Application Requirements for Foreign Applicants
Foreign teachers applying for Professional or Initial Certification must meet the same requirements as a local teacher and must submit a completed application as indicated below. Foreign applicants are individuals with appropriate immigration status or visa such as H-1B visa (work visa), lawful permanent resident (Green Card) etc.
The South Carolina Office of Educator Certification does not review documents from other countries. Therefore, to apply for certification, a detailed course-by-course translation and evaluation report of foreign transcript(s) stating degree equivalency from an approved agency must be submitted as part of the application. Approved agencies can be found on the following website http://www.naces.org/.
Applicants for Professional or Initial Certification who have foreign transcripts or other credentials may also consult with appropriate personnel at a regionally accredited college approved for teacher education purposes or which has programs approved for teacher education by the South Carolina State Board of Education to determine if requirements are met in the certification area.
Applicants must present passing scores for the required specialty area exam and the appropriate Principles of Learning and Teaching exam before a certificate can be issued.
The following documentation must be submitted:- Competed application with all required documents. An application packet can be requested at the following website. Certification Application Packet
- A copy of a United States Social Security card. Applicants must have a United States Social Security number before an application will be processed.
- A copy of the visa or documentation showing valid immigration status.
- A copy of the course-by-course credentials translation and evaluation.
- Official transcript(s) from all institutions attended.
- Verification of teaching experience, form can be obtained from the following website Verification of Teaching Experience form.
- Copy of foreign teaching license, if applicable.
- Approved program recommendation form, if applicable.
- Complete the electronic fingerprint process.
- $75.00 fee made payable to the SC State Department of Education (no cash, please).