Expired Professional Certificates/Renewal
A South Carolina professional teaching credential that has been expired for less than five (5) years may be extended upon written request from the educator to the Office of Teacher Certification. This nonrenewable extension is valid for one (1) year, during which time the educator must submit verification of having fulfilled all current requirements for renewal of the Professional Certificate. All educators employed in a SC public school district can utilize all matrix options provided they correspond with his or her professional growth and development plan, and the employing district's policy. All other educators will continue to earn renewal credit in college/university work or SDE recertification courses in that educator's certification area, technology, Special Education or in a new area of certification.
Upon verification that all requirements have been met, the employing district will enter the earned credit, and then request the SDE-DEQL to complete the renewal of the certificate when the educator has completed 120 renewal credits. If not employed by a SC public school district, official documentation and request is sent by the educator to the SDE - DEQL certification office. The Professional Certificate will be renewed for the remainder of the validation period from the date the request is received(i.e., four additional years).
A credential that has been expired for more than five (5) years, but less than ten (10) years may be extended for a maximum of one (1) year at the request of the school district that intends to employ the educator. During this one-year extension, the educator must submit verification of meeting all current requirements for renewal of the Professional Certificate in the area in which they are teaching. Educators employed in a SC public school district can utilize all matrix options provided they correspond with his or her professional growth and development plan, and the employing district's policy.
Upon verification that all requirements have been met, the employing district will enter the earned credit, and then request the SDE-DEQL to complete the renewal of the certificate when the educator has completed 120 renewal credits. If not employed by a SC public school district, official documentation and request is sent by the educator to the SDE - DEQL certification office. The Professional Certificate will be renewed for the remainder of the validation period from the date the request is received (i.e., four additional years).
After a credential has been expired for more than ten (10) years, the educator must either reapply for initial certification under the current requirements or satisfy current interstate reciprocity requirements.
Special requirements - Any educator who has not earned a Master’s degree must earn sixty renewal credits in graduate - level coursework to renew the current certificate. Educators who hold a Career and Technology Work Based Certification only are not required to fulfill the graduate-level coursework requirement.