Explanation of the Plan
 

The purpose of the new Certificate Renewal Plan is to provide a method that certified educators employed by the district with a contractual agreement can use to apply a broad range of relevant professional development activities to meet their certification renewal requirements. South Carolina state statute and State Board of Education regulations require that a teacher have a valid certificate in the area(s) he or she is teaching.  It is the sole responsibility and the contractual obligation of the employee to maintain a valid certificate.  For additional information about certification issues, please visit State Department of Education Office of Teacher Certification.

It is a systematic method to integrate the requirements of employment with evaluation and professional development to support the goals of teachers, districts, school renewal and strategic plans.

click here for definitions
 

How to Earn Renewal Credits
 

All educators are required to earn 120 renewal credits during the validity period of their certificate.  Educators are responsible for keeping official documentation of participation in renewal activities.  For recertification credits to be earned, activities must meet eligibility criteria as described in the S.C. Renewal Credit Matrix.

All administrators employed in a South Carolina public school district must complete a minimum of twenty (20) renewal credits (out of the required 120 renewal credits) during each five-year validity period in professional development activities that are designed to enhance their skills in supporting and encouraging teachers as professionals.  (South Carolina Board of Education, Regulation 43-165.1, Program for Assisting, Developing, and Evaluating Principal Performance (ADEPP).)  For example, attending Institute for Learning training, Cognitive Coaching training, or the Center for Creative Leadership provide administrators with knowledge and skills to support and encourage the professional growth of their teachers.  To ensure that administrators receive appropriate credit, please follow the pre-approval process outlined in Step 2 below (How to Renew a Certificate).

Renewal Option Matrix

Click on Option Description for more information.
 

How to Renew a Certificate
 

1. You must have a Professional or Grade A Certificate to renew your certificate through Richland One. 
   
             Teachers who have a One-Year Extension on their certificate must
             contact the State Department of Education Office of Teacher Certification
             in order to renew your certificate. 
   
             Teachers who have a Trade and Industry Career and Technology           Work-Based Experience Certificate must contact the
             State Department of Education Office of Teacher Certification in order to
             renew your certificate. 
   
             Retirees and substitutes who are not under contract with Richland One
             must contact the State Department of Education Office of Teacher
             Certification in order to renew their certificates.
    

2. Professional development activities that are eligible for renewal credit are above and beyond normal job duties and responsibilities.  The following activities are NOT intended for renewal credit

association membership/leadership activities

committee/board meetings

business meetings

required work experience

entertainment and recreation

travel

unsupervised study

3. If an activity requires pre-approval (see Renewal Option Matrix), the correct form must be completed and signed. 
   
   Pre-approval Forms: 
   To download the Pre-Approval Form, right-click and select Save target as.
   Option 5  - Instruction
   Option 6  - Professional Training
   Option 7  - Professional Assessor/Evaluator
   Option 8  - Mentorship, Supervision, or Instructional Coaching
   Option 9  - Educational Project, Collaboration, Grant, or Research
   Option 10 - Professional Development Activity (Non-CEU Credit)
   Option 11 - Professional Development Activity (CEU Credit)
   
   In the event an activity is not accepted during the pre-approval process, the educator has the right to select another activity or appeal within six months.  The appeal form must first be submitted to the educator's supervisor.  The educator's supervisor must submit the appeal on-line by completing the appeal form and attach the denied pre-approval request.  These documents must be e-mailed to the Director of Certified Employment Services, Dr. Beryl Brooks-Goines at bbrooks-goines@richlandone.org.
    

4. Complete activities for renewal credit.
    

5. At the completion of the activities, the educator obtains the appropriate verification form and/or signature and required documentation as listed on the Pre-approval Form(s).
    

6. After earning 120 renewal credits, the educator completes the Recertification Computation Sheet, attaches all verification forms and documentation, and presents the materials to the school-level contact.  (To download the Recertification Computation Sheet, right-click and select Save target as.)
    

7. The Recertification Computation Sheet, verification forms, and completed Request for Change/Action Form are forwarded to the designated school's renewal contact for final approval.  Documents not approved and signed by the renewal contact will be returned to the educator.
    

8. The school's renewal contact then forwards the Recertification Computation Sheet to the Office of Certified Employment Services in Human Resource Services for certificate renewal.  Recertification Computation Sheets (with documentation) may be submitted at any time. The educator is responsible for keeping copies of any documents that have been submitted.  To ensure that a certificate is renewed prior to its expiration date, it is suggested that documentation is submitted no later than April 30 of the expiration year.
    

What is my Certification Status?
 

Visit the SDE's Division of Teacher Quality website -- Teacher Certification Database Inquiry.

South Carolina Department of Education, Division of Teacher Quality
https://www.scteachers.org/apps/mycert/logon.cfm

Click on Certification Status.

to top

Who is Richland One's Certificate Renewal Coordinator?
 

Dr. Beryl Brooks-Goines, Ph.D.
Director of Certified Employment Services
Human Resource Services
(803)231-7426
bbrooks-goines@richlandone.org

to top

Who is the Certificate Renewal Contact for my School?

The Certificate Renewal Contact person is the teacher's point-of-contact for questions regarding the Certificate Renewal Process.  Certificate Renewal Contact person assists teachers with pre-approval forms, receives and reviews the documentation that is attached to the Certificate Renewal Form prior to submitting the forms to the school principal.  The Certificate Renewal Contact person maintains communication with the Office of Certified Employment Services regarding renewal questions.