Education Requirements

Elementary School Principal & Supervisor – Tier 1:

• Master’s degree
• Completion of an advanced state-approved program for the training of elementary principals and supervisors

Elementary School Principal & Supervisor – Tier 2:

• Complete the Principal Induction Program in your first year as an elementary principal

Secondary School Principal & Supervisor- Tier 1:

• Master’s degree
• Completion of an advanced state-approved program for the training of secondary principals and supervisors

Secondary School Principal & Supervisor- Tier 2:

• Complete the Principal Induction Program in your first year as a secondary principal

District Superintendent

• Master’s degree
• Completion of an advanced state-approved program for the training of school superintendents

Examinations

Elementary School Principal & Supervisor – Tier 1:

• Pass the Praxis II Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision exam

Elementary School Principal & Supervisor – Tier 2:

• Receive a rating of Proficient or Exemplary on the Program for Assisting, Developing and Evaluating Principal Performance in your second year as a principal

Secondary School Principal & Supervisor- Tier 1:

• Pass the Praxis II Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision exam

Secondary School Principal & Supervisor- Tier 2:

• Receive a rating of Proficient or Exemplary on the Program for Assisting, Developing and Evaluating Principal Performance in your second year as a principal

District Superintendent:

• Pass the Praxis II Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision exam

Experience Requirements

Elementary School Principal & Supervisor- Tier 1:

• Valid South Carolina Professional Teaching Certificate at the elementary level
• Three years of teaching experience in grades PK-8

Secondary School Principal & Supervisor- Tier 1:

• Valid South Carolina Professional Teaching Certificate at the secondary level
• Three years of teaching experience in grades 7-12

District Superintendent:

• Valid South Carolina Professional Teaching Certificate at the elementary, middle or secondary level
• Three years of experience as a PK-12 or post-secondary teacher
• Two years of experience as a school administrator, school district administrator, post secondary administrator, or school business administrator

Documents and Application Requirements

Once you have met educational, examination and experience requirements, you may apply for an administrative certificate online. Send the following documents 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 completion of a South Carolina administrator preparation program
• Verification of Teaching Experience form
• Copies of your South Carolina Professional Certificates

Mail all of the above to:

Office of Educator Services
South Carolina Department of Education
8301 Parklane Road
Columbia, SC 29223

Criminal History Background Check

Because you have already held an initial teaching certificate in South Carolina and have undergone the criminal history background check and fingerprinting process, this need not be repeated.

Contact Information

For more information on administrator preparation programs in South Carolina, contact these colleges and universities directly.

For more information on administrative certification in South Carolina, contact the South Carolina State Department of Education Office of Educator Certification, Recruitment and Preparation at 803-896-0325.