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What would it take to make teaching your next career?
If You’re a Former Teacher
A second act as a teacher can bring deeper connection, new opportunities and fresh perspective and purpose to your education career. Whether you’re a former or retired teacher, SC has options for you to easily step back into the classroom.
Retired, but want to keep your hand in the game? South Carolina’s Retired Educator Certificate is designed to make it easy. This certificate is good for five years and allows you to substitute teach part- or full-time. If you want the option to return as a regular classroom teacher, a Retired Educator Certificate also lets you keep your Professional teaching certificate active.
To qualify for the Retired Educator Certificate, you’ll need to:
- Have had a valid Professional teaching certificate when you retire.
- Not have another current educator certificate in South Carolina.
- Have never had a certificate suspended, revoked or surrendered.
- Belong to the South Carolina Retirement System OR be a former participant in the State Optional Retirement Program.
- Meet all teaching certificate qualifications.
You may have heard about earnings limits for retired educators. But did you know you can waive the earnings limit if you teach in a critical need subject or school? Get more info in our FAQs.
Has your Professional teaching certificate expired within the last ten years? You can still renew it! Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Apply for a one-year Professional certificate extension. This gives you an active teaching certificate for the coming school year.
- If your certificate has been expired for less than five years, you can apply for an extension yourself through the Department of Education.
- If your certificate has been expired for between five and ten years, a school employer will need to request an extension on your behalf.
- Note: An extension is NOT the same as a renewal. To fully renew your certificate, you’ll need to complete your required professional development, or “Renewal Credits.” You can work on your Renewal Credits during your extension year. The Department of Ed links to Renewal Credit options on their Renewing a Professional Certificate page.
Do you have a Professional teaching certificate that expired more than ten years ago? Learn about your next steps in our FAQs.
Help students connect what they learn to what they could become. Research in career and technical education links teachers with industry backgrounds to stronger student outcomes, including attendance, grades and graduation. (1)
If You’re Changing Careers
If you haven’t taught before, you’ll need to get certified. A bachelor’s degree OR vocational work experience can get you there faster! Get an overview of how you can qualify for alternative certification pathways.
If you’re an experienced professional with at least a bachelor’s, you may qualify for alternative teacher certification. Alternative certification programs often take less time and money than traditional teaching programs.
With alternative certification, you’ll lead your own classroom while you earn your teaching certificate. Here’s the short version of the steps you’ll take:
- Decide what subject and grades you want to teach.
- Apply to alternative certification teaching programs.
- Find a teaching job in a South Carolina school district.
- Get your alternative route certificate.
Our Alternative Certification Guide has more information!
If you have experience in a trade or vocational field, you may qualify to teach a Career and Technical Education, or CTE, subject.
As a CTE teacher, you may be able to start teaching without a degree. “Work-based certification” is a program that lets you start teaching and earning your certificate right away. Eligible fields include automotive repair, cosmetology, digital art and design, skilled trades, law enforcement and many more.
CTE is a shortage area in South Carolina. As a CTE teacher, you’ll be starting a career with job options, and you’ll have an opportunity to make a real difference for our state’s students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find Your Next Teaching Job
Take the next step in your education career!
Visit the TeachSC Jobs page to learn about different types of education roles, and to explore a statewide job board with roles in teaching, classroom support, administration and more.
What’s next
About Certification in South Carolina
Learn how to earn your SC teaching certificate in our comprehensive step-by-step guide. TeachSC is your No. 1 source for teaching in South Carolina.
Read MoreSouth Carolina Teacher Salary (What You Need To Know) | TeachSC
If you’re wondering about South Carolina teacher salaries, check out our guide. TeachSC is your No. 1 source for information on teacher certification.
Read MoreReferences
- Theobald, R., Goldhaber, D., & Moore, E. M. (2024). CTE teachers and non-test outcomes for students with and without disabilities. Teacher Education and Special Education, 47(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/08884064231180595
- “Educator Pay Data 2026.” National Education Association. September 10, 2026. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educator-pay-and-student-spending-how-does-your-state-rank
- Critical Need Areas - South Carolina Department of Education. https://ed.sc.gov/educators/recruitment-and-recognition/critical-need-areas/#retire
