Education Licensure Information for South Carolina

You could complete an initial teacher licensure program from ACE and apply it to South Carolina’s out-of-state licensure requirements to obtain your initial certification in Early Childhood Education (PK-3), Elementary (2-6), Middle (5-8) or High School (9-12).

South Carolina has a program pre-approval process for educators. Prior to beginning a program, educators must request approval using My SC Educator Portal. Once a program approval request is submitted, educators must upload a PDF copy of the program description information to the portal, which can be obtained from ACE by emailing [email protected]. Approval for online programs cannot be given via phone or email.

You must also pass the applicable Praxis content test(s). After you receive your exam scores, you will send an official score report to [email protected] along with the Verification of Educator Preparation Recommendation for Certification Form. The ACE Certification Office will process the form and send it to the South Carolina Department of Education for inclusion with your application.

For the most current information about becoming a teacher in South Carolina, please check the South Carolina Department of Education website.

Please note: Per South Carolina, previous experience credit is not acceptable. South Carolina residents must complete the student teaching course.

You could complete ACE’s M.Ed. in Educational Leadership or Certificate in Principal Preparation (if you already possess a master’s degree) and apply it to South Carolina’s out-of-state licensure requirements to obtain your Principal Endorsement in South Carolina.

South Carolina has a program pre-approval process for educators. Prior to beginning a program, educators must request approval using My SC Educator Portal. Once a program approval request is submitted, educators must upload a PDF copy of the program description information to the portal, which can be obtained from ACE by emailing [email protected]. Approval for online programs cannot be given via phone or email.

After you complete your ACE program, you must register for and take the required certification exam for South Carolina. After you receive your exam scores, you will send an official score report to [email protected] along with the College Recommendation Form – Service and Leadership Fields. The ACE Certification Office will process the form and send it to the South Carolina Department of Education for inclusion with your application.

For the most current information about becoming an administrator in South Carolina, please check the South Carolina Department of Education website.

You could complete ACE’s M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners or Certificate in Teaching English Learners and apply it to South Carolina’s requirements to add an English for Speakers of Other Languages (PK-12) endorsement to your South Carolina license.

South Carolina has a program pre-approval process for educators. Prior to beginning a program, educators must request approval using My SC Educator Portal. Once a program approval request is submitted, educators must upload a PDF copy of the program description information to the portal, which can be obtained from ACE by emailing [email protected]. Approval for online programs cannot be given via phone or email.

An examination/assessment is not required to add an endorsement.

You must satisfy additional requirements, including:  

• Providing official transcripts documenting all applicable coursework 
• 15 practicum hours, which must include experiences working directly with students whose primary language is not English (a waiver can be granted to students who have prior experience) 

For the most current information on this endorsement in South Carolina, please check the South Carolina Department of Education website.

Please note: Completion of an ACE program does not guarantee eligibility for licensure or certification in South Carolina. Requirements are determined by the South Carolina Department of Education and evaluated on an individual basis.