator who works under the retired certificate must work under the agreement and rate of pay established for this purpose by the hiring district. The Employment and Dismissal Act applies to teachers under a Continuing contract.
