Learn how to become an Education Administrator or School Principal in South Carolina.
The South Carolina State Department of Education issues Administrative Certificates to qualified applicants for the following positions: Elementary School principal and Supervisor (Tiers 1 and 2), Secondary School principal and Supervisor (Tiers 1 and 2), and District Superintendent.
Academic Obligations
Elementary School principal & Supervisor – Tier 1:
- Master’s degree
- Completion of an advanced state-authorized education administrator program for the training of elementary school principals and supervisors
Elementary School principal & Supervisor – Tier 2:
- Finish the School principal Induction Program in your first year as an elementary school principal
Secondary School principal & Supervisor- Tier 1:
- Master’s degree
- Completion of an advanced state-authorized education administrator program for the training of secondary school principals and supervisors
Secondary School principal & Supervisor- Tier 2:
- Finish the School principal Induction Program in your first year as a secondary school principal
District Superintendent
- Master’s degree
- Completion of an advanced state-authorized education administrator program for the training of school superintendents
Assessments
Elementary School principal & Supervisor – Tier 1:
Elementary School principal & Supervisor – Tier 2:
- Obtain a rating of Proficient or Exemplary in the Program for Assisting, Developing and Evaluating School principal Performance in your second year as a school principal
Secondary School principal & Supervisor- Tier 1:
Secondary School principal & Supervisor- Tier 2:
- Obtain a rating of Proficient or Exemplary on the Program for Assisting, Developing and Evaluating School principal Performance in your second year as a school principal
District Superintendent:
Classroom Teaching Experience Requirements
Elementary School principal & Supervisor- Tier 1:
- South Carolina Professional Teaching Certificate (elementary level)
- 3 years of teaching experience in grades PK-8
Secondary School principal & Supervisor- Tier 1:
- South Carolina Professional Teaching Certificate
- 3 years of teaching experience in grades 7-12 (secondary level)
District Superintendent:
- South Carolina Professional Teaching Certificate
- 3 years of experience as a PK-12 or post-secondary educator
- Two years of experience as a school administrator
Documents and Application Requirements
Once you have met educational, assessment and experience obligations, you may apply for an administrative certificate online. Submit the following materials to the Office of Educator Certification:
- Official, sealed college transcripts
- Application fee
- Electronic fingerprinting (see below)
- Copies of Praxis score reports
- Recommendation for educator certificate verifying successful completion of a South Carolina education administrator preparation program
- Authentication of Teaching Experience form
- Copies of your South Carolina Professional Certificates
Background Check Requirements
Before you acquire your education administrator license, you must undergo a criminal history background check.
State Contacts
For additional info on education administrator preparation programs in South Carolina, make contact with these institutions directly.
For additional info on administrative licensure in South Carolina, make contact with the South Carolina State Department of Education Office of Educator Certification, Recruitment and Preparation at 803-896-0325.
