Renewing a Professional Certificate
An educator who has advanced to a Professional certificate, typically valid for five school years, must earn 120 renewal credits during that five-year period to renew the certificate.
Options for earning renewal credit depend on an educator’s employment status and are outlined in the State Board of Education (SBE) Renewal Credit Matrix. As part of these credits, an educator may also need to meet Read to Succeed (R2S) endorsement requirements and Jason Flatt Act suicide awareness training requirements that are established in state statute.
• State Board of Education (SBE) Renewal Credit Matrix
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) Certificate Renewal Matrix is intended to encourage educators, throughout their careers, to engage in meaningful, quality professional development activities that are directed toward promoting student achievement.
All educators, regardless of their employment, may use Options 1-3 of the Renewal Credit Matrix to renew their Professional certificate. These options include:
• College Coursework
• Certificate Renewal Courses Approved by SCDE
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) approved by the SCDE
Educators employed in a South Carolina public school district or a participating renewal entity have an expanded range of relevant opportunities for earning renewal credits, including the many professional development offerings coordinated by their employers. These expanded opportunities are outlined in Options 4-11 of the Renewal Credit Matrix and allow educators to earn renewal credits for: • Professional Publications
• Instructional Activities (e.g., teaching a college course)
• Professional Trainings
• Serving as a Professional Assessor or Evaluator
• Mentorship, Supervision, or Instructional Coaching
• Educational Projects, Collaborations, Grants, or Research
• Professional Development Activities (e.g., conferences, workshops, task forces)
• Professional Development CEU Credits
The Renewal Credit Options webpage provides detailed information about each of the renewal opportunities for earning renewal credits. This page also includes a list of SCDE-approved professional development course providers.
Additional information regarding certificate renewal may be found on the following webpages:
• Jason Flatt Act Requirements
• Read to Succeed Requirements
• Requesting Professional Certificate Renewal
• Request a Professional Certificate Extension
Please send all certificate renewal documents to Human Resources. You may contact us, should we be of assistance. Conchita Bostick, Director of Human Resources at (803)903-1029 or via email at HCSD-HR@hcsdsc.org.
