Elementary School Teacher / South Carolina
2026 data South Carolina board official source

South Carolina Elementary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Instructs students in grades K-6. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the South Carolina data shows for Elementary School Teachers

South Carolina's path to elementary school teacher licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. South Carolina folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Education".

The initial price tag is $81, and renewal costs $60 every 5 years. Maintaining the license requires 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For elementary school teachers, the reciprocity picture is: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
64/100
Elementary School Teacher · South Carolina

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B-
$81
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$12/yr
$60 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Education
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$81
Renewal Fee
$60
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Elementary School Teacher All South Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Elementary School Teacher in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina requires, passing an exam (State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)), and an initial fee of $81. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Elementary School Teacher in South Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed elementary school teacher in South Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Elementary School Teacher license to South Carolina from another state? ▼
Elementary School Teacher licenses generally reciprocate as follows: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The South Carolina licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Elementary School Teacher licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the elementary school teacher licensing process in South Carolina. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Elementary School Teacher in South Carolina? ▼
To stay licensed as an elementary school teacher in South Carolina, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $60.

Related Guides

What to do with this elementary school teacher license

Elementary School Teacher in South Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an elementary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Carolina licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.