South Carolina Teacher License Renewal: Requirements and How to Complete It

Renewing a South Carolina teaching certificate is simpler than most teachers expect once you understand the state's renewal credit system. South Carolina doesn't count hours or CEUs. Instead, it uses renewal credits, and the requirement is the same for nearly every Professional Certificate holder: 120 renewal credits every five years. This guide explains how to renew a teaching certificate in South Carolina step by step, from figuring out how many credits you have to submitting your renewal, and what to do if your certificate has already expired. For the bigger picture on initial certification, reciprocity, and salary Classes, see our South Carolina Teacher Certification: The Complete Guide. If you've taught in other states too, our overview of teacher license and certification renewal explains how renewal works across the country.

Who Needs to Renew a South Carolina Teaching Certificate?

Renewal applies to the Professional Certificate, the standard certificate most experienced South Carolina teachers hold. It is valid for five years, and the renewal requirements below apply to each five-year cycle.

If you hold an Initial Certificate, your next step is usually advancement rather than renewal. Initial Certificates are valid for three years, and during that time teachers work toward a Professional Certificate by teaching in a South Carolina public school, completing their district's induction program if required, passing a summative ADEPT evaluation, and submitting a qualifying pedagogy assessment score. Once you hold a Professional Certificate, the five-year renewal cycle begins.

South Carolina Certificate Renewal Requirements at a Glance

Your Renewal Credit Options

South Carolina lets educators earn renewal credits in several ways. The two you'll hear about most are college coursework and district- or SCDE-approved professional learning.

Option 1: College Coursework

Graduate-level courses from a regionally accredited college or university count toward renewal when they relate to your certification field or professional goals and you earn a C or better. Each semester hour is worth 20 renewal credits. South Carolina accepts college credit from any regionally accredited institution, with no separate provider pre-approval required, which makes this the most flexible option for most teachers. Our guide to graduate credits for South Carolina teacher license renewal explains exactly what qualifies. It's also the only option that works the same way whether or not you're currently employed in a South Carolina public school.

District and SCDE-Approved Activities

Other renewal options cover approved professional development, mentoring, instructional coaching, educational projects, and professional publications. Credit values vary by activity, and these options are mainly available to educators employed in South Carolina public schools, since districts document and approve them. If you plan to rely on these activities, ask your district how they're tracked and how many credits each one is worth before you count on them.

The Renewal Credit Math

Because one graduate semester hour equals 20 renewal credits, the arithmetic is simple:

Many teachers spread their coursework across the five-year cycle, taking one course every couple of years. Others complete both courses in a single summer. Either approach works, as long as the credits are earned in time for your renewal.

How to Renew Your Teaching Certificate in South Carolina, Step by Step

1. Check your certificate and expiration date. Log in to the My SC Educator Portal and confirm your certificate type, the fields it covers, and when it expires. This tells you how much time you have to earn your credits.
2. Count the renewal credits you already have. Add up any graduate coursework and district-approved activities completed during your current cycle. Remember that each graduate semester hour counts as 20 credits.
3. Plan the rest early. If you need college coursework, choose graduate-level courses from a regionally accredited institution that relate to your teaching field or professional goals. Leave enough time for transcripts to arrive before your deadline. Our guide to the best online courses for South Carolina teachers can help you choose.
4. Complete your coursework with a C or better. Request an official transcript from the university once your grade posts.
5. Complete required statutory training. Make sure your Jason Flatt Act suicide awareness training and any Read to Succeed requirements that apply to you are complete. They're required on top of the 120 credits, not counted toward them.
6. Submit your renewal. If you're employed in a South Carolina public school, submit your documentation to your district, which processes the renewal through the My SC Educator Portal. If you're not currently employed in a South Carolina public school, submit directly to the SCDE Office of Educator Services through the same portal.
7. Confirm the renewal. Check the My SC Educator Portal to make sure your certificate shows the new expiration date, and keep copies of your transcripts and documentation.

What If Your South Carolina Certificate Has Already Expired?

An expired Professional Certificate isn't necessarily the end of the road. South Carolina allows renewal of an expired Professional Certificate for up to ten school years past its expiration date, as long as your renewal credits were earned within the five years before you apply. Beyond ten years, you'll generally need to reapply for certification under current requirements.

If your certificate lapsed recently, start by checking your status in the My SC Educator Portal and counting which of your credits fall inside that five-year window. Two graduate courses completed now could be all you need.

Renewal and a Raise From the Same Coursework

The graduate courses that renew your certificate can also count toward a higher salary Class on your district's schedule. South Carolina's state minimum salary schedule pays more for each higher Class. At entry level, the FY 2026–27 state minimum is $50,500 for a teacher with a Bachelor's degree and $56,000 for a teacher with a Master's degree plus 30 graduate hours, and districts pay local supplements on top. Our South Carolina teacher salary schedule guide shows the full breakdown, and how teacher salary lanes work explains the mechanics.

Renewal approval and salary Class approval are separate decisions, though. The state decides what counts for renewal, while your district decides what counts toward a Class change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I renew a teaching certificate in South Carolina?

Earn 120 renewal credits during your five-year cycle, complete the Jason Flatt Act training and any Read to Succeed requirements that apply to you, and submit your renewal through the My SC Educator Portal. Employed educators submit through their district; others submit directly to the SCDE Office of Educator Services.

How many renewal credits do I need in South Carolina?

You need 120 renewal credits every five years to renew a Professional Certificate. Graduate coursework is worth 20 renewal credits per semester hour, so 6 semester hours covers the full requirement.

Do online graduate courses count for South Carolina certificate renewal?

Yes, as long as they're graduate-level courses from a regionally accredited college or university, relate to your certification field or professional goals, and you earn a C or better. Delivery format doesn't change how the credits count.

Can I renew an expired South Carolina teaching certificate?

Yes, for up to ten school years past the expiration date, provided your renewal credits were earned within the five years before you apply. After ten years, you'll generally need to reapply for certification.

Do the Jason Flatt Act and Read to Succeed requirements count toward my 120 credits?

No. They're separate statutory requirements that must be completed in addition to your renewal credits. Check with your district or the SCDE for the timeline that applies to you.

The Bottom Line

Renewing a South Carolina teaching certificate comes down to 120 renewal credits every five years, plus the required statutory training. For most teachers, two graduate courses from a regionally accredited university are the most straightforward way to get there, and the same transcript may move you up your district's salary schedule at the same time. Check your expiration date, plan your credits early, and submit through the My SC Educator Portal with time to spare.